PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Ruth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralph Machio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ruth
vs
Machio

178 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
30
193 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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Aspire Nutrition
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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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Ruth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ralph Machio!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruth pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've been hearing reports that Ruth has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A slow jab from Ruth misses its intended target.
Machio drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ruth defends it well.
Machio ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruth avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ruth half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Machio is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ruth's half guard.
Machio is trying to control the action in half guard but Ruth is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ruth wants to improve his position but Machio is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruth trying to control from the bottom.
Ruth tries to get to full guard but Machio has control of the leg.
Ruth avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Machio.
Ruth gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruth looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Machio stopping the sweep attempt from Ruth.
Machio throwing strikes but missing.
Machio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruth seems keen to control Machio's posture.
Ruth is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Machio has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ruth is working away from the top position though.

Machio actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machio trying to get back to full guard but Ruth takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ruth punishing his opponent with strikes.
Machio sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Ruth is trying to control the action in half guard but Machio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ruth tries to pass to full mount but Machio defends it.
Machio is looking to improve his position.
Ruth is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Machio trying to hold on to Ruth's head to control him but Ruth postures up.
Ground and pound from Ruth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ruth lands a nice short elbow.
Ruth slows the pace down in half guard.
Machio wants to improve his position but Ruth is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ruth connects with a nice short shot to Machio's temple.
Ruth is trying to control the action in half guard but Machio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Machio makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Machio.
Ruth trying to control the position from guard on top but Machio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machio wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruth postures up and lands a big shot to Machio's brow.
Ruth in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ruth postures up.
Machio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ruth pushing down on Machio's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ruth trying to pass the guard but Machio defending well.
Ruth 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.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ruth connects with a nice short shot to Machio's temple.
Ruth wants to take a breather but Machio is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ruth seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Machio is pressing down on Ruth's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ruth is in close to Machio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Ruth dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Machio drives through with a takedown into guard.

Machio has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Ruth to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Machio is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Ruth pulls down on the head and he's put Machio to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Ruth!
The defeated Ralph Machio had this to say: 'I will see you again. And next time, I won't take it easy.'.