PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Seiryu Machida (ranked 1510 p4p, 200 weight class) and Travis Mitchell (ranked 1844 p4p, 232 weight class). 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
Mitchell

192 cm
28
187 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

187 cm
28
190 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Seiryu Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Travis Mitchell!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitchell misses with a wild body shot.

Mitchell moves into range and clinches up with Machida.
Machida blocks a body shot from Mitchell.
Machida blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mitchell misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mitchell.
Mitchell throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.
Mitchell can't find room to land a body shot as Machida controls the action.
Mitchell lands with a short shot to the head.
Mitchell trying to stall but Machida improves his position.
I was talking to Machida's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A short right from Machida.
Mitchell lands a right hand.
Mitchell tries a body shot but Machida blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mitchell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mitchell has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mitchell tries a body shot but Machida blocks it.
Machida tries a knee to the head but Mitchell blocks it.
Mitchell struggles to land a body shot inside as Machida controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Machida.
Machida using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mitchell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machida throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mitchell tries to throw a body punch but Machida avoids it by throwing Mitchell back against the cage.
Mitchell working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mitchell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Machida.
Mitchell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Machida or not.
Machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Mitchell avoids the damage to the body.
Nice body punch from Mitchell.
Mitchell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mitchell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mitchell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mitchell can't find room to land a body shot as Machida controls the action.
Machida lands a body shot in the clinch.
Machida blocks a body shot from Mitchell.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mitchell.
Mitchell wants to break free but Machida has control.
Machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Mitchell avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell blocks the elbow strike.
Machida pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mitchell blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mitchell looking for a takedown.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Machida.
Mitchell tries to work over Machida's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mitchell is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mitchell scores with a shoulder strike.
Machida tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mitchell can't find room to land a body shot as Machida controls the action.
Mitchell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machida misses with an elbow strike.
Mitchell blocking some punches.
Machida with a knee to the head.

It looks like Travis Mitchell has been cut.
Mitchell misses with a punch to the body.
Machida tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machida working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell blocks a body shot from Machida.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mitchell.
Mitchell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machida misses with a knee strike.
Machida tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mitchell leaning against his opponent.
Mitchell throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.
Machida throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitchell blocks it with crossed arms.
Mitchell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Machida creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mitchell's defenses.
Mitchell's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machida throws an elbow but misses.
Machida lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Machida softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Machida throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mitchell takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Mitchell is trying to drag Machida to the mat but Machida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mitchell dodges an elbow strike from Machida.
Mitchell misses with a punch on the inside.

Mitchell breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes from Machida. Those never looked like landing.
Machida swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mitchell.
Mitchell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mitchell lands a head shot.
Mitchell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Machida.
Mitchell keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mitchell lands a jab.
Machida lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
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 Seiryu Machida will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Travis Mitchell's cut.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Machida throws a body punch but Mitchell moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mitchell moves out of range of the body kick.
Mitchell swings for the body but Machida moves out of range.
Machida misses with a shot to the body
and Mitchell counters with a nice body shot.
Mitchell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Machida.
Machida rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Mitchell to counter with a crisp jab.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
A punch lands to the side of Machida 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mitchell misses with a kick to the body
and Machida counters with an inside leg kick.
Machida's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mitchell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Machida scrambles back to his feet.
Machida looks for the body kick but Mitchell saw that one coming.
Mitchell replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Machida blocks it well.
Mitchell takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Machida connects with a body shot.
Machida misses with a straight left.

Mitchell moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mitchell has a couple of punches blocked by Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Mitchell.
Machida fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Machida crunches a lovely knee into Mitchell's ribcage.
Mitchell working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A left hand lands to the body for Mitchell.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch on the inside from Mitchell fails to land.
Mitchell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machida digs a right hand underneath Mitchell's ribcage. Mitchell let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mitchell's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mitchell prevents a body shot from Machida.
Machida tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mitchell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Machida or not.
Mitchell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mitchell swings wildly with an uppercut but Machida uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mitchell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Machida.
Machida lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Seiryu Machida has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Good body shot from Machida.
Mitchell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Mitchell as the two fighters clinch.
Machida digs a right hand into Mitchell's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mitchell's gas tank.
Machida lands an elbow that stopped Mitchell in his tracks for a moment.
Mitchell lands a left hand.
Machida misses with a body punch.
Machida tries to work over Mitchell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Machida swings wildly with an uppercut but Mitchell uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right handed body shot lands from Mitchell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mitchell breaks the clinch.
Mitchell digs a good body shot into Machida's ribs.
Mitchell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Machida misses with a shot to the body
and Mitchell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A slapping body kick lands there for Mitchell.
Machida defending well as Mitchell loads up on a big left hand.
Machida connects with a leg kick. Mitchell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mitchell misses with a straight left.
Machida scores with a leg kick.
Machida scores with a spinning back kick!
A swing and a miss from Mitchell.
A big left from Machida misses.
Mitchell tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mitchell jabs at Machida's body.
Travis Mitchell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd cheers as Mitchell lands an impressive looking overhand right. Machida doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida defending well as Mitchell loads up on a big left hand.
Machida tried to counter with a leg kick but Mitchell avoided it.
Mitchell takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mitchell misses with a wild body shot.
Mitchell lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mitchell lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida lands a two punch combo.
Machida uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mitchell.
Machida takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Machida moves out of range of the body kick from Mitchell.
Machida takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Machida looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mitchell is looking to land body kicks.
Seiryu Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machida takes one to the chin there.
Mitchell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Mitchell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Travis Mitchell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mitchell moves out of range of the body kick.
Machida fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mitchell slips a jab from Machida.
Machida lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mitchell's sensitive parts.
Machida connects with a crisp jab.
Mitchell misses with a takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Machida bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Machida on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Machida throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Some wild striking there from Mitchell.
Mitchell misses with a hook to the body
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Mitchell looks to score with a jab to the body but Machida is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mitchell scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Machida punishes Mitchell's body with a nice straight punch.
Machida takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Machida's head backwards.
Machida tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mitchell is able to avoid easily.
Machida bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Machida misses with a right hand
and Mitchell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jab, jab by Machida - just one landing.
Machida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mitchell was well out of range. Poor timing from Machida.
Machida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mitchell.
Mitchell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Machida feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Machida scores with a kick to the midsection.
Machida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Machida bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Machida is looking to counter with head kicks.
Mitchell 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 wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mitchell misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Machida.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mitchell misses with a straight right.
Mitchell throws a lazy right hand but Machida sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Machida throws a low kick, looking for Mitchell's leg but Mitchell calmly moves out of range.
Mitchell tries to land a front kick but Machida steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mitchell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Machida defending well as Mitchell loads up on a big left hand.
Machida tried to counter with a leg kick but Mitchell avoided it.
Machida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mitchell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mitchell's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Machida works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Machida throws the left hand but Mitchell avoids the punch easily.
A jab lands there for Machida.
Nice straight punches there by Mitchell. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mitchell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell misses with a hook. Machida ducked under it nicely.
Jab from Machida.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Machida. Mitchell shrugs it off though.
Machida lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mitchell tries to land a leg kick but Machida saw it coming and moves away.
Machida is looking to counter punch.
Machida throws a lazy right hand but Mitchell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mitchell tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Machida throws a body kick that misses

and Mitchell counters with a single leg into guard. Machida didn't expect that.
Machida is trying to keep Mitchell in close.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Mitchell from controlling successfully.
Mitchell is in close to Machida's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mitchell wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Mitchell is looking to work some ground and pound but Machida has wrist control.
Mitchell with a nice head shot there.
Mitchell postures up and lands a big shot to Machida's brow.
Mitchell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Machida misses with a wild body shot.
Mitchell tries to counter with a clinch but Machida shakes him off and moves away.
Machida swings widly with a right hand
and Mitchell counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seiryu Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Machida 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!