PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geronimo dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
dos Santos

190 cm
22
165 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

171 cm
22
167 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Apollo Machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Geronimo dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida looks to land a body kick but dos Santos moved away.
dos Santos getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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.
dos Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Geronimo dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from dos Santos misses.
Machida moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
dos Santos throws a hook but Machida blocks it.
Machida looking to land some kicks to the body here.
dos Santos throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
dos Santos misses with a hook. Machida ducked under it nicely.
Machida slaps away a takedown attempt from dos Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Machida walks into a left hand.
Machida moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
dos Santos throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.
dos Santos lands a nice shot to the body.
dos Santos throws a jab but it's blocked by Machida.
dos Santos throws a big shot that misses.
Machida throws a quick head kick that skims the top of dos Santos's head.
dos Santos takes a swing at Machida's ribcage but misses.
dos Santos thuds a left hand into Machida's body.
Machida lands a head kick!
dos Santos loads up on a big right hand but Machida slips the punch.
Jab from dos Santos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

dos Santos gets in close and instigates a clinch.
dos Santos throws a head punch that misses.

Machida breaks the clinch.
dos Santos throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
dos Santos looks for a takedown but Machida sprawls well.
dos Santos sizes up Machida with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
dos Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
dos Santos takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
dos Santos misses with a hook
and Machida counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Apollo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Geronimo dos Santos.
dos Santos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machida manages to avoid it.
dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and dos Santos moves out of range easily.
Machida displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as dos Santos throws out the jab.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
dos Santos misses with a looping left.
dos Santos misses with a straight right.
dos Santos throws an overhand right that lands on Machida's shoulder, as Machida tries to avoid the shot.
dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos throws a hook but Machida avoids it easily.
A big right from dos Santos misses.
dos Santos scores with a shot to the body.
Machida looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
dos Santos misses with a body shot
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep dos Santos thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
dos Santos misses with an uppercut.
Some bone on bone action there as dos Santos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

dos Santos moves into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida stalling the fight.
dos Santos throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.

dos Santos successfully pulls guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geronimo dos Santos dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Some bone on bone action there as dos Santos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
dos Santos lands an overhand right.
dos Santos misses the shot to the body.
dos Santos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Machida counters with a body kick that stops dos Santos in his tracks momentarily.
A big left from dos Santos misses.
dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.
Nice uppercut there from dos Santos.
Machida throws a leg kick that misses.
Machida throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
dos Santos throws out a loose jab but Machida uses good head movement to avoid it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos swings widly with a right hand
and Machida counters with a good low kick that dos Santos was not able to check.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
dos Santos takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Apollo Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
dos Santos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Machida can pounce on him.
dos Santos is breathing heavily.
dos Santos lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Machida lands a head kick. dos Santos smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Geronimo dos Santos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big left from Machida misses.
Machida dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on dos Santos. That did some damage!
dos Santos on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
dos Santos misses with an uppercut
and Machida counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Machida lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and dos Santos has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from dos Santos and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Jab by dos Santos.
A jab from dos Santos misses.
dos Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.
dos Santos takes a swing at Machida's ribcage but misses.
dos Santos walks into a jab.
dos Santos throws a jab but it's blocked by Machida.
Machida scoring well with a low kick there.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
dos Santos thows a body shot but no joy.
dos Santos walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Machida finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
dos Santos misses with a straight left.
Machida moves out of range as dos Santos strikes.
dos Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Machida lands a nice leg kick that just misses dos Santos's sensitive parts.
A slapping leg kick lands for Machida.
Machida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Machida ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Machida thuds his right hand into dos Santos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!
Machida is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida pushes dos Santos away with a front kick.
dos Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Machida.
Machida connects with a single shot there.
dos Santos misses with a two punch combination.
dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida lands a jab to the nose.
Machida with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A head kick misses from Machida.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
dos Santos takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida connects with a leg kick. dos Santos looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Machida dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida moves out of range as dos Santos strikes.
Machida steps to the side to avoid the strikes from dos Santos.
dos Santos misses with a lunging right hand
and Machida counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machida is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Machida slips under a jab.
Machida lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Machida attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Some bone on bone action there as dos Santos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
dos Santos moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
dos Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos swings for the body but Machida moves out of range.
Machida slips a jab from dos Santos.
dos Santos wants to clinch.
Machida misses with a body kick.
dos Santos missing with a left hand there. Machida was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
dos Santos tries to clinch up.
dos Santos avoids the head kick by Machida.
dos Santos punishes Machida's body with a nice straight punch.
Machida looks to land a body kick but dos Santos moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Machida.
dos Santos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machida.
dos Santos misses with a lunging right hand
and Machida counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
dos Santos misses with the combination.
dos Santos throws a lazy right hand but Machida sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and dos Santos moves out of range easily.
dos Santos moves out of range of the body kick.
dos Santos throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machida makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. dos Santos really felt that one!
Machida misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida connects with an inside leg kick.
dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.
dos Santos blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a nice inside leg kick.
dos Santos works Machida's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from dos Santos. Machida does a little dance to reset his feet.
dos Santos looks to land a left hand but Machida moved out of range nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - dos Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Machida lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a nice outside leg kick.
dos Santos takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
dos Santos walks forward, straight into a front kick from Machida.
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!
dos Santos steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Machida. That one must have hurt.
Machida lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
dos Santos takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Machida scores with a head kick. dos Santos tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Machida connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dos Santos blocks a head kick by Machida.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Machida clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

dos Santos shoots in but Machida avoids the takedown attempt easily.
dos Santos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - dos Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

dos Santos feints and as Machida raises his hands in defense, dos Santos changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
dos Santos is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
dos Santos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machida working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida keeping moving, preventing dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Machida seems keen to control dos Santos's posture.
Machida on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Machida tries to get out of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Apollo Machida.
dos Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
dos Santos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos connects with a nice looking jab.
dos Santos misses with a looping right.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
dos Santos on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Machida waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract dos Santos.
dos Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
dos Santos throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
dos Santos works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida uses good head movement to avoid the hook from dos Santos.
dos Santos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Apollo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Geronimo dos Santos.
dos Santos looks to land a right hand but Machida moved out of range.
Machida smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
dos Santos checks a leg kick.
Machida misses with a low kick as dos Santos jumps back.
dos Santos checks a low kick from Machida.
dos Santos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
dos Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
dos Santos has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Machida.
dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a leg kick.
dos Santos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
Machida bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Machida throws a body kick that misses.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
dos Santos connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
dos Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Machida.
Machida drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
dos Santos takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Geronimo dos Santos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Machida misses with a looping right.
dos Santos throws a right hand that Machida ducks under and follows up with a left that Machida also avoids with ease.
dos Santos misses with a shot to the body
and Machida finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
dos Santos throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.
dos Santos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
dos Santos thows a left - swing and a miss!
dos Santos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Machida lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
dos Santos is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Machida moves out of range as dos Santos strikes.
Machida keeps the fight on the outside.
Machida throws a body punch but dos Santos moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Machida counters with a thumping low kick.
dos Santos misses with a hook
and Machida counters with a nice body kick.
Machida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by dos Santos.
A good leg kick by Machida.
dos Santos misses with a takedown
and Machida counters with a good low kick that dos Santos was not able to check.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Machida has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Machida there as he acknowledges the shot.
dos Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Machida is just out of range.
Machida fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and dos Santos has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A shot to the body from dos Santos misses
and Machida counters with a head kick.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
dos Santos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
dos Santos avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida connects with an inside leg kick.
A big left from dos Santos misses.
dos Santos throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machida counters with an outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida moves out of range of the strikes.
dos Santos scores with a shot to the body.
Machida scores with a leg kick.
Machida cracks dos Santos with an open hand slap.
dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Machida tries to sprawl out of it but dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Machida manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida scores with a nice strike.
dos Santos tries for a takedown but Machida circles away easily
enabling Machida to counter with a crisp jab.
Apollo Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Geronimo dos Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Machida attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from dos Santos misses.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
dos Santos lands with a nice body punch.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
dos Santos tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dos Santos misses with a lunging right hand
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles dos Santos's knee momentarily.
dos Santos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
dos Santos swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep dos Santos thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

And that's the end of the fight!
Apollo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 48:47
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Apollo Machida!
Apollo Machida retains his lightweight title!