PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mar Vell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Machida The Coward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Coward is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by machida the best. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vell
vs
The Coward

189 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

170 cm
35
192 lbs
34 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mar Vell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Machida The Coward!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Coward throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The Coward thows a left - swing and a miss!
The Coward connects with a solid leg kick.
The Coward lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Vell throws a hook but The Coward blocks it.
Vell blocks the body kick.
The Coward jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The Coward throws the left hand but Vell avoids the punch easily.
Vell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The Coward gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Vell swings for the body but The Coward moves out of range.
The Coward checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vell throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The Coward wants to land a leg kick but Vell is out of range.
Vell misses with a low kick.
The Coward takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Vell takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The Coward misses with a body kick.
Vell looks to throw the jab but The Coward is out of range.
The Coward pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vell is out of range and The Coward settles back down.
Vell misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters circling - The Coward throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vell throws a chopping leg kick but The Coward manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vell dips to his left and cracks The Coward with an uppercut!
The Coward takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vell walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The Coward throws a leg kick but Vell moved away.
A lazy left from Vell finds it's target.
The Coward fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vell manages to avoid it.
Vell throws a solid leg kick but The Coward takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Vell.
The Coward's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vell under the eye.
Vell is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Vell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A good leg kick by The Coward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vell checks a leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for The Coward.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by The Coward.

Vell has closed the distance and engaged The Coward in a clinch.
A short right from The Coward on the inside.
Vell gets through The Coward's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Vell.
The Coward tries to throw a body punch but Vell avoids it by throwing The Coward back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Vell.
The Coward blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The Coward tries to work over Vell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The Coward cracks Vell with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vell tries to score a body lock takedown but The Coward shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Vell.
Vell prevents a body shot from The Coward.
Vell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The Coward trying to stall but Vell improves his position.
Vell struggles to land a body shot inside as The Coward controls his hands.
Vell has a couple of punches blocked by The Coward.
Vell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The Coward blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The Coward blocking some punches.
Vell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vell working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Vell scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Coward tries to throw a body punch but Vell avoids it by throwing The Coward back against the cage.
The Coward tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vell's elbow.
The Coward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vell misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mar Vell dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The Coward comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vell lands a nice leg kick that just misses The Coward's sensitive parts.
Vell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around The Coward's waist but The Coward gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vell off to one side.
Vell lands a lovely overhand right.
The Coward misses with a looping left.
Vell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Coward manages to avoid it.
The Coward throws a big shot that misses.
Vell staying out of range there.
Vell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Vell fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and The Coward has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The Coward moves out of range as Vell strikes.
Machida The Coward is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vell takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Vell is trying hard to land a takedown here. The Coward sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The Coward connects with a leg kick. Vell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vell takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The Coward lands a body shot.
Vell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on The Coward. That did some damage!
Vell slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from The Coward.
The Coward with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vell is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Coward scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vell slips under a jab from The Coward.
Vell swings for the body but The Coward moves out of range.
The Coward lands with a thumping leg kick.
Vell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Machida The Coward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The Coward throws out a leg kick but Vell moves out of range and The Coward only half commits.
The Coward throws a poor cross that misses
and Vell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The Coward misses with a low kick.
Vell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slapping body kick lands there for The Coward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vell. That's going to slow The Coward down.
An inside leg kick from The Coward misses.
Vell staying out of range there.
The Coward fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vell manages to avoid it.
Vell scores with a leg kick.
Vell throws a chopping leg kick but The Coward manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Vell staying out of range there.
Vell lands with a hook. The Coward tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Coward throws an off balance right hand
and Vell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The Coward misses with a body shot
and Vell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The Coward throws a shot from downtown. Vell moves away and avoids it.
The Coward tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vell lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The Coward tries to land a front kick but Vell steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vell tries a head kick but it misses.
Vell scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Machida The Coward will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The Coward stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vell.
The Coward looks to score with a jab to the body but Vell is just out of range.
The Coward's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The Coward will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Vell lands a nice shot that snaps The Coward's head back.
The Coward cracks Vell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The Coward tries to score with a low kick but Vell moves his leg out of the way.
Vell misses with a body shot.
Vell tries to land a front kick but The Coward steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice uppercut lands for Vell. That snapped The Coward's head back.
The Coward scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Coward uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vell.
The Coward lands a nice hook to Vell's body. Vell takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vell avoids the body shot from The Coward.
Vell checks the leg kick.
The Coward misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vell.
Vell blocks a leg kick.
Vell throws a half hearted mid kick.
The Coward throws a head kick that misses.
The Coward walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vell checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The Coward scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vell moves away from the strike by The Coward.
The Coward throws a head kick that misses.
Vell fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and The Coward has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The Coward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Vell has managed to clinch.
Vell misses with some punches.
Vell prevents a body shot from The Coward.
The Coward doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Vell lands with a light punch inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The Coward blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Vell.
The Coward throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vells head.
Vell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Coward.
The Coward blocks a body shot from Vell.
The Coward throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vell takes a shot to the head.
The Coward can't find room to land a body shot as Vell controls the action.
The Coward tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vell's elbow.
Vell prevents a body shot from The Coward.
Vell lands a nice uppercut.
Vell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The Coward tries to throw a body punch but Vell avoids it by throwing The Coward back against the cage.
The Coward tries to stall but Vell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right from Vell.

The Coward is rocked!
The Coward blocking some punches.
The Coward is still on wobbly legs! Can Vell finish him?
Vell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Vell.
The Coward tries to land knees in the clinch but Vell avoids the damage to the body.
The Coward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vell misses with some punches.
The Coward blocks an uppercut.
Vell has a couple of punches blocked by The Coward.
Vell swings wildly with an uppercut but The Coward uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Vell fails to land.
The Coward stalling in the clinch but Vell improves position.
A head punch on the inside from Vell fails to land.
Vell misses with a punch on the inside.
Vell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The Coward has had enough of the clinch but Vell keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vell.
Vell misses with some punches.
Vell misses with some punches.
Vell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vell throws a head punch that misses.
Vell throws a head punch that misses.
The Coward blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vell working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Vell - that landed with a thud.
The Coward can't find room to land a body shot as Vell controls the action.
The Coward seems to have recovered his senses.
Vell misses with a short punch on the inside.
The Coward lands a shot to the body.
Vell misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Vell.
The Coward presses Vell against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The Coward digs a right hand into Vell's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vell's gas tank.
Vell throws a punch but it's blocked by The Coward.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vell has a couple of punches blocked by The Coward.
A short right from Vell.
A right handed body shot lands from The Coward.
The Coward blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mar Vell clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The Coward throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
The Coward looks for the body kick but Vell saw that one coming.
The Coward walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vell.
The Coward takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The Coward misses with a straight right.
The Coward pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The Coward scores with a nice strike.
The Coward misses with a double jab.
Vell slips a straight right by The Coward.
Vell lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Coward steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vell. That one must have hurt.
The Coward is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Vell catches The Coward with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The Coward rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vell counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vell is trying hard to land a takedown here. The Coward sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Vell gets a takedown into half guard.
Vell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The Coward wants to control but Vell is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Coward keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vell lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt The Coward quite badly. The Coward pulls Vell in close trying to recover. Vell postures up and lands two really hard shots that put The Coward on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but The Coward doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mar Vell!
Mar Vell retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Mar Vell thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.