PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistar DeGraff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DeGraff has chosen 300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero as his entrance music. Alistar DeGraff acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Machida
vs
DeGraff

180 cm
25
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dan Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alistar DeGraff!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida checks a leg kick.
Machida misses with the combination.
Nice body kick from Machida.
A leg kick checked by Machida.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
DeGraff tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Machida was well out of range. Poor timing from DeGraff.
Machida lands a nice leg kick that just misses DeGraff's sensitive parts.
Dan Machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeGraff avoids the head kick by Machida.
DeGraff scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
DeGraff avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida misses with an attempted mid kick.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Machida thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on DeGraff if he has to take too many more of those.
Machida throws a head kick but DeGraff moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from DeGraff misses.
Machida throws a body kick the misses

and DeGraff counters with a single leg into guard. Machida didn't expect that.
DeGraff pushing down on Machida's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida is trying to stand up here but DeGraff is controlling him well.
Machida trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
DeGraff is keen to just control but Machida is a slippery customer.
DeGraff works his way into side control.
DeGraff is looking to take a break and control but Machida is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeGraff cracks Machida with an elbow. That is naaassty.
DeGraff wants to control but Machida is keeping him busy.
DeGraff tries to move into full mount but can't pass Machida's legs.
Machida is trying to improve his position.
DeGraff advances nicely into full mount.
DeGraff can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Machida is looking to escape.
Machida is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeGraff moves to the back position.
DeGraff keeps control of the position easily here as Machida tries to buck him off.
Machida tries to break free.
DeGraff has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Machida's body.
DeGraff keeps control of the position as Machida tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
DeGraff trying to control.
DeGraff is riding his opponent, not letting Machida buck him off.

Machida defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
DeGraff gets his hands free as Machida looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistar DeGraff dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

DeGraff takes a kick to the side of the head.
DeGraff takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida throws a sloppy body shot

and DeGraff decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Machida's guard.
Machida wants to sweep here but DeGraff controlling him for the moment.
DeGraff prevents Machida from getting back to his feet.
DeGraff trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
DeGraff stops Machida from standing up.
Machida looking to control but DeGraff passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeGraff works his foot free and advances to mount.
Machida is squirming around, avoiding DeGraff's attempts to control the action.
DeGraff sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Machida is squirming around, avoiding DeGraff's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Machida is in all sorts of trouble here.
Machida wants to hold on but DeGraff pushes him away.
DeGraff won't let Machida get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Machida is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
DeGraff looking to control and managing it successfully.
DeGraff can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Machida is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DeGraff with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Machida is trying to escape the mount but DeGraff keeps good control and instead manages to take Machida's back.
Machida is keeping busy.
DeGraff is hanging on to Machida's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - DeGraff's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Machida is trying to stand back up.
Machida is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - DeGraff's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Alistar DeGraff has got the better of the ground game so far.
Machida holding both DeGraff 's hands and preventing any damage.
DeGraff trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistar DeGraff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida scores with a head kick.
Machida closes the distance looking to clinch
and DeGraff connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and DeGraff moves out of range easily.
Machida throws a head kick that DeGraff semi-blocks.
DeGraff tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida throws a head kick but DeGraff moves out of range.
DeGraff shoots for a double leg takedown but Machida sprawls well. He's pushed DeGraff's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dan Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
DeGraff slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeGraff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
DeGraff bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machida's guard.
DeGraff advances to half guard.
DeGraff content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Machida tries to kick DeGraff off but DeGraff keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
DeGraff wants to take a breather but Machida is having none of it.
DeGraff looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Machida tries to kick DeGraff off but DeGraff keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
DeGraff is controlling the pace.
Machida is trying to stand up here but DeGraff is controlling him well.
Machida is staying active underneath DeGraff, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alistar DeGraff wasn't active enough on the ground.
Machida throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida gets off balance looking for a body kick
and DeGraff counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Machida thinking.
Machida steps to the side to avoid the strikes from DeGraff.
DeGraff ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Machida moves away.

Machida shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Machida was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Machida prevents DeGraff from getting the reversal.
DeGraff tries to hold on but Machida pushes him away.
Alistar DeGraff is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
DeGraff is looking to improve his position but Machida isn't that keen on the idea.
DeGraff tries to lock up and control but Machida gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Machida avoids the attempt from DeGraff to control.
DeGraff regains half guard.
Machida is trying to control the action in half guard but DeGraff is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dan Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machida is thwarting DeGraff's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
I think DeGraff has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alistar DeGraff!