PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rock Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Markakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Machine might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hell Yeah. On his way into the cage it seems that Rock Machine has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rock Machine seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Machine
vs
Markakis

180 cm
22
150 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
154 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rock Machine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Markakis!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machine closes the distance and clinches.
Markakis lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Markakis manages to pull guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Machine slips nicely into half guard.
Machine wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markakis keeps working.

Machine is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Markakis defends it well.

Machine decides to return to a standing position.
Markakis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Markakis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machine.
Machine throws a nice head kick!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markakis.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markakis gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Machine to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Machine is looking to work some ground and pound but Markakis has wrist control.

Machine decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Markakis misses with a hook. Machine ducked under it nicely.
Machine seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A nice combination there by Markakis.

Machine closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Markakis did well to prevent Machine getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markakis tries to get to full guard but Machine has control of the leg.
Machine throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Markakis is looking for a sweep. Machine is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machine trying to work for an americana but Markakis has managed to regain full guard.

Machine decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Markakis, up you get!
Markakis misses with a few strikes there.

Machine drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Machine is looking to work some ground and pound but Markakis has wrist control.
Markakis looks winded!

Machine decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Markakis, up you get!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machine.

Machine clinches with his opponent.
Markakis lands a left hand that snaps the head of Machine backwards.
Machine looking to throw knees to the head but Markakis is blocking nicely.
Machine trying to control the position but instead, Markakis has worked for underhooks and has pushed Machine into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine tries to work over Markakis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Markakis fails to pull guard.
Machine has Markakis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Markakis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Markakis lands a shoulder strike.
Knees to the body from Machine.
Machine is trying to pull guard but Markakis has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rock Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Machine escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markakis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machine's waist but Machine gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Markakis off to one side.
Markakis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Markakis is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Machine.
Machine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machine shoots in for a takedown but Markakis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Machine swinging wildly here.

Machine moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Machine's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Markakis misses with a series of wild punches.
Machine misses with a body shot.
Markakis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Markakis shoots in for a takedown but Machine shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machine connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Machine tries to score a power double leg takedown but Markakis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machine somewhat.
Markakis loads up on a big right hand but Machine slips the punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markakis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machine shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Machine dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck for Markakis with that takedown attempt.
Markakis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Markakis moves in looking to clinch but Machine pushes him off.
Markakis takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Markakis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Markakis wants it to stay on the feet.
Markakis misses with a jab, cross combination.
A bone on bone clash there as Machine blocks the leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Machine!

Machine closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Markakis did well to prevent Machine getting side control.
Machine throwing shots but Markakis is blocking nicely.
Markakis is not content to let Machine control the position.
Markakis is breathing heavily.
Machine is really struggling to control Markakis but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Nice strikes from Machine there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine thows a huge punch but Markakis dodges it nicely.
Machine is stalling here. Markakis is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Machine seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Markakis has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Machine's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Machine is trying to get back to half guard.
Markakis tries to advance to mount but Machine denies him.
Machine has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine struggling a bit here.
Machine prevents Markakis from moving into mount.
Machine is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Machine regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machine gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markakis is looking to stand up but Machine won't let him.
Machine tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machine trying to keep a closed guard but Markakis is proving a slippery customer.

Machine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Machine is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markakis trying to control the position from guard on top but Machine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nick Markakis wasn't active enough on the ground.
Machine throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Machine shoots for a takedown but Markakis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rock Machine is winning the standup battle so far.

Machine shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Markakis is trying to defend but Machine finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rock Machine overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Machine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Machine dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Markakis throws a looping overhand right but Machine ducks down to avoid it.
Markakis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Machine moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machine shoots in for a double leg but Markakis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Machine thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Markakis if he has to take too many more of those.
Machine fakes the leg kick and cracks Markakis in the body.
Machine shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Machine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markakis manages to avoid it.

Markakis gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Machine to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Markakis has momentary wrist control but Machine slips an elbow through the middle.
Machine wants to pass the guard but Markakis is keeping the position.
Machine wants to control from the top but Markakis keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine postures up in Markakis's guard and throws a big left but Markakis blocks it.
Markakis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Machine slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Machine works to advance to full mount. Markakis defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Markakis is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Machine wants to control the pace but Markakis is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine throws some wild stikes that Markakis manages to avoid easily.
Machine thowing shots but they're missing.
Markakis is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Markakis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machine putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Machine trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Machine working for a guillotine from mount but Markakis is in no mood to give up.
Markakis felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine landing punches.
Machine throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Markakis tries to lock up and control but Machine gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Machine pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Markakis is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Markakis holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Machine tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Markakis bucks Machine off and manages to get back to his feet!
Rock Machine is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machine dodges the punch combination from Markakis.
Machine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Markakis as he avoids it easily.
Nick Markakis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rock Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Machine looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Markakis!
Markakis wants to get back to his feet but Machine is dominant here and he's now got Markakis's back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rock Machine showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Machine 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rock Machine!
A relieved looking Rock Machine thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.