Murad Machaev vs Marcin Held

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

Michael Williams’ twitter account is @thisisthevoice. Someone should tell him that there is only one voice and it is Michael Schiavello.

Round 1: Yamasaki is reffing here so you know this will be on the feet. Marcin Held comes forward, but Murad Machaev has him pinned against the cage. Machaev lands a few shots. Marcin comes forward, but doesn’t land anything cleanly. Marcin kicks. Machaev lunges forward with a punch. Marcin with a leg kick. Machaev is throwing punches from really far away, and not landing.

[[MORE]] Marcin is missing some kicks. Machaev circles away and gets punched; Marcin Held takes it to the ground. Machaev works to the feet. Marcin is working for the takedown, but Machaev is able to stay on the feet. Punches thrown, none landed. Pillowy spinning backfist thrown by Held. Held goes for the takedown, but Machaev is fights to stand. Marcin drags Machaev and jumps on his back, then goes for a leg-lock, but Machaev steps out.

Marcin Held 10-9.

Round 2: Held comes in and eats a left to the temple. Marcin is holding on for dear life, but Machaev is able to defend. Held with a knee from the clinch. Machaev lands a left, then another. Marcin slips and Machaev looks like he landed a punch on the fallen Marcin. Machaev lands a few punches from the clinch. Held looks tired. Marcin sort of rolls into a leg lock and Machaev pulls out. Butt kicks from Machaev and Yamasaki stands them up. Machaev lands another nice left hook.

Machaev needs to come forward. He’s winning the exchanges when he closes the range. Machaev lands a right. Held is tired.

Round 3: Machaev lands a big right hand. Held tries to bait him to the ground, but Machaev is content to land kicks to the butt until Yamasaki stands them up. Marcin Held is landing his jab. Backfist from Held. Machaev needs to push the action. This fight is close.  Machaev is not active enough. He’s landed one really great punch, but that’s it. Held is using the jab. Machaev throwing wild hooks and eating the jab. Held landed another left. Marcin gets a headlock but lets it go.

10-9 Marcin Held.

I’ve got it 29-28 Held.

Judges all score it 29-28 for Marcin Held. Pretty clear. Good decision, terrible fight.