PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thales Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod Kimble (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Machida
vs
Kimble

167 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thales Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rod Kimble!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimble shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense.
Kimble misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kimble fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kimble tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Machida drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kimble dives on top into guard.
Kimble really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Kimble from controlling successfully.
Machida manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Kimble defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida goes for an armbar but Kimble turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kimble.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Machida is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kimble is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Machida has an active guard here but Kimble has managed to pass into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kimble seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Machida does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kimble wants to pass the guard but Machida is defending well.
Kimble seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Machida is staying active underneath Kimble, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Machida is looking to escape.
Machida is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Machida is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kimble pulls his head out easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kimble is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kimble with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Thales Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rod Kimble.

Machida is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kimble is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kimble has escaped and now he's on top!
Kimble stays in close to Machida's body and controls the position.
Machida wants to stand up but Kimble is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Kimble trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kimble drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kimble jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kimble thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Machida keeping full guard, as Kimble tries to pass.
Machida is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Machida is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Kimble is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Thales Machida!