PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Dio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Monroe Dillard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Monroe Dillard is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dio
vs
Dillard

190 cm
23
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

203 cm
20
278 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Dio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Monroe Dillard!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Hugh Johnson and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dio gets the takedown into side control.
Dillard tries to bench press Dio off him but Dio keeps the position.
A lull in the action here as Dio stalls from top position.
Dio tries to advance to mount but can't.
Dio landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Dio tries for a kimura but Dillard is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dillard being controlled for a moment.
Dio cracks Dillard with a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dillard tries to improve position but can't.
Dillard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Dio decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Dio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Dio manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dillard on his heels. He'll look to pass Dillard's guard now, I'm sure.
Dio landing some decent shots from guard.
Dio's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dio might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dio's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dio forces his way into half guard.
Dio trying to control the pace.

Dio is working for a kimura but Dillard is defending it quite comfortably.
Dio perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've been hearing good reports from Dio's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Dio'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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dillard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dio pulls his head out easily.
Dillard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dio is working away from the top position though.
Dio looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Dillard taking some punishment here, with Dio in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dio is nestled in close to Dillard, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Dio has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dio with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Dillard is trying to control but can't.

Dio stands up from half guard.

Dio shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Dillard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Dio just content to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dio moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dio dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dio scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Dillard is rocked!

It looks like Monroe Dillard has been cut.

Dio gets a big slam - oh, Dillard is out! Dillard is out! That's a nasty KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Slam). John Dio!