PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dave Dinkum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lemuel Rihia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dinkum
vs
Rihia

183 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dave Dinkum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lemuel Rihia!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dinkum avoids the head kick by Rihia.
Rihia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dinkum sprawls well. Dinkum wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rihia gets slowly back to his feet.
Dinkum lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rihia wants to clinch
and Dinkum counters with a right hand to the body.

Dinkum closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dinkum lands in his opponent's guard.
Dinkum missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Rihia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dinkum doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dinkum manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dinkum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rihia is keeping the position for now.
Rihia is striking off his back. Dinkum thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Dinkum seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dinkum stands up and beckons Rihia to join him on the feet.
Rihia tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dinkum counters with a body kick.
Rihia darts in trying to clinch
and Dinkum counters with a good, hard body kick but Rihia shrugs it off.
Dinkum changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rihia tries to avoid it but Dinkum manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rihia to the ground. Rihia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rihia takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dinkum.
Rihia fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dinkum clinches up with Rihia and pushes him back against the cage.
Dinkum changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rihia fights it off and pushes away nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rihia fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dinkum avoids it really well and circles away.
Dave Dinkum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lemuel Rihia.
Rihia looks gassed!

Dinkum fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rihia, pushing him back against the cage.
Rihia is trying to pull guard but Dinkum turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rihia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice body punch from Dinkum - that landed with a thud.
Dinkum drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rihia pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dinkum shoots in but Rihia avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rihia clinches.
Dinkum prevents Rihia from breaking the clinch.
Rihia is looking to break free of the clinch but Dinkum has double underhooks.
Rihia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rihia wants to get back to striking at distance but Dinkum won't allow it.

Dinkum ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dinkum no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Rihia drops back, looking for a kneebar! Dinkum looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Dinkum looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Dinkum!
Dinkum works to advance to full mount. Rihia defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dinkum throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Rihia is in all sorts of trouble here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dinkum controlling the pace for now.
Rihia is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Dinkum manages to capitalize on a mistake by Rihia to take his back!

Rihia is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Dinkum gets his way!

Rihia showing good submission defense here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dinkum is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Dinkum dominated that 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.

Dinkum swats away the attempt to clinch by Rihia.
Nice sprawl there from Rihia as Dinkum shoots in.

Rihia closes the distance and clinches.
Dinkum looking for a takedown.
Dinkum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rihia's efforts to push away.
Rihia jumps guard but Dinkum turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Rihia manages to pull guard.
Dinkum passes Rihia's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rihia really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dinkum. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dinkum prevents Rihia from standing back up.
Dinkum with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dinkum is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rihia is just riding it out for now. Dinkum eventually gives up the hold.
Rihia pushes Dinkum off looking to stand but Dinkum dives back in and keeps control.
Rihia flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Dinkum seems to be working for a kimura but Rihia defends the submission attempt.
Dinkum looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rihia pushes Dinkum off looking to stand but Dinkum dives back in and keeps control.
Dinkum has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rihia's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Rihia is breathing heavily.
Dinkum throws some wild stikes that Rihia manages to avoid easily.
Dinkum throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rihia because Dinkum loaded up on that one.
Dinkum won't let Rihia get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rihia is trying to stand but he's just given Dinkum his back.
Rihia trying to get back to his feet but Dinkum is in full control for now.
What can Rihia do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Dinkum's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Dinkum misses with punches from the back.
Dinkum is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dinkum seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Rihia for as long as he can get away with.

Rihia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Dinkum.
Rihia looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dinkum keeps control of the position easily here as Rihia tries to buck him off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Dinkum 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!

Dinkum moves away from the strike by Rihia.
Rihia is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dinkum has a takedown stuffed.
Dinkum connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rihia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dinkum counters with a two punch combo.
Dinkum swats away the attempt to clinch by Rihia.
Rihia wants to clinch but Dinkum slips to the side
and Dinkum counters with a big head kick but Rihia shrugs it off.
Rihia feints a jab promting Dinkum to slip. Rihia then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dinkum slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Dave Dinkum has been cut.
Dinkum closes the distance and clinches up with Rihia, looking for a takedown. Dinkum pushes Rihia against the cage but Rihia circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dinkum displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rihia.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dinkum clinches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Dinkum pulls guard successfully.
Dinkum seems keen to control Rihia's posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Dinkum throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rihia tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dinkum manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dinkum misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Dinkum. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dinkum moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rihia goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dinkum prevents it.
Dinkum wants a takedown but no success here.
Dinkum keeps control of Rihia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rihia has had enough of the clinch but Dinkum keeps him there for the moment.

Rihia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lemuel Rihia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rihia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dinkum displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rihia throws out the jab.
Rihia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dinkum lands a two punch combo.
Dave Dinkum is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dinkum throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rihia's head.
Dinkum stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dinkum wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dinkum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rihia defends it nicely.
Dave Dinkum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rihia throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dinkum tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rihia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dinkum somewhat.
Horrible takedown by Rihia or perhaps it was just good defense by Dinkum which made him look bad.

Dinkum has managed to clinch.
Rihia has a couple of punches blocked by Dinkum.

Dinkum breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rihia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dinkum moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Dinkum.
Dinkum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dinkum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rihia defends it nicely.
Rihia is looking to clinch but Dinkum is avoiding it.
Rihia misses with a takedown attempt - Dinkum sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dinkum.
Lemuel Rihia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rihia wants to clinch up but Dinkum keeps it at a distance.
Rihia tries to bum rush Dinkum with a series of wild strikes but Dinkum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dave Dinkum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dinkum darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dave Dinkum.
Well Dinkum has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Dinkum!