PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denny Crane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denny Crane has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Crane
vs
Machida

185 cm
19
215 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

195 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Denny Crane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Crane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machida as he avoids it easily.

Machida bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Machida trying to control the action but Crane is working from the bottom.

Machida is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Crane knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Crane manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Crane is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Machida has managed to free his arm - good work.
Machida makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida wants to sweep here but Crane controlling him for the moment.
Crane stops Machida from standing up.
Machida thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Crane looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machida is on top in guard.
Machida wants to get up but he can't break Crane's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Machida decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Crane, up you get!
Crane is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida is pulling down on Crane's head. It's preventing any offense from Crane, at least for the moment.

Crane decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Machida, up you get!
Crane tries for a takedown but Machida circles away easily

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Crane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machida can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Crane looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crane looking for a guillotine here but Machida defends easily.

Crane is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Machida throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Crane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machida can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Crane has an active guard here but Machida has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crane works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crane keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.

Crane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Machida looking to pass the guard.

Crane is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Crane is keeping the position.
Machida must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Crane looking for a guillotine here but Machida defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Denny Crane will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Crane falls off balance throwing a combination

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Crane moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Machida throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Crane works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Crane throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Crane looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Crane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Crane looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Crane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machida is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Crane looking for submissions off his back.
Machida tries to stand but can't do so whilst Crane controls his leg.
Crane is pressing down on Machida's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Crane wants to sweep but no luck.

Crane is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Machida frees his head nicely. Oh but Crane has switched to an armbar! Machida is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Denny Crane!