PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Hess (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RikI Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). RikI Machida has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hess
vs
Machida

195 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shane Hess!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, RikI Machida!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hess tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Hess shrugs it off.
Hess closes the distance and lands a one-two.
RikI Machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hess is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machida keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Machida is defended easily by Hess.

Machida moves into the clinch.

Hess breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hess has managed to clinch.

Machida drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Machida is trying to control the position but Hess postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hess is looking to stand up but Machida won't let him.
Hess throws a strike but Machida rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Hess is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hess knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Machida on the ground.
Hess is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hess is looking to stand up but Machida isn't so interested in that idea.
Machida stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hess swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machida throwing strikes from guard but Hess blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida stands and throws Hess's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Machida working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Machida working the ground and pound.
Machida passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hess!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida controlling the position easily from mount.
Machida wants to control the pace but Hess is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hess is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hess is breathing heavily.
Hess is squirming around, avoiding Machida's attempts to control the action.
Machida controlling from mount.
Machida can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hess is looking to escape.
Machida tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida cracks Hess with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RikI Machida dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hess tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Machida shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hess as he jumps to the side.
Machida closes the distance and clinches up with Hess, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes Hess against the cage but Hess circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hess stuffs the takedown.
Shane Hess has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of RikI Machida.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Hess moves out of range as Machida strikes.

Machida pushes Hess up against the cage in a clinch.
Machida on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Hess has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Machida uses from the top position.
Hess is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Machida is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hess is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hess has escaped and now he's on top!
Machida wants to sweep here but Hess controlling him for the moment.

Machida had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hess defends it easily.
Hess trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hess's guard.
Machida has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hess is proving hard to escape from.
Machida passes Hess's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hess wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Machida gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Machida tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hess sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machida somewhat.
Hess avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida rushes Hess and presses him up against the cage.

Machida drags the fight down to the ground.
Machida working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hess.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hess wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Hess won't enjoy being in this position. Machida looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Hess is tapping - it's over boys! Machida picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). RikI Machida!