PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Wayne Gracie (ranked 412 p4p, 2514 weight class) and John Dio (ranked 58 p4p, 275 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Thriller by Michael Jackson. John Dio acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gracie
vs
Dio

194 cm
43
269
31 - 10 - 0

190 cm
39
245
21 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Wayne Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 23 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Dio!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dio scores with a jab to the head.
Some wild striking there from Dio.
Gracie has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Marijuana Gardens in the buildup to the fight.
Gracie throws a low kick, looking for Dio's leg but Dio calmly moves out of range.
Gracie with a nice calf kick.
Gracie lands a jab to the head.
A lazy left from Dio finds it's target.
Dio looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Dio tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie looks to land a right hand but Dio moved out of range.
Dio takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
As Dio backs away, Gracie returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dio.
Gracie misses with a body punch
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie looks for the body kick but Dio saw that one coming.
Dio takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dio at a distance.
Dio tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big left from Dio misses.
Gracie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie misses with a hook.
Gracie thumps Dio with a low kick.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Dio.
Dio connects with a single shot there.
Gracie lands a nice hook to Dio's body. Dio takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gracie.
Gracie takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dio lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dio scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Dio trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Dio working to try and regain half guard.
Gracie lands a nice shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gracie looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Gracie has control of Dio's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Dio regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Dio tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a big shot there that rocks Dio but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Gracie moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Dio has worked his arm free - good work by Dio!
Dio dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
Dio is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gracie connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Dio some visible discomfort.
Gracie working away.

Gracie has hold of Dio's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Dio seems comfortable defending it but Gracie has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Dio is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Dio is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Gracie couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Wayne Gracie!
John Wayne Gracie retains his heavyweight title!
John Wayne Gracie decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.