PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Machado is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Emelianenko
vs
Machado

170 cm
19
171 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

183 cm
21
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Machado!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Emelianenko blocks the body kick.
Emelianenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machado circles away.
Emelianenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Machado buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Machado throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Machado sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado scores with a spinning back kick!

Machado scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Emelianenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machado.

Emelianenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machado gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Emelianenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado wants to stand but Emelianenko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Machado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado is looking to work some ground and pound but Emelianenko has wrist control.
Machado is looking to stand up but Emelianenko won't let him.

Emelianenko has his foot on Machado's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Machado works his way back into a safe position though.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.

Emelianenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Machado won't allow Emelianenko to sweep him here.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Machado passes into side control.

Machado thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Emelianenko tries to buck Machado off but Machado is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.
Emelianenko gets back to full guard.
Emelianenko is trying to keep Machado in close.

Emelianenko has his foot on Machado's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Machado works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko is trying to keep Machado in close.
Machado really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Emelianenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emelianenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Machado is controlling him.
Emelianenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machado's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Machado will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Emelianenko fails with the takedown
and Machado counters with a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Machado. That's going to slow Emelianenko down.
Emelianenko has his takedown stuffed
and Machado counters with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko has his takedown stuffed

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into side control. Emelianenko won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Machado has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Machado circles away easily
and Machado counters with a left and a right that stings Emelianenko.
Emelianenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Machado can pounce on him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Machado. That's going to slow Emelianenko down.
Emelianenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Machado counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Emelianenko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Machado is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Emelianenko Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Machado's back instead.
Emelianenko trying to control momentarily.

Emelianenko patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Machado defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Emelianenko's arms.
Machado turns into Emelianenko and is now in his guard.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Machado pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Emelianenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Machado sitting in guard here, content to control.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.
Machado missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four 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.
Machado looking to pass the guard.

Emelianenko keeping busy on the bottom but Machado has passed one foot through into half guard.
Machado seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Machado not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Emelianenko tries to get to full guard but Machado has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko is working hard here to advance position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machado throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Machado will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Emelianenko fails with the takedown

and Machado counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emelianenko!
Machado prevents Emelianenko from getting the reversal.
A nice elbow there by Machado.
Emelianenko regains half guard.
Machado throwing shots but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Emelianenko is not content to let Machado control the position.
Ivan Emelianenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelianenko is looking to control Machado's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelianenko avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machado controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machado wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelianenko keeps working.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Machado postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Emelianenko to stand up.
Machado dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Emelianenko. That did some damage!
Emelianenko misses with a takedown
and Machado counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Machado shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Emelianenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machado's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machado's back!

Machado won't enjoy being in this position. Emelianenko looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Machado is tapping - it's over boys! Emelianenko picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ivan Emelianenko!