PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Skrarez (ranked 3125 p4p, 260 weight class) and Love Machine (ranked 5494 p4p, 389 weight class). Machine is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tubthumping. Francesco Skrarez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Love Machine's chin.

Skrarez
vs
Machine

165 cm
29
158 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

185 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Francesco Skrarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Love Machine!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Skrarez takes a jab right on the kisser.
Machine stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machine wants it to stay on the feet.
Skrarez takes one to the chin there.
Skrarez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machine manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Skrarez has been working on his boxing with his coaches at London MMA Club in the buildup to the fight.
Machine connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Skrarez momentarily.

Machine closes the distance and clinches.
Machine blocks the elbow strike.
Machine misses with a punch to the body.
Skrarez blocks an uppercut.
Skrarez prevents a body shot from Machine.
Skrarez takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Machine creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Machine.
Machine dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Skrarez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Machine prevents a body shot from Skrarez.
Machine lands a hook to the side of the head.
Machine has a couple of punches blocked by Skrarez.
A right handed body shot lands from Machine.
Skrarez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine prevents a body shot from Skrarez.
A shot in the inside from Skrarez.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Machine lands a hook that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Machine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skrarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Machine avoids the damage to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skrarez.
Machine lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Skrarez or not.
Skrarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machine cracks Skrarez with a nice body shot.
Machine tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skrarez's elbow.
Machine has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Skrarez seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Machine can turn it around.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skrarez.
Skrarez works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Machine on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Skrarez throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Machine lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Skrarez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Skrarez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Skrarez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Machine.
Machine has a couple of punches blocked by Skrarez.
Machine looking to stall.
Skrarez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machine's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez misses with a hook to the ribs.

Machine's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
Skrarez moves in looking to clinch but Machine pushes him off.
Machine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Skrarez gets a clinch.
Machine lands a left hand.
Machine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skrarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skrarez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Machine backwards.
Skrarez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Skrarez scores with a nice short uppercut.
Machine misses with a hook from the clinch.
Machine throws a punch but it's blocked by Skrarez.
Skrarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Machine avoids the damage to the body.
Skrarez scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Machine is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Skrarez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skrarez prevents a body shot from Machine.
Machine dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Machine escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine throws a looping overhand right but Skrarez ducks down to avoid it.
Skrarez is looking for a counter combo.
Machine is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Machine clinches up with Skrarez and pushes him back against the cage.
Machine throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Machine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skrarez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Machine.
Good body shot from Machine.
Machine stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Machine blocks an uppercut.
Machine lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Machine.
Skrarez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skrarez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Skrarez misses with a punch to the body.
Machine misses with a punch to the body.
Machine lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Machine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skrarez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Machine backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machine blocks a body shot from Skrarez.
A shot in the inside from Machine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machine lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Machine lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Machine.

Machine breaks from the clinch.
Skrarez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machine paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Skrarez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machine is fending him off so far but Skrarez persists. Nope, Machine circles away and we're back to standing.
Machine scores with a decent looking hook.
Skrarez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Machine scores with a nice head shot.

Machine moves into range and clinches up with Skrarez.
Skrarez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Machine takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Skrarez swings wildly with an uppercut but Machine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machine has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Machine pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machine avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machine throws out a powerful jab.
Skrarez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Love Machine dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A telegraphed right hand from Machine misses the target.
Skrarez slips a straight right by Machine.

Skrarez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Machine has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Machine has his hands on Skrarez's head, controlling the position.

Skrarez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Machine working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machine wants to stand but Skrarez is controlling the position.
Skrarez is working Machine over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Skrarez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machine is on top in guard.

Machine scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Skrarez pushes Machine off and scrambles back to his feet.
Francesco Skrarez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machine avoids a kick to the body.
Machine bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Skrarez's head backwards.

Machine drives through and clinches with Skrarez against the cage.
Skrarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Machine avoids the damage to the body.
Skrarez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Skrarez.
A right hook to the body lands for Skrarez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machine tries a body shot but Skrarez blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machine.
Skrarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Machine avoids it.
Machine is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Skrarez is keeping busy.
A head punch on the inside from Skrarez fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez takes a shot to the head.
Machine blocks a body shot from Skrarez.
Machine working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Machine escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machine scores with a hook.

Machine gets a clinch.
Machine tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skrarez's elbow.
Machine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Machine swings wildly with an uppercut but Skrarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machine blocks an uppercut.
Skrarez throws a head punch that misses.
Skrarez is working Machine over against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skrarez.
Machine has Skrarez pushed against the cage.
Skrarez misses with a punch to the body.
Skrarez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machine blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Skrarez lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez swings wildly with an uppercut but Machine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machine works on Skrarez's body with a couple of short punches.
Machine doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machine misses with the head strike.
Machine works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch on the inside from Machine fails to land.
Skrarez presses Machine against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Machine tries to throw a body punch but Skrarez avoids it by throwing Machine back against the cage.
Machine is trying to maintain a safe position but Skrarez gets an underhook and turns Machine into the cage.
Skrarez lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machine.
Skrarez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skrarez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Machine misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machine blocking some punches.
A short right from Machine on the inside.
Machine lands a body shot.
Skrarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skrarez misses with some punches.
Skrarez gets through Machine's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine is pushing Skrarez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Skrarez misses with a body punch.
Love Machine seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Machine breaks the clinch.
Skrarez doesn't manage to clinch there - Machine circles away.
Machine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Skrarez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skrarez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machine manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Skrarez wants to clinch but Machine slips to the side
and Machine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Francesco Skrarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Machine has managed to clinch.
Skrarez lands with a short shot to the head.
Machine lands a hook that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Machine blocks a body shot from Skrarez.
Skrarez lands a shoulder strike.

Machine breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skrarez tries to clinch but Machine is having none of it.
Machine slaps away a takedown attempt from Skrarez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Love Machine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Skrarez shoots in and drives through. Machine sprawls well.
Good standup being displayed there by Machine as he connects with a hook.
Machine connects with a single shot there.
Skrarez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Machine counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Skrarez walks into a stiff left hand from Machine.

Skrarez tries to keep at a distance but Machine has taken the fight into the clinch.
Machine on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Skrarez is leaning against Machine and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Machine.
Skrarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Machine on the inside.
Machine lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Machine.
Machine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Skrarezs head.
Machine lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Machine working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Machine works on Skrarez's body with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Skrarez misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Machine lands a left hand.
Nice body punch from Machine - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skrarez.
Machine works on Skrarez's body with a couple of short punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Machine.
Machine working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Machine blocking some punches.

Machine breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Machine clinches up against the cage.
Machine misses with a punch to the body.
A shot in the inside from Machine.
Machine on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machine softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Machine looking to stall.
Machine blocks an uppercut.
Skrarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machine lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Machine creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machine lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Skrarez lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Machine stalling the fight.
Skrarez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machine.
Skrarez digs a right hand into Machine's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Machine's gas tank.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Machine creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Skrarez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Skrarez.
Skrarez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machine misses with a punch on the inside.
Machine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machine tries a body shot but Skrarez blocks it.
Skrarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machine blocks it with crossed arms.
Skrarez throws a punch but it's blocked by Machine.
Machine avoiding damage as Skrarez throws knees to the body.
Machine lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Skrarez lands a shoulder strike.
Skrarez working aggressively here.
Machine scores with a shoulder strike.

Machine pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Love Machine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine's corner calls for a 1-2. Machine obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Machine closes the distance and clinches.
Skrarez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Skrarez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skrarez tries to work over Machine's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Skrarez tries to land a knee to the head but Machine blocks with his arms.
Skrarez blocking some punches.
Skrarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machine.
Machine lands a nice shot to the body.
Skrarez misses with a knee strike.
Skrarez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machine is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine avoids a wild elbow strike from Skrarez.
Machine blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skrarez trying to land knees to the body.
Skrarez tries to throw a body punch but Machine avoids it by throwing Skrarez back against the cage.
Machine avoiding damage as Skrarez throws knees to the body.
Skrarez swings wildly with an uppercut but Machine uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skrarez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skrarez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Skrarez takes a shot to the head.
Skrarez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skrarez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Francesco Skrarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skrarez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machine is defending well for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Love Machine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machine winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Love Machine!
Love Machine seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.