PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Renzo Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Alekseev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, No more Shadows for the Past- NARNIA. Alekseev has chosen Imperium as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Machida
vs
Alekseev

193 cm
38
243 lbs
41 - 17 - 1

190 cm
31
250 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Bellum Dominum

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renzo Machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Alekseev!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alekseev misses with a hook.
Alekseev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Machida avoids it really well and circles away.
Machida ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And Machida counters with a quick kick to the body but Alekseev blocks it.
Machida lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Oleg Alekseev has been cut.

Alekseev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Machida is refusing to be controlled, as Alekseev sits in half guard.
Alekseev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida has his hands clasped together around Alekseev's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is looking to improve his position.
Alekseev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Alekseev is trying to work for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
Machida is pressing down on Alekseev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Alekseev throwing strikes from guard but Machida blocks nicely.
Alekseev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Alekseev is in close to Machida's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Machida has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Machida has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Alekseev has passed into side control.
Alekseev trying to control the action but Machida is working from the bottom.
Alekseev working the ground and pound from side control.
Machida regains half guard.

Alekseev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Machida sees it coming and defends easily.
Machida blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alekseev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Machida defending well though.
Alekseev trying to control from half guard but Machida is working away.
Alekseev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machida's head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machida trying to control from the bottom.
Alekseev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Alekseev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machida knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Alekseev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Machida regains full guard. Nicely done.
Alekseev won't allow Machida to sweep him here.
Machida is working hard here to advance position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Alekseev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Machida quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Machida uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alekseev.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Alekseev.
Alekseev blocks the body kick.
Alekseev throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Alekseev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oleg Alekseev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machida feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Alekseev's calf.
Alekseev connects with a crisp jab.
Alekseev throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machida appears to be looking for a big counter.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Machida takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Alekseev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alekseev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.
A counter left hand to the body from Machida misses its target.
Alekseev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Alekseev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machida counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alekseev is defended easily by Machida.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Alekseev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Alekseev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machida.
Alekseev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Alekseev moves into range and clinches up with Machida.
Machida struggles to land a body shot inside as Alekseev controls his hands.
Alekseev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machida smiles and moves away.
Renzo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Alekseev.
Alekseev moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Renzo Machida has been cut.
Machida fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alekseev wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev throws a lazy right hand but Machida sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Alekseev has managed to clinch.
Alekseev throws a head punch that misses.
Alekseev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Machida backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alekseev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alekseev has Machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Alekseev needs to keep his hands up - Machida had a free shot at his head there.
Alekseev fails with a takedown attempt.
Alekseev with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
Alekseev tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Machida lands a nice leg kick that just misses Alekseev's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alekseev or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida, which made it look bad.
A slow jab from Alekseev misses its intended target.
Oleg Alekseev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Alekseev drives through with a takedown into Machida's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Alekseev throws a strike but Machida rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Machida got a little sloppy there for a moment and Alekseev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Machida has managed to get both his arms back between Alekseev's legs - danger averted.

Alekseev looking for a guillotine here but Machida defends easily.

Alekseev working for submissions but it's allowed Machida to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Machida.
Alekseev tries to roll over but Machida keeps him under control.
Alekseev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Alekseev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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

Alekseev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Oleg Alekseev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A swing and a miss from Alekseev.
Alekseev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Alekseev misses the shot to the body.
Alekseev has a takedown stuffed.
Alekseev fails with a takedown attempt.
Renzo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Alekseev.
Machida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Machida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Alekseev.
Alekseev throws a hook but Machida blocks it.
Alekseev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machida as he jumps to the side.
Alekseev wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a nice inside leg kick.

Alekseev shoots in and bounces Machida off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Alekseev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alekseev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Alekseev from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machida is keeping the position for now.
Alekseev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alekseev throws a big right hand that misses.
Alekseev distracts Machida with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Alekseev chips away with some ground and pound.
Alekseev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Machida's head.
Alekseev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Machida tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alekseev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machida.
Alekseev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alekseev throws the left hand but Machida avoids the punch easily.
Machida tried to counter with a leg kick but Alekseev avoided it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Alekseev crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Machida - the referee stops the clock and Alekseev gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Machida. Alekseev manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Alekseev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Alekseev misses with a straight right.
Machida connects with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Machida tenderised Alekseev's leg. Alekseev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Alekseev shoots and misses
and Machida counters with a thumping low kick.
Alekseev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Alekseev.
Machida staying out of range there.
Alekseev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Machida lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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!
The fight stays on the outside here - Alekseev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Machida lands a big head kick that sends Alekseev tumbling to the mat! Machida takes a step backwards and waves Alekseev back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Alekseev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A left lands for Alekseev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renzo Machida clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Machida is looking to score with low kicks.
Alekseev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alekseev throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Machida on the side of the head.
Alekseev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machida is fending him off so far but Alekseev persists. Nope, Machida circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida throws a nice outside leg kick.
Alekseev throws a lazy uppercut
and Machida counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A solid leg kick lands there for Machida.
Alekseev wants to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping body kick lands there for Machida.
Alekseev is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Alekseev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Machida misses with a wild body shot.
Machida wants to slow Alekseev down by chopping away at his legs.
Alekseev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alekseev 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 looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Alekseev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machida as he jumps to the side.
Machida is looking to counter punch.
Machida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Alekseev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Renzo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Alekseev.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Machida.
Alekseev lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Machida lands a slapping body shot.
You can see that Alekseev has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a punch to the head.

Machida gets caught flat footed, as Alekseev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alekseev wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Alekseev looking to sit in guard and control but Machida gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Machida is stalling in the full guard.
Alekseev working a defensive guard but Machida passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alekseev wants to improve his position but Machida is controlling well.
Machida is thwarting Alekseev's attempts to control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Alekseev looking for submissions off his back.
Machida is pressing down on Alekseev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Alekseev is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Alekseev trying to control but Machida postures up.
Alekseev landing strikes from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alekseev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Alekseev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machida is one step ahead there.
Alekseev working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renzo Machida had his way with Oleg Alekseev in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Machida lands the left hand.
Alekseev throws a big shot that misses.
As Alekseev backs away, Machida returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Alekseev scores with a shot to the body.

Alekseev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Machida is trying to defend but Alekseev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Alekseev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alekseev is just content to waste time from the top position. Machida takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Machida is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alekseev stands up over Machida, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alekseev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machida is keeping the position for now.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Alekseev from controlling successfully.
Alekseev throws an elbow that misses. Machida uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alekseev's guard. Nice move by Machida!

Alekseev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machida's guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machida is on top in guard.

Alekseev working for a triangle but Machida defends it easily.

Alekseev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machida gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alekseev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Alekseev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Machida defends it easily.

Alekseev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Machida controlling from the top position.

Alekseev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Machida has picked Alekseev up and slammed him! Alekseev can't keep hold of the triangle and Machida manages to pass to side control!
Machida just content to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Alekseev is avoiding damage well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleg Alekseev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alekseev 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Oleg Alekseev!
Oleg Alekseev is the new heavyweight champion!
Post fight, an emotional Oleg Alekseev said 'Just like old good times! Thank you all!'.
The defeated Renzo Machida had this to say: 'So bad'.