PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rurik Kokovtsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machdoor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machdoor comes into a darkened arena with his song building. AVICI - LEVELS kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rurik Kokovtsov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kokovtsov
vs
Machdoor

183 cm
30
181 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

180 cm
30
184 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Fast

Ultimate Fighting Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rurik Kokovtsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machdoor!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kokovtsov scores with a shot to the body.
Machdoor tries to clinch but Kokovtsov moves out of range.
Machdoor is looking to chop away at Kokovtsov's legs.
Machdoor slips under a jab from Kokovtsov.
Machdoor throws a series of punches but Kokovtsov moves out of range.
Rurik Kokovtsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kokovtsov misses with a body shot.
Kokovtsov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kokovtsov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kokovtsov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machdoor.
Machdoor throws a leg kick but Kokovtsov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kokovtsov throws a looping overhand right but Machdoor ducks down to avoid it.
Kokovtsov lands the left hand.
Kokovtsov misses with a head kick.

Machdoor shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kokovtsov's guard.
Kokovtsov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Machdoor is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machdoor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kokovtsov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machdoor prevents Kokovtsov from getting back to his feet.
Machdoor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Machdoor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Machdoor is stalling in the full guard.
Machdoor wants to pass the guard but Kokovtsov is keeping the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kokovtsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Machdoor moves away.
Machdoor shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor walks into a jab.
Kokovtsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Machdoor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kokovtsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Machdoor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machdoor throws a nice looking combination but Kokovtsov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machdoor moves out of range as Kokovtsov throws a body kick.
Kokovtsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Machdoor to counter with a crisp jab.
Rurik Kokovtsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machdoor closes the distance and clinches up with Kokovtsov, looking for a takedown. Machdoor pushes Kokovtsov against the cage but Kokovtsov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rurik Kokovtsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machdoor.
Machdoor takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kokovtsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Machdoor shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kokovtsov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kokovtsov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ground and pound from Machdoor seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokovtsov pushes Machdoor away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Machdoor gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kokovtsov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kokovtsov tries to get out of the position.
Machdoor tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machdoor working the body and head with strikes.
Machdoor landing a few strikes.
Kokovtsov prevents Machdoor from moving into mount.
Kokovtsov tries to escape but Machdoor is in control.
Machdoor looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kokovtsov is avoiding damage well.
Machdoor is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Machdoor working the ground and pound.
Machdoor throws an elbow but Kokovtsov slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kokovtsov is trying to buck Machdoor off.

Machdoor tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Machdoor has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
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!
Kokovtsov defending against the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kokovtsov sneaks out the side door and pushes Machdoor away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Kokovtsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machdoor.
Machdoor throws a combination that misses
and Kokovtsov counters with a thumping low kick.
Machdoor gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kokovtsov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lyoto Machdoor will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kokovtsov misses with a body shot.
Machdoor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kokovtsov thows a body shot but no joy.
Machdoor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kokovtsov.
Machdoor blocks the body kick.
Machdoor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Machdoor misses with a wild combination.
Machdoor throws a right hand that Kokovtsov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kokovtsov also avoids with ease.
Rurik Kokovtsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machdoor tries for a takedown but Kokovtsov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Machdoor misses with a wild combination.
Kokovtsov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Machdoor. That did some damage!
Machdoor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machdoor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machdoor throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokovtsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kokovtsov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machdoor.
Rurik Kokovtsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machdoor.
Machdoor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kokovtsov swivels and escapes.
Machdoor throws a jab but it's blocked by Kokovtsov.
Kokovtsov lands a two punch combo.
Kokovtsov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Machdoor on the side of the head.
Machdoor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kokovtsov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Machdoor is breathing heavily.
A shot to the liver by Kokovtsov. Beautiful body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kokovtsov scores with a shot to the body.
Kokovtsov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Machdoor.

Machdoor is rocked!
Kokovtsov with a nice cross.
Machdoor is still on wobbly legs! Can Kokovtsov finish him?
Kokovtsov misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kokovtsov looks to land a combination but Machdoor avoids it well.
Kokovtsov tries to land a front kick but Machdoor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Machdoor seems to have recovered his senses.
Machdoor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kokovtsov.
Machdoor misses with a low kick.
Kokovtsov scores with a kick to the body.
Kokovtsov throws a sloppy head kick and Machdoor moves out of range easily.
Kokovtsov scores with a head kick.
Kokovtsov misses with a shot to the body
letting Machdoor counter with a right hand.
Machdoor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Machdoor.
Machdoor tries to bum rush Kokovtsov with a series of wild strikes but Kokovtsov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kokovtsov sprawls well. Kokovtsov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Machdoor gets slowly back to his feet.
Kokovtsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor moves in looking to clinch but Kokovtsov pushes him off.
Machdoor has a takedown stuffed.
Kokovtsov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Machdoor throws a right hand that Kokovtsov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kokovtsov also avoids with ease.
Machdoor avoids the head kick by Kokovtsov.
Kokovtsov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kokovtsov misses with a wild body shot.
Machdoor takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Machdoor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Machdoor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kokovtsov looks to land a combination but Machdoor avoids it well.
Machdoor fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kokovtsov tests Machdoor's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kokovtsov misses with a body shot.
Kokovtsov dodges the punch combination from Machdoor.
No joy there for Kokovtsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kokovtsov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machdoor.
Machdoor takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kokovtsov as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kokovtsov throws an overhand right that lands on Machdoor's shoulder, as Machdoor tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kokovtsov slips a jab and a cross from Machdoor.
Machdoor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kokovtsov circles away.
Kokovtsov throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rurik Kokovtsov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Machdoor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kokovtsov as he jumps to the side.
Machdoor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kokovtsov's waist but Kokovtsov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Machdoor off to one side.
Kokovtsov throws a series of punches but Machdoor avoids them all with ease.
Rurik Kokovtsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Machdoor fails to land with a series of punches.
Kokovtsov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Machdoor drives through with a takedown into guard.
Machdoor trying to control but Kokovtsov is working from the bottom.
Lyoto Machdoor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Machdoor is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Machdoor prevents Kokovtsov from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lyoto Machdoor.
Sloppy strikes from Machdoor. Those never looked like landing.
Kokovtsov misses with a series of wild punches.
Kokovtsov throws a right and a left that Machdoor avoids nicely.
Machdoor throws a nice looking combination but Kokovtsov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice shot lands for Kokovtsov.
Kokovtsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Machdoor.
Kokovtsov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Machdoor shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kokovtsov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kokovtsov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Machdoor is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machdoor works over Kokovtsov with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor advances position into side control!
Machdoor misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Machdoor in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Machdoor wants to control but Kokovtsov is keeping him busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machdoor tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Machdoor scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kokovtsov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Kokovtsov prevents Machdoor from improving position.
Machdoor trying to control the action but Kokovtsov is working from the bottom.
Kokovtsov taking a bit of punishment here - Machdoor scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kokovtsov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Kokovtsov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Machdoor trying to control momentarily.
Kokovtsov controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Kokovtsov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Machdoor.

Kokovtsov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Machdoor gets his way!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is taking a good look at Kokovtsov as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Machdoor!

Machdoor tightening his grip on Kokovtsov, looking for the choke.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kokovtsov trying to get back to his feet but Machdoor is in full control for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machdoor throwing damaging strikes from the back! Kokovtsov could be in trouble here!
Machdoor trying to control.
Kokovtsov wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machdoor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Machdoor has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machdoor!
Our winner, Lyoto Machdoor, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.