PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cesar Cueto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Machida
vs
Cueto

186 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
200 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cesar Cueto!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cueto tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Cueto throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Cueto gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cueto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Cueto breaks the clinch.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Cueto pushes Machida up against the cage in a clinch.

Cueto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cueto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Machida moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Cueto moves out of range easily.
Cueto throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.
Cueto wants to clinch.
Cueto moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida checks a leg kick.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cueto throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cueto throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida scores with a punch to the head.
A head kick from Machida lands but Cueto takes it in his stride.
Cueto wants to clinch.
Cueto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machida ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cueto throws a push kick but Machida slaps the foot to one side.
Machida throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cueto's head.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cueto throws a sloppy head kick
and Machida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.
Cueto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida misses with a kick to the body.
Cueto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida jabs Cueto right on the nose. Cueto blinks but takes it well.
Cueto looks gassed!
Cueto on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Machida. Machida obviously looking to wear him down.
Cueto throws a lazy body kick
and Machida counters with a good, hard body kick but Cueto shrugs it off.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick

and Cueto counters by clinching up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cueto misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machida.
Machida fails to pull guard.
Cueto is trying to break free.

Cueto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida lands a jab to the head.
Machida lands a head kick!
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Cueto moves out of range easily.
Cueto closes the distance looking to clinch
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cueto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida works over Cueto's head and body with a nice combination.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.
A head kick from Machida lands but Cueto takes it in his stride.
Machida lands a high kick!
A head kick by Cueto misses
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Nice body kick from Machida.
Machida throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A jab from Machida does it's job there.
Machida throws a head kick but Cueto moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Machida.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Machida.
Cueto takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cueto blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a good cross that connects.
Cueto takes a kick to the side of the head.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cueto.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cueto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Machida scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.
Machida bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Cueto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Machida is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Machida connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cueto throws a leg kick
and Machida counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto 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 lands with a slapping head kick.
Cueto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Machida swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cueto checks a low kick from Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida throws a head kick but Cueto moves out of range.
Machida looks to land a combination but Cueto avoids it well.
Cueto tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Machida counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A low kick from Cueto misses
and Machida counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machida lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.

Cueto gets a clinch.

Cueto breaks from the clinch.
Cueto throws a combination that misses
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Cueto thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Machida throws a head kick that Cueto semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cueto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cueto thows a body shot but no joy.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Machida lands but Cueto takes it in his stride.
Machida lands a head kick!
Cueto throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cesar Cueto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cueto blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Cueto throws a push kick but Machida slaps the foot to one side.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cueto misses with a kick to the body
and Machida counters with a head kick.
Cueto throws a leg kick that is checked
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Cueto shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cueto tries to clinch up.
Cueto throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Machida counters with a three punch combo that has Cueto backing up. Cueto nods at Machida to acknowledge the strikes.

Cueto forces Machida back against the cage and clinches.
Machida wants a takedown but no success here.
Machida tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Cueto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cueto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
A low kick from Cueto is predictable there
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cueto throws a hook to the side of Machida's head but Machida sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Machida.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Cueto moves out of range easily.
Machida lands a nice looking body kick.
Lyoto Machida is winning the standup battle so far.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Cueto looks for the body kick but Machida saw that one coming.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Cueto moves out of range easily.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Cueto moves out of range easily.
Machida misses with a shot to the body
and Cueto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cueto tries to clinch up.
Machida misses with a head kick.

Cueto has closed the distance and engaged Machida in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Machida tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cueto smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida thuds his shin into the meat of Cueto's side.
Cueto has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Machida.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt
and Machida counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Cueto is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Machida connects with a high kick.
Cueto blocks a head kick by Machida.
Cueto blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida lands a head kick. Cueto smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Cueto has Machida up against the cage in a clinch.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Machida can't get the takedown.

Cueto breaks the clinch.
Machida throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cueto's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Machida slips a straight right by Cueto.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Cueto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cueto wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Cueto misses with a series of wild punches.
Cueto tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
Cueto blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Cueto throws a leg kick that is checked
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cueto wants to clinch.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Cueto shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Machida.
Machida thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cueto if he has to take too many more of those.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cueto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cueto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Machida jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Machida throws a head kick but Cueto moves out of range.
A low kick from Cueto is predictable there
and Machida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Cueto counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machida keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cueto ducks right into an uppercut from Machida.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Nice body kick from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cueto throws a lazy head kick
and Cueto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machida throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Machida!
Cueto walks into a stiff left hand from Machida.
Cueto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machida throws a head kick but Cueto moves out of range.
Cueto throws a lazy head kick
and Machida counters with a head kick.
Cueto misses with a body kick.
Machida throws a lazy head kick

and Cueto holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Machida fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Machida fails to pull guard.

Cueto breaks the clinch.
Cueto takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Cueto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cueto looks to clinch
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Cueto thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Cueto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cueto takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cueto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Cueto tries to clinch up but Machida circles away and keeps his distance.
Cueto throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
A head kick by Cueto misses
and Machida counters with a left and a right that stings Cueto.
Cueto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cueto moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida lands a high kick!
Machida lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cueto tries to clinch but Machida moves away
and Machida counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cueto wants to clinch.
Cueto throws a sloppy head kick
and Machida counters with a series of strikes. Cueto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cueto clinches but Machida breaks the clinch
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Cueto thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Cueto has closed the distance and engaged Machida in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Machida.

Cueto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida scores with a push kick.
Cueto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Cueto moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cueto is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Cesar Cueto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lyoto Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cueto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machida is able to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machida, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

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