PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazuteru Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Druff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Druff has chosen Awol Nation - Sail as his entrance music. Dan Druff is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Machida
vs
Druff

182 cm
23
211 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

183 cm
29
233 lbs
7 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Kore Fight Nutrition [TG]

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kazuteru Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Druff!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machida scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Druff wants to control but Machida postures up.
Druff might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Machida haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Machida thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Druff tries to buck Machida off but Machida is having none of it.
The strikes coming from Machida are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Machida trying to control the action but Druff is working from the bottom.
Machida tries to advance to mount but Druff denies him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida working the ground and pound.
Druff struggling a bit here.
We've been hearing good reports from Machida's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druff is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Machida asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Machida is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Druff knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Machida prevents Druff from escaping the position.
Druff tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Machida tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Machida working the ground and pound but Druff is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to move into full mount but can't pass Druff's legs.
Druff is not content to let Machida control the position.
Druff struggling a bit here.

Machida tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Machida trying to control the action but Druff is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida swings around for an armbar but Druff sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Machida's guard.
Druff really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Machida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Druff is one step ahead there.
Machida pulls Druff in close to prevent any damage.
Machida tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Druff is working Machida over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Druff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Machida is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Druff stands up over Machida, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Machida wants to improve his position but instead Druff has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida moves into full guard.
Druff is working Machida over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Druff accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Machida is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Machida throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Druff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Machida trying to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Druff is looking to work some ground and pound but Machida has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuteru Machida dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Machida closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Druff did well to prevent Machida getting side control.
Machida prevents Druff from standing back up.

Machida is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Druff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Machida.
Machida trying to control the action but Druff is working from the bottom.
Druff misses with some strikes from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Druff trying to control from the bottom.
Druff is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Machida lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druff won't allow Machida to pass to mount.

Machida seems to be looking for submissions.
Druff is trying to get back to full guard.
Druff trying to control but Machida postures up.

Machida is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Druff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Machida.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but Druff is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Druff wants to improve his position but Machida is controlling well.
Machida stops Druff from getting back to his feet.
Machida wants to lay and pray for a moment but Druff keeps working.
Machida stalling away here and it's allowed Druff to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Machida wants to control from the top but Druff keeps moving.
Machida looking to sit in guard and control but Druff gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Machida working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Druff.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Druff being controlled here momentarily.

Machida is looking for a triangle but Druff pushes his legs off easily.
Machida trying to control the position.
Druff stays in close to Machida's body and controls the position.
Druff landing some decent shots from guard.
Druff trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
Druff throws a strike but Machida rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Machida with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida distracts Druff with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Druff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida with a flurry of punches that miss.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Machida is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Machida controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuteru Machida dominated that second 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Machida closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Machida is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Druff has escaped the position, nice work there.
Druff struggling a bit here.
Machida throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Druff's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Druff is looking for a sweep.
Machida sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Druff is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druff taking punishment in the form of punches.

Machida tries for a kimura but Druff is defending well.
Machida creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Druff sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Machida has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Druff is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Machida yanks on the arm and Druff is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Machida.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kazuteru Machida!
Kazuteru Machida managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Kore Fight Nutrition [TG], into his post fight interview.