PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between lyoto machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Row (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Row has chosen In the End - Linkin Park as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

machida
vs
Row

200 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

162 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

EFC Clothing
Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, lyoto machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Row!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
machida shoots in but Row avoids the takedown attempt easily.
machida shoots for a takedown but Row saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Row stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for lyoto machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.

machida closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - machida lands in his opponent's guard.
machida will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Row is adopting a defensive guard.
Row keeping moving, preventing machida from controlling successfully.
Row pulls machida in to control the position.
Row wants to sweep but no luck.
Row is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Row is taking a breather. machida says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Row decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
machida really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Row pushes machida up against the cage in a clinch.
Row pushes machida back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Row gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, machida regains guard.

Row thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
machida is wriggling around but Row manages to pass to half guard.
machida is looking to control Row's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can machida avoid being mounted?
machida is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Row is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
machida is trying to stand.
machida wants to sweep but Row has passed to side control!
machida struggling a bit here.
machida trying to control but Row flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
machida wants to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Can machida hold on?! Row is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
machida is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
machida is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Row controls the position.
machida trying to get back to his feet but Row is in full control for now.
machida is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Row lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns machida.
machida is trying to break free.
machida covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
machida is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Row is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! machida is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mike Row!