PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mubarak Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyler Durden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Machida
vs
Durden

188 cm
24
206 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

220 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mubarak Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyler Durden!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Durden.
Machida finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Durden shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Machida keeps the fight on the outside.

Machida looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Machida throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Durden works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Durden is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durden throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Machida trying to control but Durden is working from the bottom.
Durden working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Durden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durden preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machida stops Durden from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Machida.

Machida tries for a kimura but Durden is defending well.
Durden is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durden is not content to let Machida control the position.

Machida tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Durden looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Machida is looking to take a break and control but Durden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Machida looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Machida trying to control the position but Durden is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durden on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Machida is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Durden has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machida passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Durden!
Durden is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Machida thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Machida throwing strikes here but Durden is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Machida thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Machida unloads with some shots from mount but Durden bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durden avoids a series of strikes thrown by Machida.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durden manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Machida not doing much here.
Durden blocking the ground and pound attempt from Machida.
Durden is trying to control but can't.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but Durden is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida moves nicely into side control.
Machida trying to control the action but Durden is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mubarak Machida dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Durden fails in his attempt to clinch.
Durden tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida misses with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Machida. That's going to slow Durden down.
Durden doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into side control. Durden won't be happy with that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durden is trying to improve his position.
Machida tries to advance to mount but Durden denies him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is looking to take a break and control but Durden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Durden wants to control but Machida postures up.

Machida goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Durden has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Machida but great work by Durden.
Machida wants to control but Durden postures up.
Machida is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Durden's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Machida has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Durden prevents Machida from improving his position.

Machida is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Durden pulls his head out easily.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Machida is trying to control but can't.
Machida is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Machida keeping hold of Durden's head, controlling as best he can.
Machida punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is controlling Durden's trapped leg to prevent Durden from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Machida manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Machida pulls Durden in close to prevent any damage.

Durden avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Durden trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machida is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Durden can do to turn this around?
Machida controls Durden momentarily but Durden frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Durden from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Durden misses with a takedown
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles Durden's knee momentarily.
Mubarak Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyler Durden.
Durden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Durden misses with a takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Machida looks to throw the jab but Durden is out of range.
Machida stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Durden.
Good leg kick by Machida there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Machida connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mubarak Machida dominated that second round.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Durden shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Durden misses with an attempted mid kick.
Durden shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machida defends it nicely.
Durden misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Durden is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Machida scores with a takedown into Durden's guard.
Durden is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mubarak Machida overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida trying to control but Durden is working from the bottom.
Machida controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida pushes down on Durden's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Machida is trying to control. Durden wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Still in half guard, Machida seems content to control.
Machida is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Durden wants to control but Machida is having none of it.
Machida looking to finish with strikes here!
Durden wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Mubarak Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida is cranking Durden's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Durden! He's tightened the choke and Durden is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mubarak Machida!