PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Spider Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drake Vonstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vonstein has chosen Seether - Remedy as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Spider Machida has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machida
vs
Vonstein

188 cm
27
223 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

184 cm
32
223 lbs
16 - 14 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Revolution Fatigues

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 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Spider Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Drake Vonstein!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida's corner calls for a 1-2. Machida obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Machida.
Machida stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machida wants it to stay on the feet.
Machida digs a good body shot into Vonstein's ribs.
Machida leaves Vonstein with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Machida throws a right hand that misses

and Vonstein counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vonstein trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vonstein throws a big right hand that misses.
Vonstein throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vonstein in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Vonstein from controlling successfully.
Machida knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vonstein on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vonstein.
Vonstein wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Drake Vonstein has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vonstein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Spider Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vonstein looks for a takedown but Machida sprawls well.
Spider Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Vonstein.
Machida scores with a jab to the body.
Vonstein throws a head kick that misses.
Machida rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vonstein moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big left from Machida misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vonstein.
Machida lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vonstein circles away quickly and effectively.
Vonstein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Machida.
Machida misses with a hook.
A leg kick checked by Vonstein.
Machida tests Vonstein's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vonstein changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Machida looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Machida defending against the ground and pound.
Machida dodges the ground and pound from Vonstein.
Vonstein throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Machida works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Vonstein is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vonstein trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machida pulls Vonstein in close to prevent any damage.
Vonstein's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vonstein trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Drake Vonstein will probably get the nod.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vonstein slips a jab from Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vonstein tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Machida walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vonstein checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vonstein avoids a kick to the body.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jab by Machida.
Vonstein fails with a takedown attempt.
Machida throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a shot to the body.
Vonstein has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Machida finds it's way round the side to connect with Vonstein's head.
Machida throws a right hand that misses

and Vonstein counters with a shoot takedown. Machida fights it but they end up in guard.
Vonstein wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Vonstein engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Vonstein tries to free his leg and advance position but Machida is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vonstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Drake Vonstein wasn't active enough on the ground.
Machida dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vonstein. That did some damage!
A swing and a miss from Machida.
Machida tries to bum rush Vonstein with a series of wild strikes but Vonstein uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vonstein shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Spider Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Vonstein.
Good standup being displayed there by Vonstein as he connects with a hook.
Vonstein misses with a head kick.
Machida blocks a head kick by Vonstein.
Machida lands a jab to Vonstein's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Vonstein is breathing heavily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Vonstein tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
Machida wants to clinch.
Vonstein tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
A jab lands there for Machida.
Vonstein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Nice jab there from Machida.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vonstein is defended easily by Machida.
Spider Machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Vonstein is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice cross by Machida.
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!
Vonstein sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Machida lets loose with a powerful body kick. Vonstein will feel that in the morning.
Vonstein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vonstein drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Vonstein scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vonstein in side control, throwing shots but Machida defends.
Machida is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spider Machida dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machida feints and then cracks Vonstein's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vonstein down.
Machida dips to his left and cracks Vonstein with an uppercut!
Machida lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Machida lands a right hook to the body.
Machida connects with the punch.
Machida lands a leg kick that knocks Vonstein off balance momentarily.
Nice sprawl there from Machida as Vonstein shoots in.
Machida cracks the inside of Vonstein's front leg.
Vonstein shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Machida sprawls well. Machida wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vonstein gets slowly back to his feet.
Vonstein dives in and grabs Machida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes down on Vonstein's head and hops out.
Spider Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Vonstein.
Vonstein takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vonstein on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Vonstein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Decent striking displayed by Machida there.
Machida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A thudding body kick lands there by Machida!
Machida with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Machida digs a good body shot into Vonstein's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vonstein closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Left hook, right uppercut from Machida.
Machida digs a good body shot into Vonstein's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands a nice looking body kick.
Machida lands a jab to the head.

Vonstein tries to keep at a distance but Machida has taken the fight into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Machida.
Machida is working Vonstein over against the cage.
Machida lands with a short shot to the head.
Machida pushes Vonstein back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vonstein is trying to pull guard but Machida has him pressed against the cage.
Vonstein fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Machida lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Drake Vonstein has been cut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Machida creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Machida lands with a light punch inside.
Machida softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Machida.

Vonstein is rocked!
Vonstein blocks a body shot from Machida.
Vonstein is still on wobbly legs! Can Machida finish him?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to throw a body punch but Vonstein avoids it by throwing Machida back against the cage.
Vonstein seems to have recovered his senses.
Machida with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Machida lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Machida can't find room to land a body shot as Vonstein controls the action.
Machida misses with the head strike.
Machida throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left lands for Machida.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Spider Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Machida has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spider Machida!
Spider Machida seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.