SCF 3 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Machida
vs
Banks

180 cm
22
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Banks!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida looks to land a body kick but Banks moved away.
Machida blocks a head kick by Banks.
Some wild striking there from Banks.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Banks tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Banks avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick
and Banks counters with a nice leg kick.
Machida swats away the attempt to clinch by Banks.
Machida swats away the attempt to clinch by Banks.
A head kick misses from Machida.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Machida.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Banks shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense.
Banks connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Machida scores with a kick to the midsection.
Chris Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice defenses there by Banks.
Banks tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Lyoto Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Banks has managed to clinch.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.
Machida throws a knee to the head but misses.
Banks wants a takedown.
Banks goes for a takedown in the clinch but Machida prevents it.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Banks.
Machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Banks landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Machida wants to get back to striking at distance but Banks won't allow it.
Banks wants a takedown.
Machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Machida misses with some punches.
Machida stalling in the clinch but Banks improves position.
Machida is trying to break the clinch but Banks has him pressed against the cage.
Banks throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machida blocks it with crossed arms.
Banks throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machida blocks it with crossed arms.
Banks using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Machida has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Machida is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Banks keeps control of Machida as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Machida is trying to maintain a safe position but Banks gets an underhook and turns Machida into the cage.
Banks throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machida blocks it with crossed arms.
Banks tries to land a knee to the head but Machida blocks with his arms.
Banks looking to throw knees to the head but Machida is blocking nicely.

Banks has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Machida is trying to keep an underhook but Banks manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Banks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machida's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Banks wants to pass to mount but Machida is defending the position.
Banks not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Banks stands up and beckons Machida to join him on the feet.
Banks tries to clinch up.
Banks tries to clinch but Machida is having none of it.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Banks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Banks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Banks shoots in but no luck this time.
Machida throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Machida throws a lazy head kick

and Banks counters by clinching up.
Banks is working for takedown but Machida is calmly controlling the position for now.
Banks tries for a takedown. No joy.
Machida is trying to break the clinch but Banks has him pressed against the cage.
Banks prevents Machida from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Banks gets a clinch.
Banks avoiding damage as Machida throws knees to the body.
Machida misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Banks.
Banks lands a nice elbow.
Machida will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Banks up against the cage.
Machida is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Banks is keeping busy.
Banks tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Machida wants to stall.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Machida stalling in the clinch but Banks improves position.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
Banks keeps control of Machida as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Banks tries for a takedown. No joy.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Banks tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Banks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Banks wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.
Machida lands a head kick. Banks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Banks moves out of range of the body kick.
Banks blocks the body kick.
A head kick by Machida misses

and Banks moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks has Machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Machida tries to stall but Banks uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Banks tries for a takedown but Machida manages to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from Machida.
Banks managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Banks tries a knee to the head but Machida blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Machida.
Machida lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Machida landing knees to the body.
Machida tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Banks misses with an elbow strike.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.

Banks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banks moves out of range of the body kick from Machida.
Machida throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.
A punch combination from Banks misses.

Banks moves into range and clinches up with Machida.
Banks is working for takedown but Machida is calmly controlling the position for now.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Banks drives through and clinches with Machida against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banks connects with a knee to the head.
Banks landing knees to the head.
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!
Banks can't get the takedown.
Banks looking to throw knees to the head but Machida is blocking nicely.
Machida is looking to break free of the clinch but Banks has double underhooks.
Machida taking a breather.
Machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.
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 Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Machida throws a lazy head kick

and Banks counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Banks counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Banks misses with a kick to the body.
Banks wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.

Machida tries to keep at a distance but Banks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Machida stops a takedown attempt from Banks.
Machida lands a knee to the body.
Machida will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Banks up against the cage.

Banks breaks from the clinch.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Banks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick

and Banks moves into the clinch.
Banks looking to throw knees to the head but Machida is blocking nicely.
Machida is pressed up against the cage. Banks has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Machida down to the mat. Machida avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Banks.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Banks counters with a three punch combo that has Machida backing up. Machida nods at Banks to acknowledge the strikes.
Banks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banks blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a lazy head kick

and Banks counters by clinching up.
Machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Banks's face.
A knee to the head by Banks.
Machida takes an elbow to the temple.
Banks has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Machida is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Banks with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Machida with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Banks throws a knee to the head but misses.
Banks blocks a body shot from Machida.
Banks misses with a knee to the head.

Banks breaks from the clinch.
Machida throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Banks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Machida.
Chris Banks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Banks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Machida tries to avoid it but Banks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Machida to the ground. Machida escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Banks has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida is looking to control Banks's arms but Banks gets an underhook and turns him. Now Machida has his back to the cage.
Banks using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Banks with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machida tries to break the clinch but Banks is controlling the position.
Banks throws a knee to the head but misses.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Banks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Machida tries to keep at a distance but Banks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Banks tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Banks missing with knees to the body.
Banks lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Machida breaks the clinch.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Banks avoids the head kick by Machida.
Banks blocks a head kick by Machida.
Banks is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.

Banks instigates a clinch.
Banks throws a knee to the head but misses.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Machida tries a knee to the head but Banks blocks it.
Nice elbow from Banks.
Machida is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida misses with a knee strike.
Machida landing knees to the body.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Machida keeps Banks at a distance using the push kick.
Machida throws a head kick that Banks semi-blocks.

Banks is rocked!
Machida throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.
Banks is still on wobbly legs! Can Machida finish him?
Banks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Banks seems to have recovered his senses.
Banks misses with a hook
and Machida counters with a flying knee that drops Banks! Banks dives in and finishes the fight with a flurry of strikes from the mount!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lyoto Machida!
Lyoto Machida is the new middleweight champion!