PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nolan Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, For Whom The Bell Tolls. The crowd seem to be enjoying Sackett's choice of entrance music: Bad To the Bone. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Machida
vs
Sackett

185 cm
34
205 lbs
25 - 18 - 0

190 cm
35
215 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nolan Sackett!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sackett throws a low kick but Machida moves out of range easily.
Sackett throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Machida misses with a body kick.
Machida lands with a hook. Sackett tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sackett throws a poor cross that misses
and Machida counters with a right hand to the body.
Sackett misses with a looping left.
Sackett throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machida counters with a nice kick to the body.
Machida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nolan Sackett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sackett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Machida throws out the jab.
Machida throws a series of strikes that have Sackett backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a lazy right hand but Sackett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sackett misses with a series of wild punches.
Lyoto Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Machida.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
Machida scores with a jab. Sackett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett motions for Machida to come forward. Sackett throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Machida looks to land a combination but Sackett avoids it well.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sackett looks to throw the jab but Machida is out of range.
Sackett on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida connects with an inside leg kick.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sackett throws a hook but Machida avoids it easily.
Sackett avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida wants to land a leg kick but Sackett is out of range.
Sackett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Machida.
Machida misses with a wild combination.
Machida misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a nice body kick.
Machida lands with a thumping leg kick.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A leg kick checked by Machida.
Sackett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sackett!
Sackett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machida.
Machida takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sackett falls off balance throwing a combination
and Machida counters with a body kick that stops Sackett in his tracks momentarily.
Sackett throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machida counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sackett takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A head kick misses from Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida moves out of range as Sackett strikes.
Sackett ducks under a wild hook from Machida.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Sackett finds it's way through Machida's defenses.
Machida misses with a two punch combination.
Machida throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida scoring well with a low kick there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida throws a leg kick
and Sackett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Machida thows a left - swing and a miss!
Machida scores with a nice right hand.
Machida looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Machida leaves Sackett with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Sackett might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Machida has got the better of the exchanges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett looks to land a right hand but Machida moved out of range.
Machida throws a lazy body kick
and Sackett counters with a low kick, right behind Machida 's knee.
Sackett tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machida is able to avoid easily.
Sackett throws a jab when Machida was well out of range.
Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sackett.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sackett misses with a double jab.
Sackett throws a right hand that Machida ducks under and follows up with a left that Machida also avoids with ease.
Sackett tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machida is able to avoid easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida throws a hook to the side of Sackett's head but Sackett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Machida misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sackett 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 Machida has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Machida and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Machida lands a nice shot that snaps Sackett's head back.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Sackett misses with a double jab
and Machida counters with a nice uppercut.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Sackett shoots in but no luck this time.
Machida looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to land a front kick but Sackett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sackett avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sackett throws a looping overhand right but Machida ducks down to avoid it.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sackett shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sackett shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Machida slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sackett uses his free foot to push down on Machida's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Machida.
Sackett misses with a head shot.
Sackett has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sackett scoring with strikes but Machida is staying in there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida wants to hold on but Sackett pushes him away.
Sackett sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sackett has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Machida's face.
Machida wants to hold on but Sackett pushes him away.
Machida is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Machida got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sackett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Machida has managed to get both his arms back between Sackett's legs - danger averted.
Sackett looking for a sweep. Not yet Sackett, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Lyoto Machida just wasn't active enough.
Sackett blocks a head kick by Machida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett throws a jab when Machida was well out of range.
Sackett with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Machida to score with a decent uppercut.
Sackett throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A slow jab from Sackett misses its intended target.
Good exchange - Sackett coming out on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sackett's corner calls for a 1-2. Sackett obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sackett avoids the head kick by Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nolan Sackett really dominated that round.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Machida looks for the body kick but Sackett saw that one coming.
A combination from Machida does no damage.
Machida misses with a right hand
and Sackett counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Machida clobbers Sackett with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Machida leaves Sackett with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sackett uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machida.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sackett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sackett misses with a two punch combination.
Machida scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sackett in his tracks.
Some wild striking there from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to score with a low kick but Sackett moves his leg out of the way.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Machida misses with an uppercut.
Sackett throws a looping overhand right but Machida ducks down to avoid it.
Machida thuds a left hand into Sackett's body.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Machida misses.
Sackett misses with a wild combination.
Machida throws a lazy body kick
and Machida takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sackett slips a jab and a cross from Machida.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Sackett counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sackett misses with a two punch combination.
Machida scores with a head kick. Sackett tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to score with a low kick but Sackett moves his leg out of the way.
Machida throws a wild body kick that Sackett sees coming a mile off.
A low kick from Machida is predictable there
and Sackett counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Machida scores with a leg kick.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sackett lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida had his way with Nolan Sackett in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sackett loads up on a big right hand but Machida slips the punch.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Machida misses with a looping right.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sackett shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sackett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machida throws a series of punches but Sackett avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sackett takes a swing at Machida's ribcage but misses.
Machida walks into a left hand.
Machida tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sackett fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sackett blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sackett.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Sackett counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sackett's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sackett duly obliges.
Machida on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sackett is looking to chop away at Machida's legs.
Sackett tries to land a leg kick but Machida saw it coming and moves away.
Sackett avoids the head kick by Machida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Machida 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sackett throws an overhand right that lands on Machida's shoulder, as Machida tries to avoid the shot.
Sackett lands a nice leg kick that just misses Machida's sensitive parts.
Nolan Sackett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sackett will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sloppy strikes from Sackett. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick misses from Machida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Sackett moves out of range easily.
Sackett misses with an uppercut
and Machida counters with a nice leg kick.
Sackett misses the shot to the body.
Sackett blocks a head kick by Machida.
Sackett throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sackett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Lyoto Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nolan Sackett.
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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machida!
Lyoto Machida decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.