PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artemio Bayagris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Machida
vs
Bayagris

186 cm
25
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Artemio Bayagris!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bayagris is defended easily by Machida.
Machida moves in looking to clinch but Bayagris pushes him off.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bayagris looking for a takedown.
Bayagris wants to get back to striking at distance but Machida won't allow it.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bayagris fails with a takedown attempt.
Matt Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artemio Bayagris.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch but Bayagris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Bayagris moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bayagris is defended easily by Machida.
Machida rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bayagris moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bayagris counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Bayagris shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Bayagris circles away.
Nice shot by Bayagris.
Bayagris tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machida is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bayagris.

It looks like Matt Machida has been cut.
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!
Bayagris fails in his attempt to clinch.

Machida moves into the clinch successfully.
Bayagris is working for takedown but Machida is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bayagris manages to avoid it.
Bayagris goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Machida throws a combination. Bayagris tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Artemio Bayagris has been cut.
Bayagris shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bayagris fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Machida is looking to clinch.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bayagris throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machida's waist but Machida gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bayagris off to one side.
Bayagris has a takedown stuffed.
Bayagris looks gassed!
Bayagris swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Machida moves into the clinch successfully.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bayagris has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bayagris jumps guard but Machida turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bayagris is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bayagris throws out a powerful jab.
A shot to the liver by Machida. Beautiful body shot.
Bayagris tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Bayagris wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bayagris misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bayagris tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Machida.
Bayagris tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
Bayagris moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bayagris looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machida is fending him off so far but Bayagris persists. Nope, Machida circles away and we're back to standing.
Bayagris tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bayagris somewhat.
Bayagris shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machida as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Matt Machida will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horrible takedown by Bayagris or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida which made him look bad.
Bayagris tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Machida clinches.
Machida has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Bayagris takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bayagris is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Machida to keep the fight standing.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bayagris looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Good work by Bayagris as he checks the leg kick.
Bayagris tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
Matt Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artemio Bayagris.
Bayagris fails with an attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Machida breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayagris tries to close the distance and clinch up but Machida swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida misses with a wild body shot.
Bayagris shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machida as he avoids it easily.
Bayagris looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bayagris is breathing heavily.

Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida misses with an elbow over the top.

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

Machida darts in and clinches Bayagris up against the cage.
Bayagris tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machida just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bayagris is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Bayagris throws an elbow but it misses.
Bayagris is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Machida to keep the fight standing.
Bayagris missing with knees to the body.

Bayagris pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bayagris manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Machida moves into range and clinches up with Bayagris.
Bayagris tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machida just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Machida's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machida lands with a nice combination. Bayagris backs away looking to recover.
Matt Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machida throws a nice looking combination but Bayagris bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bayagris avoids the head kick by Machida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machida looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bayagris avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bayagris throws a quick inside leg kick.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Machida rushes Bayagris and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Machida throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bayagris blocks it with crossed arms.

Machida manages to break the clinch.

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
Bayagris wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands a nice hook to Bayagris's body. Bayagris takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida misses with an uppercut. Bayagris saw that one coming.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Machida is looking to wear down Bayagris with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Machida fails in his attempt to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bayagris shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Matt Machida is winning the standup battle so far.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Machida dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bayagris cracks Machida with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bayagris shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
Bayagris shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Matt Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artemio Bayagris.
Machida swings for the body but Bayagris moves out of range.
Machida lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bayagris shoots in but Machida avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayagris tries for a takedown but Machida circles away easily
and Bayagris takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bayagris takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machida throws a nice head kick!

Machida moves into range and clinches up with Bayagris.
Matt Machida has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Bayagris misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bayagris shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Machida tries to clinch but Bayagris is having none of it.
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 tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bayagris swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Machida. No joy for Bayagris on that attempt.

A big head kick from Machida and Bayagris is sent sprawling to the canvas!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Machida lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Machida lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Machida scoring with some ground and pound.

Machida stands and steps away. Bayagris gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bayagris avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida wants to clinch.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bayagris tries to clinch but Machida moves away
and Machida makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida misses with a few strikes there.
Bayagris is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bayagris looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machida is fending him off so far but Bayagris persists. Nope, Machida circles away and we're back to standing.
Matt Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machida lands with a kick to the ribs.
Machida scores with a kick to the body.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bayagris keeps the fight on the outside.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Bayagris circles away.
No luck for Bayagris with that takedown attempt.
Machida tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida has managed to clinch.
Machida throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bayagris is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bayagris is trying desperately to land a takedown but Machida is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Bayagris.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
Bayagris is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Matt Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bayagris is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Bayagris shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machida as he avoids it easily.
Artemio Bayagris has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bayagris throws a nice outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Machida has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:28

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