PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xander Machado (ranked 2406 p4p, 337 weight class) and Publius Sestius (ranked 4169 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Machado
vs
Sestius

196 cm
29
208 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
205 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Publius Sestius!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sestius wants to clinch
and Machado counters with a left and a right that stings Sestius.
Publius Sestius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Sestius does no damage.
Machado throws a big counter combination but Sestius scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sestius.
Sestius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Machado closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sestius's guard.
Machado is standing up over Sestius. Sestius looks to escape but Machado dives into side control.
Machado creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sestius sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sestius parries the strikes from Machado easily there. Machado is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sestius to escape.
An elbow from Machado crashes against the mat.
Machado has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Machado throws an elbow but Sestius slips to the side and avoids it well.
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!
Machado creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sestius sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sestius is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado taking a break here but Sestius is having none of it and regains half guard.
Machado thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Machado slows the pace down in half guard.
Machado winds up and cracks Sestius with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Machado missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Machado thows a huge punch but Sestius dodges it nicely.
Sestius keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sestius blocking the ground and pound attempt from Machado.
Machado missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sestius is looking to escape.
Machado will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Machado tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sestius knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sestius is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sestius blocking the ground and pound attempt from Machado.
Machado working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Machado missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Machado stops Sestius from getting back to his feet.
Sestius is staying active underneath Machado, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sestius on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Sestius pushes Machado off and gets back to his feet.
Sestius tries to clinch but Machado moves out of range.
Sestius takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sestius misses with a double jab
and Machado counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sestius darts in and clinches Machado up against the cage.
Machado avoiding damage as Sestius throws knees to the body.
Machado avoiding damage as Sestius throws knees to the body.
Sestius is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short left from Machado.
Sestius landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Machado avoids the elbow strike from Sestius, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
A short uppercut from Machado.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Sestius tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sestius misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sestius struggles to land a body shot inside as Machado controls his hands.
Sestius lands a knee to the body.
Machado is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sestius misses with a knee strike.
Sestius looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sestius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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!
Sestius trying to land knees to the body.
Sestius lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sestius struggles to land a body shot inside as Machado controls his hands.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sestius trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xander Machado will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sestius moves in looking to clinch but Machado pushes him off.

Sestius gets a clinch.
Sestius swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Sestius.
Sestius unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sestius tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sestius gets underhooks to prevent Machado's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sestius lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A right hook to the body lands for Sestius.
Sestius misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machado.
Sestius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sestius tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sestius is leaning against Machado and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sestius is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machado is defending well for now.
Machado is trying to drag Sestius to the mat but Sestius just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Machado lands a takedown into guard.
Machado won't allow Sestius to get back to his feet.
Sestius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sestius keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Sestius not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sestius wants to stand but Machado is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado content to stall in guard here.
Sestius wants to stand up but Machado is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machado.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xander Machado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sestius.
Sestius fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado fails to land the takedown.
Machado closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sestius circles away.
Sestius tries to clinch but Machado moves out of range.
Sestius throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Machado throws a big counter combination but Sestius scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Machado misses with a head kick.
Machado has a takedown stuffed.
Sestius is looking to clinch but Machado is avoiding it.
Sestius checks a leg kick nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sestius looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sestius closes the distance and clinches.
Machado blocks a body shot from Sestius.
Sestius trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Machado wants a takedown but no success here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sestius just misses with a elbow thrown towards Machado's brow.
Machado blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knees to the body from Sestius.
Publius Sestius seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sestius is leaning against Machado and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sestius has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machado tries for a takedown but Sestius manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Publius Sestius showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sestius ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sestius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sestius throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machado counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Sestius closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machado has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sestius is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Machado on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sestius.
Machado is trying to force a seperation but Sestius has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sestius presses Machado against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Machado is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sestius is keeping busy.
Sestius misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sestius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A short uppercut from Sestius.

Machado is rocked!
Sestius misses with a hook from the clinch.
Oh Machado is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Machado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sestius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sestius pulls back and lands a big elbow that stuns Machado! Sestius unloads with more strikes and Machado sinks to his knees! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Publius Sestius!
Publius Sestius decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.