PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mohammad Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (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.

Ali
vs
Machida

150 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mohammad Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ali swivels and escapes.
Ali punishes Machida's body with a nice straight punch.
Ali really is a fat lump.
Some wild striking there from Ali.
Machida fails with the takedown.
Ali shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense.
Ali stuffs the takedown.
Mohammad Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Ali throws a sloppy head kick
and Machida counters with a nice body shot.
Horrible takedown by Ali or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida which made him look bad.
Machida shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ali sprawls well. Ali wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Machida gets slowly back to his feet.
Machida pushes Ali away with a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to clinch but Ali is having none of it.
Machida takes a swing at Ali's ribcage but misses.
Machida misses with a takedown attempt - Ali sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Machida tries to sprawl but Ali drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ali throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ali tries to pass to full mount but Machida defends it.
Ali throwing shots but Machida is blocking nicely.
Machida is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Machida is looking to control Ali's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Machida avoid being mounted?
Ali thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali trying to control from half guard but Machida is working away.
Ali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ali frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ali wants to take Machida's back but he can't do it this time.
Machida tries to hold on but Ali postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali wants to control the pace but Machida is squirming around nicely.
Machida sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ali stalling away here and it's allowed Machida to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ali throws a big elbow that misses.

Machida is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ali is aware though and is defending well.
Ali seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying to keep a closed guard but Ali is proving a slippery customer.
Machida tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ali being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Machida is defended easily by Ali.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammad Ali dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Machida looks for the body kick but Ali saw that one coming.
Horrible takedown by Ali or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida which made him look bad.
Ali shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense.
Machida misses with a leg kick.

Machida has Ali up against the cage in a clinch.

Ali breaks from the clinch.
Machida shoots in looking for a takedown but Ali manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Machida's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Ali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Machida has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ali after a bit of a struggle.
Machida manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Machida changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ali fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mohammad Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida feints and as Ali raises his hands in defense, Machida changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ali is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ali keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.
Ali wants to control the position but Machida says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Machida is keen to just control but Ali is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lyoto Machida.
Ali stuffs the takedown.
Ali tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Ali or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida which made him look bad.

Machida gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ali tries to pull guard but Machida forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Ali jumps into guard, dragging Machida to the mat.
Ali trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ali is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida wants to get back to his feet but Ali is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Ali from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ali throwing strikes but missing.
Ali trying to stand up but can't free himself from Machida's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Mohammad Ali wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Machida works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida wants to clinch.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ali stuffs the takedown.
Ali shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ali's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Machida dives in for a single leg takedown but Ali sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ali looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ali looking for a takedown.
Machida drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ali pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mohammad Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Ali tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ali somewhat.
Ali keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
Ali pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida blocks a head kick by Ali.
Ali shoots for a double leg takedown but Machida sprawls well. He's pushed Ali's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machida dives in and grabs Ali's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ali pushes down on Machida's head and hops out.
Ali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lyoto Machida seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice takedown defense from Ali. No joy for Machida on that attempt.
Machida dives in for a single leg takedown but Ali sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ali keeps control of Machida as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Machida is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali fails to pull guard.

Ali breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nice defenses there by Ali.
Machida will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Ali tries to score a body lock takedown but Machida shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ali rushes Machida and presses him up against the cage.
Ali utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Machida misses with an elbow over the top.
Ali is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Ali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida tries to clinch there but Ali circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali fails to land the takedown.
Machida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ali wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machida takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ali is looking to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ali clinches with his opponent.
Machida tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ali's elbow.
Ali has Machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

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 Mohammad Ali.
I think Ali 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight for Mohammad Ali!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Mohammad Ali!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Mohammad Ali!

Mohammad Ali wins by unanimous decision!