PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Idesiku Ikupe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Machida
vs
Ikupe

185 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Idesiku Ikupe!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Ikupe shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Machida ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ikupe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machida's waist but Machida gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ikupe off to one side.
Machida lands a leg kick that knocks Ikupe off balance momentarily.

Ikupe moves into the clinch.

Ikupe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida connects with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ikupe shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ikupe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ikupe tries to clinch up.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ikupe misses with a double jab

and Machida counters with a left and a right that hurts Ikupe! He wobbles and falls to the floor - he's in big trouble! Machida jumps into full mount!
Ikupe looks winded!
Ikupe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ikupe is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Ikupe holds on to Machida around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Ikupe is squirming around, avoiding Machida's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida controlling from the full mount.
Ikupe manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Machida trying to control from half guard but Ikupe is working away.
Machida prevents Ikupe from standing back up.
Ikupe is refusing to be controlled, as Machida sits in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lyoto Machida.
Machida throws a right and a left that Ikupe avoids nicely.
Ikupe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ikupe.
Machida lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ikupe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Machida counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Idesiku Ikupe has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ikupe is looking to clinch.
Ikupe looks to land a combination but Machida avoids it well.
Machida connects with an inside leg kick.
Machida looks to land a combination but Ikupe avoids it well.
Machida scores with a jab to the body.
Ikupe takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ikupe avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Machida lands a high kick!
Machida scores with a shot to the body.
Machida scores with a jab. Ikupe acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Machida lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Machida moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida connects with a high kick.
Machida scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Ikupe clinches up with Machida and pushes him back against the cage.
Machida blocks an uppercut.
Machida has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ikupe throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Machida's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Ikupe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Ikupe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida throws a series of punches but Ikupe moves out of range.
Machida connects with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Ikupe has Machida up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ikupe breaks from the clinch.
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Ikupe is just out of range.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Ikupe forces Machida back against the cage and clinches.
Ikupe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ikupe misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machida.
Ikupe prevents Machida from breaking the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ikupe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Idesiku Ikupe's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

No joy there for Ikupe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lyoto Machida is winning the standup battle so far.
Ikupe moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Machida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ikupe throws a series of punches but Machida avoids them all with ease.
Ikupe throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ikupe tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Machida keeps the fight on the outside.
Machida throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Ikupe moves out of range easily.
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 swats away the attempt to clinch by Ikupe.
Machida lands with a nice combination. Ikupe backs away looking to recover.
Ikupe is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikupe fails with an attempt to clinch.

A big head kick from Machida and Ikupe is sent sprawling to the canvas!

Ikupe is rocked!
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!
Ikupe wants to stand but Machida is controlling the position.
Ikupe is still in real trouble! Can Machida finish him?
Machida looking to pass the guard.
Machida is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ikupe can do to turn this around?

Ikupe is working an open guard so Machida takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ikupe seems to have recovered his senses.
An inside leg kick lands from Machida.
Ikupe misses with a few strikes there.
Machida throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Machida closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Machida feints and then cracks Ikupe's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ikupe down.
Machida is looking to wear down Ikupe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Machida scores with a nice body kick.
Ikupe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida throws a left that rocks Ikupe and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Machida dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Ikupe regain composure!
Ikupe wants to get back to his feet.
Machida working away.
Ikupe is letting Machida control him for a moment.
Ikupe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Machida tries to move to mount but Ikupe blocks the move with his legs.
Ikupe is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Machida asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ikupe is not content to let Machida control the position.
Ikupe is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Machida prevents Ikupe from standing back up.
Ikupe is not content to let Machida control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Lyoto Machida wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Machida lands a two punch combo.

That has opened up Idesiku Ikupe's cut even more.
Lyoto Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida connects with a body shot that sends Ikupe's belly button to the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida throws a head kick that Ikupe semi-blocks.
Machida plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Ikupe moves out of range easily.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Machida catches Ikupe with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ikupe looks for a takedown but Machida sprawls well.
Ikupe moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machida throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machida swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Idesiku Ikupe's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ikupe misses with a few strikes there.
Ikupe tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Ikupe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Machida, pushing him back against the cage.
Machida blocks an elbow strike.
Machida wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ikupe throws a head punch that misses.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ikupe swings wildly with an uppercut but Machida uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ikupe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ikupe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machida tries to break free but Ikupe pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machida.
Nice elbow from Ikupe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikupe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Machida wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ikupe has him pressed against the cage.
Ikupe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Machida's efforts to push away.
Ikupe throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.

Ikupe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ikupe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Machida swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida misses with a few strikes there.
Machida throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ikupe.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Ikupe takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Machida misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikupe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ikupe tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.
Ikupe takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Machida is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ikupe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ikupe darts in and clinches Machida up against the cage.
Ikupe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ikupe misses with some punches.
A frustrated look appears on Machida's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ikupe has Machida pressed against the cage, preventing Machida from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ikupe misses with the head strike.
Machida tries to circle away but Ikupe has him pinned against the cage.
Ikupe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Machida's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ikupe lands a left hand that snaps the head of Machida backwards.
Ikupe throws an elbow but it misses.
Ikupe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ikupe trying to control the position but instead, Machida has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ikupe into the cage.
Ikupe tries a body shot but Machida blocks it.
Machida has had enough of the clinch but Ikupe keeps him there for the moment.
Machida blocks an uppercut.
Machida blocking some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Machida as Ikupe tries to tie him up.
Ikupe misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ikupe working aggressively here.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Machida is looking to break free of the clinch but Ikupe has double underhooks.
Machida wants to get back to striking at distance but Ikupe won't allow it.
Machida can't break the clinch.
Ikupe slowing the pace effectively.
Machida blocks an uppercut.

Ikupe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machida connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Ikupe to the floor! Machida dives in looking for the finish!
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!
Ikupe regains full guard. Nicely done.
Idesiku Ikupe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ikupe can do anything to dispel that myth.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ikupe wants to get back to his feet but Machida is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ikupe keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machida, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machida!