Bellator 222 live blog: Lyoto Machida vs. Chael Sonnen

This is the Bellator 222 live blog for Lyoto Machida vs. Chael Sonnen, a Bellator light heavyweight fight at Friday’s Bellator event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Machida, who is 3-2 in his last five fights, will face Sonnen, who is 2-3 in his last five fights, in the co-main event.

Check out the Bellator 222 live blog.

Round 1:
 The bell rings and Sonner charges across the cage immediately. Sonnen shoots a double and has Machida against the fence but is unable to convert. Machida gets back to space and is landing some good knees and kicks to the body on the pressuring Sonnen. Sonnen clinches up again and throws Machida, ending up on the back! Machida stands and gets to the cage though. Sonnen is controlling against the cage but nothing much is happening. Machida turns Sonnen and backs out. A great body kick from Machida hurts Sonnen and a jumping knee drops him! Machida is swarming and Sonnen is trying to grab ahold and stay alive. Sonnen is tying up and clearing his head, recomposing his guard. Sonnen scrambles but Machida is staying on him and hammering away with punches and elbows! Sonnen is turtling and the ref is about to jump in but Sonnen is back to his feet and clinched up. Now Machida is breathing heavily and Sonnen survives to the bell, calling for water.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-8 Machida.

Round 2: Sonnen is in great condition as he looks mostly okay for having almost been stopped and he charges across the cage again. Sonnen shotos in and Machida counters with another jumping knee that drops him again! Machida is swarming Sonnen against the fence, hammering away and Sonnen cannot move. The referee has seen enough and Machida gets the TKO victory.

Official results: Lyoto Machida defeats Chael Sonnen by TKO (strikes) at 0:22 of round two.