PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mathew Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benji Macko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benji Macko has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mathew Alexander's chin.

Alexander
vs
Macko

157 cm
21
177 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

176 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mathew Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benji Macko!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Ben Hemmingworth and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macko fails to land the takedown.
Macko dives in and grabs Alexander's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alexander pushes down on Macko's head and hops out.

Alexander gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Macko to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Macko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alexander knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Macko on the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alexander is on top in guard.
Alexander wanted to stand there but Macko had control of the position.
Macko is trying to control the position but Alexander postures up.
Macko is controlling Alexander's posture.

Alexander drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Macko dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control the position here.
Alexander could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Alexander keeps the fight on the outside.
Macko throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Alexander's head.

It looks like Mathew Alexander has been cut.
Macko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Macko persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
Mathew Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Macko.
Macko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Macko persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
Macko is looking to clinch.
Alexander showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Macko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander misses with a head kick.
Macko misses with a low kick.
Alexander lands a head shot.
Macko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Macko persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Macko scores with a head kick.
Macko looks winded!
Macko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Macko persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
Macko misses with a takedown attempt

and Alexander counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Alexander gets to his feet - Macko follows without any prompting.
Macko avoids the head kick by Alexander.

Alexander has Macko up against the cage in a clinch.
Macko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexander has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexander has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Macko uses from the top position.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Macko from controlling successfully.
Alexander pulls Macko in close to prevent any damage.
Alexander might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alexander wants to get back to his feet but Macko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Alexander working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Macko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alexander working for a triangle but Macko defends it easily.
Alexander is pulling down on Macko's head to control his posture.

Macko stands up from Alexander's guard - Macko perhaps looking for a knockout.
Alexander shoots for a takedown but Macko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexander will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benji Macko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mathew Alexander's cut.
That's time! Alexander's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Macko shoots in for a takedown but Alexander shows good takedown defense.
Alexander moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Macko feints a jab promting Alexander to slip. Macko then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Alexander slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Alexander is rocked!
Macko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexander sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Oh Alexander is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Macko dives in and scores a takedown into Alexander's guard.
Alexander looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macko postures up and lands a big shot to Alexander's brow.

Macko decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Alexander, up you get!
Alexander stuffs the takedown attempt from Macko. Macko gets slowly back to his feet.
Mathew Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Macko.
Macko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alexander tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alexander throws a head kick that misses.
Benji Macko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Alexander throws a head kick but Macko moves out of range.
Macko darts in looking for a takedown but Alexander gets double underhooks and turns Macko into the cage.
Alexander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macko tries to pull guard but Alexander forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Alexander throws a head punch that misses.
Macko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Alexander pulls guard successfully.
Alexander has momentary wrist control but Macko slips an elbow through the middle.
Alexander 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.
Macko wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
Macko wants to pass the guard but Alexander is keeping the position.
Alexander seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control the position.
Macko tries to stand but Alexander is controlling from the bottom.

Alexander wriggles free and stands up.
Alexander throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Alexander stuffs the takedown.

Alexander has Macko up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macko has had enough of the clinch but Alexander keeps him there for the moment.

Alexander manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Macko from controlling successfully.
Alexander is trying to control the position but Macko postures up.
Macko trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Benji Macko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Macko avoids the head kick by Alexander.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macko doesn't manage to clinch there - Alexander circles away.
Macko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Macko persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.

Alexander shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Alexander showed some decent athleticism there.
Alexander keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Alexander stands up and beckons Macko to join him on the feet.

Alexander has managed to clinch.
Alexander jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Macko walks away with a smile on his face. Alexander gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander moves in looking to clinch but Macko pushes him off.
Macko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Alexander sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Macko somewhat.
Alexander dives in and grabs Macko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Macko pushes down on Alexander's head and hops out.
Macko tries to clinch

and Alexander counters by moving into the clinch.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Macko won't allow it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Macko tries to score a body lock takedown but Alexander shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Benji Macko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mathew Alexander's cut.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Macko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Alexander got a little sloppy there for a moment and Macko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alexander has managed to get both his arms back between Macko's legs - danger averted.
Alexander postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Macko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alexander can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Alexander trying to control but Macko is working from the bottom.
Macko will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Macko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alexander defends well.
Macko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Macko trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alexander controls the pace.
Alexander in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alexander prevents Macko from getting back to his feet.
Alexander trying to control but Macko is working from the bottom.
Macko throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Alexander controls from within his opponent's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Mathew Alexander wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Macko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alexander defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macko dives in and grabs Alexander's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alexander pushes down on Macko's head and hops out.
Alexander fails with an attempt to clinch.
Macko moves to clinch but Alexander breaks away

and Alexander counters by clinching up.

Alexander decides to pull guard.
Alexander keeping full guard, as Macko tries to pass.

Alexander is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Macko defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Macko prevents Alexander from getting back to his feet.
Macko wants to pass the guard but Alexander is keeping the position.
Macko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Macko trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Benji Macko.
Alexander tries to clinch up but Macko circles away and keeps his distance.
Macko tries to clinch but Alexander moves away
and Alexander counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexander misses with a head kick.
Alexander tries to clinch up but Macko circles away and keeps his distance.
Alexander stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alexander wants it to stay on the feet.
Mathew Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Macko.

Alexander closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Macko did well to prevent Alexander getting side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Macko is trying to get back to full guard.

Alexander is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Macko has managed to free his arm - good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathew Alexander showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Macko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:28
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Benji Macko!