PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ron Wattson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wattson's entrance music is Weapon Of Choice - Fatboy Slim. A fine choice. Rickson Machado told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Wattson
vs
Machado

195 cm
26
270 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

182 cm
24
275 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ron Wattson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Machado!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado tries to clinch but Wattson is having none of it.
Wattson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wattson throws a nice looking combination but Machado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Machado throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Wattson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Machado is in Wattson's guard.
Wattson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Machado loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Machado drops back looking for a leg! Wattson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wattson manages to kick Machado off! Machado jumps back into Wattson's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wattson 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.
Machado wants to control from the top but Wattson keeps moving.
Wattson trying to control the position.
Wattson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Machado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Machado wants to control from the top but Wattson keeps moving.
Wattson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Wattson looking for a guillotine here but Machado defends easily.

Wattson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Machado defends well.
Machado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Wattson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machado thows a big elbow that misses.
Machado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wattson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Wattson looking for a guillotine here but Machado defends easily.
Machado has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Machado trying to control but Wattson is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Machado is pushing down on Wattson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wattson is fighting to maintain full guard but Machado has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wattson tries to roll over but Machado keeps him under control.
Machado is trying to control. Wattson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wattson punching from the bottom.
Wattson is refusing to be controlled, as Machado sits in half guard.

Wattson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Machado pulls his head out easily.
Wattson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wattson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wattson is staying active underneath Machado, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wattson wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.
Machado throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wattson is refusing to be controlled, as Machado sits in half guard.
Wattson trying to control but Machado postures up.
Machado works his way into full mount!
Machado looking to finish Wattson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Wattson!

It looks like Ron Wattson has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wattson regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Machado there.
Wattson is trying to get back to full guard.
Machado wants to take a breather but Wattson is having none of it.
Wattson wants to get back to full guard.
Machado wants to control but Wattson is keeping him busy.
Wattson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Machado throwing shots but Wattson is blocking nicely.

Machado is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wattson is just riding it out for now. Machado eventually gives up the hold.
Wattson wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Machado dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ron Wattson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A low kick from Wattson is predictable there

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Machado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wattson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Wattson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wattson tries to get to full guard but Machado has control of the leg.
Wattson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.
Machado slips a nice elbow through Wattson's hands, connecting with Wattson's forehead.
Machado tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wattson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Wattson wants to control but Machado is keeping busy.
Machado lands with a punch from half guard.
Machado scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Machado seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wattson is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wattson gets full guard.
Machado lands a couple of digs.
Machado is working Wattson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Machado landing some decent shots from guard.
Machado preventing the sweep.

Machado drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Machado jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Machado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wattson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Machado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Machado throwing strikes from guard but Wattson blocks nicely.
Machado stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wattson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wattson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machado is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wattson is trying to keep Machado in close.
Wattson keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.

Wattson looking for subs off his back but Machado has passed one foot through into half guard.
Machado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wattson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Machado there.
Machado blocks the strikes from Wattson.
Machado wants to control but Wattson is keeping him busy.
Wattson trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Machado drops an elbow to the side of Wattson's head.
Wattson trying to control but Machado postures up.
Machado trying to control the action but Wattson is working from the bottom.

Wattson actively working from the bottom here.
Machado thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wattson's head.
Wattson wants to get back to full guard.

Machado is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wattson defends it well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Machado's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Wattson wants to get back to full guard.
Wattson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rickson Machado has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wattson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Machado won't allow Wattson to sweep him here.
Machado stands and throws Wattson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Machado working the head with strikes.
Machado scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wattson is not content to let Machado control the position.
Machado controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Machado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ron Wattson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Wattson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wattson lands an elbow.
Machado tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Machado is trying to control Wattson's posture but Wattson avoids it.
Wattson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Machado is avoiding damage well.
Machado wants to get back to his feet.
The strikes coming from Wattson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Machado sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Wattson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wattson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wattson is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Machado reverses the position - he's now on top in Wattson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Wattson is retaining full guard.
Machado is fighting to break Wattson's control of his arms but Wattson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Machado keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wattson's head.
Wattson keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.

Wattson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wattson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machado is one step ahead there.

Machado avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Machado slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Machado cracks Wattson with a solid left hand.
Machado slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Wattson is keeping the position.
Wattson wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Machado postures up.
Machado passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Machado working the ground and pound from side control.
Rickson Machado is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wattson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Machado's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado is trying to control the action in half guard but Wattson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Machado with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Let's hope that Machado has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Wattson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Machado scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wattson is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wattson is working hard here to advance position.
Ron Wattson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machado controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rickson Machado was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Wattson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wattson misses with a shot to the body

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Wattson looking for a guillotine here but Machado defends easily.
Machado trying to control but Wattson is working from the bottom.
Machado stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wattson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machado passes Wattson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wattson punching from the bottom.

Wattson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wattson is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rickson Machado comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machado winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickson Machado!