PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Travis Westfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ginchin Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Westfield comes to the cage accompanied by Superbeast. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Westfield
vs
Machida

184 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Travis Westfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ginchin Machida!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.
Westfield is trying to drag Machida to the mat but Machida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Westfield jumps guard and drags Machida to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Machida wants to get up but he can't break Westfield's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Westfield had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Machida is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Westfield Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Machida's back instead.
Westfield tries to get the hooks in deep but Machida pushed the leg off.

Westfield is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Westfield is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Machida is defending well though. Westfield let's go of the attempt for now.

Westfield has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Machida has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida wants to get back to his feet.

Westfield is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Machida is defending well though. Westfield let's go of the attempt for now.

Westfield has got his arm under Machida's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Machida has spun round into Westfield's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Westfield is breathing heavily.

Westfield is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Machida decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Westfield chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Machida can pounce on him.
Westfield takes a kick to the side of the head.

Machida closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Westfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Westfield is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Machida gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Westfield wants a takedown but no success here.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Machida clinches with his opponent.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida lands a head kick!

Machida closes the distance and pushes Westfield back into the cage.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Machida has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Travis Westfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Machida clinches up with Westfield and pushes him back against the cage.
Westfield is working for takedown but Machida is calmly controlling the position for now.

Machida has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Westfield is trying to keep an underhook but Machida manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Machida decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Westfield takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
Westfield can't get the takedown.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Machida gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Machida manages to break the clinch.

Machida pushes Westfield up against the cage in a clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida lands a head kick!

Machida clinches up with Westfield and pushes him back against the cage.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Machida forces Westfield back against the cage and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida lands an elbow just above Westfield 's eye.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Westfield drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Westfield postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Machida is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Westfield, into his guard.

Westfield is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Westfield wants to sweep here but Machida controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Machida decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ginchin Machida dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Machida has closed the distance and engaged Westfield in a clinch.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Westfield fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Westfield tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machida just stands there and leans against the cage.
Westfield has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Machida avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Westfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Westfield jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machida walks away with a smile on his face. Westfield gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
Westfield takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida connects with a high kick.
Westfield takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Machida rushes Westfield and presses him up against the cage.
Westfield jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machida walks away with a smile on his face. Westfield gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Westfield shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Westfield shoots in and drives through. Machida sprawls well.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida lands a head kick. Westfield smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida lands a high kick!

Machida rushes Westfield and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Westfield shrugs it off.
Machida chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Machida fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Westfield, pushing him back against the cage.
Machida wants to stall.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.

Machida's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Machida clinches.

Machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Westfield with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machida counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida lands with a slapping head kick.
Ginchin Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Machida gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Westfield fails to pull guard.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machida throws a leg kick which misses Westfield's front leg but catches the back leg as Westfield tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
Westfield gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
Westfield drops down looking for an ankle pick but Machida pulls his leg out and moves away.

Machida pushes Westfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Machida lands a knee to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Machida lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machida takes the fight into the clinch.
Machida is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Machida lands a nice elbow.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Westfield takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Machida lands with a slapping head kick.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westfield takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Westfield takes a kick to the side of the head.

Machida has closed the distance and engaged Westfield in a clinch.
Machida content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Westfield tries to keep at a distance but Machida has taken the fight into the clinch.
Westfield is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Machida stops a takedown attempt from Westfield.

Machida manages to break the clinch.

Machida clinches up against the cage.
Machida creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Westfield's defenses.
Machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Westfield lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Machida's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Machida lands a high kick!

Machida pushes Westfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Machida's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westfield shoots and misses
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Westfield thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Ginchin Machida seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
Westfield takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida lands a head kick!

Machida gets a clinch.
Machida will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Westfield up against the cage.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Machida drives through and clinches with Westfield against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Machida is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Westfield can't fight it off and eventually Machida manages to take the fight to the floor. Westfield looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Westfield looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machida stands up and waves to Westfield to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ginchin Machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Westfield shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Machida lands a head kick. Westfield smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Machida clinches.

Machida's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Westfield.
Westfield misses with a takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Westfield is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Machida fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Westfield, pushing him back against the cage.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Westfield with a lazy takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a nice leg kick.
Westfield with a poor takedown

and Machida counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Travis Westfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Machida has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Westfield clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Westfield defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Westfield is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westfield manages to reverse the position and now he's in Machida's guard. Nice work there by Westfield.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Westfield drops back, looking for a kneebar! Machida looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Machida looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Machida!
Westfield is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Machida decides to stand up, so the ref orders Westfield to his feet.

Machida clinches with his opponent.
Westfield has Machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida lands a head kick. Westfield smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Machida creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Westfield's defenses.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Westfield tries to clinch but Machida moves away

and Machida moves into the clinch.

Machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Westfield tries to keep at a distance but Machida has taken the fight into the clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Machida has Westfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Machida lands an elbow just above Westfield 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westfield has Machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Westfield takes an elbow to the forehead.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Westfield's head.
Westfield doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machida lands a head kick!
Westfield tries to clinch
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Westfield shrugs it off.
Machida lands a high kick!
Westfield with a lazy takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a head kick.

Machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Travis Westfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Machida has managed to clinch.
Westfield goes for a takedown attempt but Machida pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Machida clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
Westfield tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machida smiles and moves away.
Westfield takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Machida lands a high kick!
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Westfield with a poor takedown
and Machida counters with an inside leg kick.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
Machida connects with a high kick.
Westfield doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Westfield thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A good leg kick by Machida.

Machida drives through and clinches with Westfield against the cage.
Machida manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Travis Westfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ginchin Machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Machida has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 25:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ginchin Machida!