PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and santana machida (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.

Couture
vs
machida

186 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 Tokyo, Thiago Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, santana machida!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture is looking to clinch.
machida keeps the fight on the outside.
Couture tries to clinch there but machida circles away.
machida circles away from the clinch attempt.

machida scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Couture is trying to get back to full guard.
Couture misses with some strikes from the bottom.

machida is working for a kimura but Couture is defending it quite comfortably.
Couture tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

machida is looking for a kimura but Couture is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for machida to get the leverage.
Couture trying to control here.

machida seems to be working for a kimura but Couture defends the submission attempt.
machida slips a nice elbow through Couture's hands, connecting with Couture's forehead.
Couture tries to get to full guard but machida has control of the leg.
machida lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Couture is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of machida's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take machida's back!
Couture punishes machida with strikes from the back mount.
machida wants to control his opponent's hands but Couture gets his hands free.
Couture lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Couture struggling to keep hold of the position.
Couture struggling to land strikes to the head as machida covers up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Couture is trying to stick to machida's back but machida is turning into Couture. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Couture's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by machida.
Couture looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
machida throwing strikes but missing.
machida won't allow Couture to sweep him here.
Couture is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couture manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. machida manages to get himself to full guard.
Couture is breathing heavily.
Couture wanted to stand there but machida had control of the position.

machida escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Couture gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture trying to control the position from guard on top but machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

machida has his foot on Couture's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Couture works his way back into a safe position though.

machida is looking for a triangle but Couture pushes his legs off easily.

machida is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

santana machida dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Couture is looking to clinch but machida is avoiding it.
Couture wants to clinch.
Couture tries to clinch but machida is having none of it.

machida feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture trying to control the position here.
Couture trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
machida cracks Couture with a solid left hand.
Couture is trying to control the position but machida postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

machida drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Couture dives on top into guard.
machida is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couture passes into half guard.

Couture is trying to work for a kimura but machida is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

machida is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Couture pulls his head out easily.
Couture trying to advance position but machida counters by regaining guard.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

machida is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Couture postures up in machida's guard and throws a big left but machida blocks it.
machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Couture tries to free his leg and advance position but machida is retaining full guard.

machida is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Couture rolls with it to try and escape but machida cranks on the arm and Couture is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). santana machida!