PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manny Machado (ranked 1868 p4p, 219 weight class) and James Krause (ranked 1533 p4p, 185 weight class). Krause has chosen Heart of a Champion as his entrance music. James Krause has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machado
vs
Krause

175 cm
40
164 lbs
32 - 20 - 0

180 cm
38
157 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Aspire Clothing

IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, James Krause!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Krause or perhaps it was just good defense by Machado, which made it look bad.
Machado wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Krause looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Krause takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Krause looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A lazy left from Machado finds it's target.
Machado lands an overhand right.
James Krause seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Krause.
Machado swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Machado pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Machado slips under a jab from Krause.
Krause misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado swings for the body but Krause moves out of range.

Krause shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Machado is trying to defend but Krause finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Krause is thwarting Machado's attempts to control the position.
Krause is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Machado!
Krause 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krause fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Machado tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Machado slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Krause prevents Machado from improving his position.
Krause missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado blocking the ground and pound attempt from Krause.
Krause looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machado is looking for a sweep. Krause is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Krause is trying to control the action in half guard but Machado is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Krause is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Machado has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado is trying to control but can't.
Krause is looking to take a break and control but Machado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Krause is working for a kimura but Machado is defending it quite comfortably.
Krause missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Krause.
Machado on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Krause is working for an americana but Machado has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Krause was thinking about the submission.
Krause advances position into side control!
Krause throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Krause goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Machado has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Krause but great work by Machado.
Krause is trying to get back to half guard.
Krause is not content to let Machado control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krause is looking to regain half guard here but Machado keeps moving and retains side control.
Machado working away.
Krause is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Machado off and has taken his back!
Machado staying busy and making it hard for Krause to control.

Krause is persistently looking for the submission but Machado is defending it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krause is landing with strikes. Machado can't take much more of this.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Krause dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Krause with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machado counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machado.
Krause tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Krause tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machado smiles and moves away.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
Krause loads up on a big right hand but Machado slips the punch.
Machado tried to counter with a leg kick but Krause avoided it.

Machado closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Krauses head.

It looks like James Krause has been cut.
Machado softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Krause tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Krause jumps guard but Machado stands there with Krause around his waist. Krause gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Krause fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause tries to pull guard but Machado won't allow it.
Machado is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Krause is trying to pull guard but Machado has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Machado.
Machado swings wildly with an uppercut but Krause uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado missing with knees to the body.
Krause tries to pull guard but Machado won't allow it.
Krause jumps guard but Machado turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Machado.
Krause is trying to pull guard but Machado turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Krause looking for a takedown.
Krause jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Krause gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Krause shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machado but Machado pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Krause takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Krause blocks a low kick nicely.
Machado moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krause shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machado pinned against the cage. Machado gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice body punch from Krause.
Machado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Krause uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machado.
Krause darts in looking for a takedown but Machado gets double underhooks and turns Krause into the cage.
Krause keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Manny Machado is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado cracks a nice hook into Krause's ribs.
Krause fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado thows a left - swing and a miss!
Krause goes for a double leg but Machado avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Machado continues to drive forward.
Krause shoots in for a double leg but Machado sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Krause wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Krause dives in for a single leg takedown but Machado sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Krause looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
Machado throwing a counter right hand but Krause manages to avoid it.
Machado connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Krause's hands.
Manny Machado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machado throws a series of punches but Krause avoids them all with ease.
Krause with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machado counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Krause tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Krause tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Krause wants a takedown but no success here.
Machado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Krause backwards.
Machado swings wildly with an uppercut but Krause uses good head movement to avoid it.
Krause tries to pull guard but Machado won't allow it.
Krause wants a takedown but no success here.
Machado is defending well against a takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Machado.
Krause fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Manny Machado has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Krause tries to score a body lock takedown but Machado shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Krause is breathing heavily.
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!
Krause fails to pull guard.
A short right from Machado on the inside.
Krause tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machado smiles and moves away.

Machado moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Machado dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Krause's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Machado delivers a nice body kick.
Machado listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Machado throws a quick inside leg kick.
Machado uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Krause.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Machado, right into the meat.
Machado swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Krause.
Krause gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Machado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Krause throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machado's waist but Machado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Krause off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado digs a good body shot into Krause's ribs.
Machado loads up on a big right hand but Krause slips the punch.
Nice takedown defense from Machado. No joy for Krause on that attempt.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
Krause tries for a takedown but Machado circles away easily
and Machado counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Machado finds it's way round the side to connect with Krause's head.
Machado throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Krause gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Machado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Krause uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Machado.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Machado. Krause shrugs it off though.
Machado is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Krause can do to turn this around?
Krause has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Machado finds it's way round the side to connect with Krause's head.
Nice shot by Machado.
Machado throws a shot from downtown. Krause moves away and avoids it.
Krause takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado throws a leg kick but Krause moved away.
Krause tries for a takedown but Machado circles away easily
and Machado counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Krause just misses with a punch to the body.
Krause is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Machado rather than just go for the knockout.
Krause looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
Machado scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Krause doesn't seem bothered though.
Krause fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.

Machado rushes Krause and presses him up against the cage.
Machado lands with a left to the head.
Machado misses with a punch to the body.
Machado stops a takedown attempt from Krause.
Machado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Machado.
Krause takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado has Krause pressed against the cage.
A short right from Machado on the inside.

Machado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machado misses with a low kick.
Krause fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.
Machado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Krause.
Machado keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Donk. Machado catches Krause right on the button with a cross.
Machado throws out a powerful jab.

Machado gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado scores with a hook to the body.
Krause tries to pull guard but Machado holds him up against the cage and eventually Krause drops back down to his feet.
Krause tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machado smiles and moves away.
Krause takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Krause misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machado.
Machado works over Krause's head and body with a nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado throws a right hand that Krause ducks under and follows up with a left that Krause also avoids with ease.
Machado finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Krause shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Machado counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Machado showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Machado 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Machado!
Manny Machado thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated James Krause had this to say: 'I want a rematch. I'll beat him in the next one, just as I did with everyone who was lucky enough to beat me in Highland Games.'.