PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Royce Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Dixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dixon has chosen It's A Fight by Three 6 Mafia as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Rua
vs
Dixon

179 cm
24
180 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
176 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mason Dixon!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua tries to clinch up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dixon.
Dixon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dixon blocks a head kick by Rua.
A punch lands to the side of Rua 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rua looks for a takedown but Dixon sprawls well.
Rua tries to clinch there but Dixon circles away.
Rua fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rua shoots in and drives through. Dixon sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dixon throws the kick towards the body but Rua avoids it.
Dixon stuffs the takedown attempt from Rua. Rua gets slowly back to his feet.
Dixon connects with a jab.

Dixon tries to keep at a distance but Rua has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Dixon in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon can't break the clinch.
Dixon wants to get back to striking at distance but Rua won't allow it.
Rua misses with an elbow over the top.
Rua gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Dixon wants to break free but Rua has control.
Dixon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Dixon avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Dixon is trying to break free.
Dixon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Dixon on the inside.
Rua taking a breather.
Dixon dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Dixon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Dixon is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dixon is trying to break free.
Rua wants a takedown.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Dixon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Dixon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua keeps control of Dixon as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dixon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua leaning against his opponent.
Dixon avoids a wild elbow strike from Rua.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Dixon's brow.

Dixon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dixon tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua tries to clinch up
and Dixon counters with a stiff right hand.
Rua looks for a takedown but Dixon sprawls well.

Rua clinches.

Dixon breaks the clinch.
Dixon works over Rua's head and body with a nice combination.
Rua throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Dixon to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Royce Rua has been cut.
Dixon cracks Rua with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dixon lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A lazy left from Dixon finds it's target.
Dixon wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua misses with a takedown
and Dixon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
No joy there for Dixon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Decent striking displayed by Dixon there.
Dixon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rua takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dixon lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rua takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dixon jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dixon is looking to land body kicks.
Dixon displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dixon fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rua on the side of the head.
Dixon lands with a hook. Rua tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Dixon catches Rua with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Dixon throws a one two combo.

Rua is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dixon lands a lovely overhand right.
Dixon scores with a jab to the body.
Dixon with a jab.

Dixon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dixon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rua tries to land knees in the clinch but Dixon avoids the damage to the body.
Dixon can't break the clinch.
Dixon is looking to break free of the clinch but Rua has double underhooks.
Dixon wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dixon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua looking for a takedown.

Dixon breaks from the clinch.
Rua takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rua takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dixon lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Dixon.
Dixon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.
Dixon lands with a straight right. Rua didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mason Dixon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Royce Rua's cut.
That's time! Rua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dixon's corner calls for a 1-2. Dixon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dixon swats away the attempt to clinch by Rua.
Rua has his takedown stuffed
letting Dixon counter with a right hand.
Rua on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rua darts in trying to clinch
and Dixon counters with a nice uppercut.
Dixon scores with a shot to the body.
Dixon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rua circles away.
Dixon works Rua's body with a nice hook.

Dixon closes the distance and clinches.
Dixon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dixon tries to break the clinch but Rua is controlling the position.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Dixon wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dixon is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dixon blocks an elbow strike from Rua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua keeps control of Dixon as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dixon managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.

Dixon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rua has his takedown stuffed
and Dixon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rua is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dixon.
Rua looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rua ducks right into an uppercut from Dixon.

Dixon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Dixon manages to break the clinch.
Rua shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Dixon clinches up with Rua and pushes him back against the cage.
Dixon is trying to break free.

Dixon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rua gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Dixon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dixon fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dixon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dixon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rua at a distance.
Dixon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rua at a distance.
Dixon misses with the combination.
Dixon cracks Rua with an open hand slap.
Dixon connects with a single shot there.
Royce Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dixon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dixon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rua tries to clinch but Dixon moves out of range.
Dixon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rua paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dixon lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rua backs up against the cage.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Rua. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Rua tries to clinch but Dixon moves away
and Dixon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua moves out of range of the body kick from Dixon.
Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua clinches but Dixon breaks the clinch
and Dixon counters with a one-two to the body.

Royce Rua's cut is getting worse.
Dixon lands a two punch combo.
Rua drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dixon drops Rua with a nice combination! Dixon dives into Rua's guard, looking to finish!
Oh Rua is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dixon pushing down on Rua's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rua seems to have got his legs back now.
Dixon tries to stand and escape but Rua is controlling the position.
Rua has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dixon is working away from the top position though.
Dixon is keen to just control but Rua is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dixon tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rua.
Rua wants to improve his position but Dixon is controlling well.
Rua trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dixon wants to stand up but Rua is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mason Dixon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Royce Rua's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Dixon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rua on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rua tries to clinch but Dixon is having none of it.
Rua takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Rua scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rua stops Dixon from getting back to his feet.
Rua with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua is keen to just control but Dixon is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon is trying to stand back up but Rua is controlling him
Rua seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dixon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rua is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rua will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Royce Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Dixon has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dixon can't break the clinch.
Rua misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dixon.

Dixon breaks the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dixon.
Dixon scores with a sloppy right hand. Rua should have avoided that one.
Dixon circles away from the clinch attempt
and Dixon counters with a stiff right hand.
Mason Dixon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dixon stalks Rua and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rua's face. Rua staggers backwards, shaken.
Dixon lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dixon throws a push kick but Rua slaps the foot to one side.
Dixon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice shot lands for Dixon.
A right-left combo lands from Dixon.
Rua looks to clinch
and Dixon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua tries to clinch but Dixon moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Dixon scores with a four punch combination!
Dixon lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dixon getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Dixon lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dixon moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Dixon scores with a three punch combo!
Dixon lands with a hook. Rua tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rua misses with a takedown
and Dixon counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rua takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dixon stuns Rua with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Royce Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dixon scores with a sloppy right hand. Rua should have avoided that one.
Rua moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dixon shoots in and drives through. Rua sprawls well.
Dixon is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch but Dixon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A left and a right from Dixon both land. Nice combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Dixon.
Dixon slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dixon stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dixon digs a good hook to Rua's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rua gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Dixon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mason Dixon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dixon dips to his left and cracks Rua with an uppercut!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mason Dixon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dixon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Mason Dixon!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Mason Dixon!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Mason Dixon!

Mason Dixon wins by unanimous decision!