PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby TupperIII (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida has chosen For Whom The Bell Tolls as his entrance music. Lyoto Machida told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

TupperIII
vs
Machida

200 cm
40
215 lbs
27 - 31 - 1

185 cm
46
205 lbs
35 - 35 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 31 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bobby TupperIII!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 35 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
TupperIII has a takedown stuffed.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Machida throws a series of punches but TupperIII moves out of range.
Machida displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from TupperIII.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby TupperIII. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Machida does it's job there.
Machida lands with a nice combination. TupperIII backs away looking to recover.
TupperIII shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machida as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida stuffs the takedown attempt from TupperIII. TupperIII gets slowly back to his feet.
Machida blocks a low kick nicely.
TupperIII dives in for a single leg takedown but Machida sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It seemed like Machida was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TupperIII changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Machida tries to avoid it but TupperIII manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Machida to the ground. Machida escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bobby TupperIII seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
TupperIII gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Machida counters with a right hand to the body.
TupperIII has his takedown stuffed
and TupperIII takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machida avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Machida lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
TupperIII fails with the takedown.
Machida is trying to counter with his kicks.
Machida lands a straight punch to the body, keeping TupperIII at a distance.
TupperIII shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.

TupperIII closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TupperIII is trying to get an arm triangle but Machida is defending well.

TupperIII tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no TupperIII has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

TupperIII is trying to get an arm triangle but Machida is defending well.

TupperIII thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Machida is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

TupperIII tries for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
Machida can't do much from the bottom here.

TupperIII tries for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
Machida is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

TupperIII is trying to get an arm triangle but Machida is defending well.

TupperIII goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Machida rolls with the submission and now he's on top in TupperIII's guard! Nice work there by Machida!
Machida slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Machida must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four 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.

TupperIII 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.

TupperIII has his foot on Machida's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Machida works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

TupperIII is looking for a triangle here but Machida uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
TupperIII is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Machida's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
TupperIII moves into full guard.
TupperIII is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Animal House that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machida trying to stand up but can't free himself from TupperIII's guard.

TupperIII isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Machida stacks TupperIII on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Machida!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

TupperIII lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Machida now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
TupperIII finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Machida lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Machida leaves TupperIII with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Machida has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
TupperIII shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing TupperIII's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
TupperIII moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMachida.
Machida lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but TupperIII circles away quickly and effectively.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from TupperIII is defended easily by Machida.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby TupperIII. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
TupperIII misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
TupperIII tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten TupperIII somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TupperIII shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

TupperIII darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Machida controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

TupperIII seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
Machida tries to get to full guard but TupperIII has control of the leg.

TupperIII is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Machida doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time TupperIII.
Machida is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TupperIII is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

TupperIII is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

TupperIII is trying to work for a kimura but Machida is defending well.

TupperIII seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
Machida is looking to control TupperIII's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Machida avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

TupperIII is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

TupperIII seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.

TupperIII is looking for a kimura here.

TupperIII is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Machida is looking to improve his position.
Machida is doing well to control the position and prevent TupperIII from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

TupperIII wants to work for an arm triangle but Machida is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

TupperIII is looking for a kimura here.
Machida keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Machida is defending against the submission attempts here by TupperIII.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida is trying to maintain the position but TupperIII is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby TupperIII dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by TupperIII.
Machida sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

TupperIII trying to work for an americana but Machida has managed to regain full guard.
Machida 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.
Machida is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

TupperIII drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Machida manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now TupperIII has Machida in his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

TupperIII 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 one minute gone in the round.

TupperIII looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Machida has picked TupperIII up and slammed him! TupperIII can't keep hold of the triangle and Machida manages to pass to side control!
TupperIII is looking to reverse the position.
TupperIII manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

TupperIII is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Machida is just riding it out for now. TupperIII eventually gives up the hold.
Machida is trying to control but can't.
Machida is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
TupperIII will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

TupperIII seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TupperIII is looking for a kimura here.
Machida desperately trying to maintain half guard.

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

TupperIII looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Machida desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to roll over but TupperIII keeps him under control.
TupperIII is looking to advance position but Machida won't allow it.

TupperIII seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
Machida wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

TupperIII seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.

TupperIII is working for a kimura but Machida is defending it quite comfortably.
Machida controlling the position well.
TupperIII looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida is trying to control but can't.

TupperIII is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Machida sees it coming and defends easily.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby TupperIII showed his dominance in that final round.
I think TupperIII 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby TupperIII!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Bobby TupperIII waved his t-shirt featuring Museum of Monsters & Madmen's logo in front of the cameras.