PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Garrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rodrigo Machida
vs
Garrison

183 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Likes comics

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Rodrigo Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Garrison!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machida changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Garrison looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
A lull in the action here.
Garrison tries to escape but Machida is in control.
Machida staying calm.

Machida working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Garrison manages to get back to half guard.
Garrison is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machida's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machida's back!
Garrison tries to get the hooks in deep but Machida pushed the leg off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garrison really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Machida.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida is in bad spot here.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida rolls, trying to escape but Garrison keeps control of the position.
Garrison really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Machida.
Machida controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Machida knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Garrison on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Machida tries to roll but Garrison sticks to his back.
Garrison tries to get the hooks in deep but Machida pushed the leg off.
Machida is trying to get back to his feet but Garrison has full control of the position and if anything, Machida has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Garrison tries to get the hooks in deep but Machida pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida just trying to survive but Garrison is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Garrison is hanging on to Machida's back as he tries to escape.
A lull in the action here.
Machida trying to get back to his feet but Garrison is in full control for now.
Garrison struggling to keep hold of the position.
Garrison has the hooks in. Machida is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Will Garrison go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Garrison tries to get the hooks in deep but Machida pushed the leg off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tony Garrison wasn't active enough on the ground.
Machida looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Garrison dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Machida keeps control of Garrison as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Garrison wants to break the clinch but can't.
Garrison with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Machida tries to break free but Garrison pushes him back against the cage.
Garrison is trying to break free.
Garrison wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machida has him pressed against the cage.
Garrison looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Garrison breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machida looks for a takedown but Garrison sprawls well.

Machida feints and as Garrison raises his hands in defense, Machida changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Garrison wants to stand up but Machida is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Garrison is keeping the position for now.
Machida lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Garrison can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Machida controls the pace.
Garrison wants to stand up but Machida is controlling him.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrison is breathing heavily.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Antonio Rodrigo Machida wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Machida scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Machida throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Garrison's waist but Garrison gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Machida off to one side.

Machida dives in and scores a takedown into Garrison's guard.
Garrison 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.
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!
Garrison can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Machida controls the pace.
Garrison wants to sweep here but Machida controlling him for the moment.
Garrison is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Garrison controls Machida momentarily but Machida frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Machida shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Garrison as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garrison lands a nice leg kick that just misses Machida's sensitive parts.
Garrison moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida shoots in for a double leg but Garrison sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garrison tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machida tries for a takedown but Garrison sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Machida closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Garrison is trying to force a seperation but Machida has the dominant position.
Garrison with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Garrison is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Garrison throws a knee to the head but misses.

Machida wants the takedown. Garrison is fighting it off but Machida persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Garrison's guard against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garrison wants to stand and escape but Machida is having none of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida wanted to stand there but Garrison had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Rodrigo Machida dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Machida closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Garrison is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Machida is controlling him well.
Garrison tries to bench press Machida off him but Machida keeps the position.
Machida wants to lay and pray for a moment but Garrison keeps working.
Machida happy to just control the position for now.

Machida stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garrison displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Machida.

Machida moves into the clinch successfully.
Garrison wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machida has him pressed against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Machida just misses with a elbow thrown towards Garrison's brow.

Garrison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Garrison displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Garrison is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Garrison takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrison avoids the head kick by Machida.

Machida clinches up against the cage.
Garrison wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machida has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Machida.
Garrison looking to throw knees to the head but Machida is blocking nicely.
Garrison avoiding damage as Machida throws knees to the body.
Machida keeps control of Garrison as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Garrison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Garrison tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Machida closes the distance and clinches up with Garrison, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes Garrison against the cage but Garrison circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Garrison wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garrison wants to clinch but Machida slips to the side

and Machida moves into the clinch.

Garrison breaks the clinch.
Machida shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garrison pinned against the cage. Garrison gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garrison tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Machida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Garrison tries to avoid it but Machida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Garrison to the ground. Garrison escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Garrison counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Antonio Rodrigo Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Garrison 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 attempt from Garrison. Garrison gets slowly back to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Garrison.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Garrison looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Garrison is on top in guard.
Garrison wants to get up but he can't break Machida's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Machida looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Antonio Rodrigo Machida.
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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Tony Garrison!
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Antonio Rodrigo Machida!
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight for Antonio Rodrigo Machida!

Antonio Rodrigo Machida wins by split decision!