PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Justin Dime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralph Machio (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.

Dime
vs
Machio

184 cm
21
188 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
193 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Lion Fightwear

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Dime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ralph Machio!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machio has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dime finds it's way round the side to connect with Machio's head.
Dime lands a right hook to the body.

Machio shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dime is trying to defend but Machio finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dime knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Machio on the ground.
Dime avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Machio.

Machio is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dime sees it coming and defends easily.

Machio seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dime has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machio is working away from the top position though.
Dime wants to improve his position but Machio is controlling well.
Dime is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Machio scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machio is looking to take a break and control but Dime is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dime has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Machio has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dime is trying to get back to full guard.
Machio controlling the action here.
Machio wants to pass to mount but Dime is defending the position.
Machio is taking a breather. Dime says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Machio is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dime has managed to free his arm - good work.

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.
Dime tries to get to full guard but Machio has control of the leg.

Machio is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machio works his way into full mount!
Dime is squirming around, avoiding Machio's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machio sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Dime tries to hold on but Machio postures up.
Dime is squirming around, avoiding Machio's attempts to control the action.
Machio has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Dime's face.

Machio has isolated one of Dime's arms. Dime looking to fight him off but Machio twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ralph Machio!
A victorious Ralph Machio thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.