PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Dio (ranked 3314 p4p, 303 weight class) and Scott Minerva (ranked 2816 p4p, 266 weight class). Minerva comes into a darkened arena with his song building. My Pal kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! John Dio could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Scott Minerva's chin.

Dio
vs
Minerva

190 cm
30
245 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

183 cm
28
280 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Scott Minerva!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minerva drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Scott Minerva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minerva misses with a low kick.

Dio clinches up with Minerva and pushes him back against the cage.
Minerva working aggressively here.
Dio blocks an elbow strike from Minerva.
Minerva is looking to control Dio's arms but Dio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Minerva has his back to the cage.
Minerva slows down the pace here.
A shot in the inside from Dio.
Minerva is looking to control Dio's arms but Dio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Minerva has his back to the cage.
Minerva throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dio.

Dio breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dio feints and as Minerva raises his hands in defense, Dio changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dio wants to control from the top but Minerva keeps moving.

Minerva working for a triangle but Dio defends it easily.
Dio trying to control but Minerva is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minerva trying to keep a closed guard but Dio is proving a slippery customer.
Dio is looking to work some ground and pound but Minerva has wrist control.
Minerva wants to control the position but Dio says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Minerva manages to get to full guard.
Dio lands a couple of digs.
Dio trying to control but Minerva is working from the bottom.
Dio slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Minerva is looking to reverse the position.
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.
Dio lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Minerva down.

Dio wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Minerva, who protects the arm well.
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 landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Minerva is looking to regain half guard here but Dio keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dio works to advance to full mount. Minerva defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Minerva regains half guard.
Minerva is pressing down on Dio's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Minerva can't keep his opponent in guard - Dio advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dio is trying to control. Minerva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Minerva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dio is looking to work some ground and pound but Minerva has wrist control.

Minerva has his foot on Dio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dio works his way back into a safe position though.
Minerva is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dio with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Minerva trying to control the position.
Dio with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Minerva is looking for a triangle but Dio pushes his legs off easily.
Dio is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Dio stays in close to Minerva's body and controls the position.
Dio distracts Minerva with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dio stands and throws Minerva's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dio lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Minerva sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dio winds up and cracks Minerva with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Dio perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Minerva is trying to stand up here but Dio is controlling him well.
Dio wants to free his trapped foot but Minerva is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are battling for position here. Minerva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Minerva trying to keep a closed guard but Dio is proving a slippery customer.
Dio working some strikes from top position.

Minerva had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dio defends it easily.
Minerva is looking to stand up but Dio isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dio dominated that round.
That's time! Dio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Minerva misses with a straight right.
A punch lands to the side of Minerva 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A lazy body kick from Minerva
and Dio counters with a two punch combo.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Dio here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Minerva swings for the body but Dio moves out of range.
A shot to the body from Minerva misses

and Dio counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Minerva swings wildly with an uppercut but Dio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dio prevents a body shot from Minerva.
Minerva working aggressively here.
Minerva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Dio has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Minerva is trying to keep an underhook but Dio manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Minerva tries to kick Dio off but Dio keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Minerva taking some punishment here, with Dio in his half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Minerva manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Dio keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Minerva throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Dio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Minerva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dio lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minerva misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dio.
Minerva walks into a jab.
Minerva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dio feints a jab promting Minerva to slip. Dio then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Minerva slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Minerva swings for the body but Dio moves out of range.
Dio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Minerva takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Minerva has closed the distance and engaged Dio in a clinch.
Minerva tries to stall but Dio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Minerva prevents Dio from breaking the clinch.
Minerva is pressed up against the cage. Dio has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Minerva down to the mat. Minerva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Minerva looks to score with a jab to the body but Dio is just out of range.
Dio tries to counter with a takedown but Minerva is quick to defend against it.
Dio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Minerva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Minerva throws a low kick but Dio avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dio lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Minerva misses.
Dio tries to counter with a takedown but Minerva is quick to defend against it.
Dio swings for the body but Minerva moves out of range.
Minerva throws a combination that misses

and Dio counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dio.
Minerva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dio prevents a body shot from Minerva.
Minerva misses with a short punch on the inside.

Dio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Minerva has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Minerva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dio drops down looking for a counter takedown but Minerva sprawls and moves away.
Minerva misses with an uppercut
and Dio counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Minerva misses the body punch
and Dio connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Minerva.
Minerva just misses with a punch to the body.
Minerva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dio slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Dio moves into the clinch successfully.
Minerva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dio tries to circle away but Minerva has him pinned against the cage.
Minerva fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dio avoids the elbow strike from Minerva, against the cage.
Dio has Minerva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Minerva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dio as Minerva tries to tie him up.
Minerva tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dio's elbow.
Dio blocks an elbow strike.
Dio is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Minerva can do to turn this around?
Dio is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Minerva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minerva is leaning against Dio and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Still in the clinch, Minerva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dio blocks an uppercut.
Minerva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Minerva landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minerva tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dio is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dio wants to take the fight to the mat but Minerva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Minerva throws a head punch that misses.
Minerva throws a head punch that misses.
Minerva throws an elbow but it misses.
Minerva struggles to land a body shot inside as Dio controls his hands.
Minerva misses with some punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minerva tries to work over Dio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Minerva fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Minerva connects with a body shot that sends Dio's belly button to the back.
John Dio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minerva throws a body punch but Dio moves out of range.

Minerva gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Minerva misses with some punches.
Dio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Dio will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Minerva throws a lazy right hand but Dio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dio swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Dio scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Minerva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It seemed like Minerva was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Minerva ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
John Dio is winning the standup battle so far.
Minerva missing with a left hand there. Dio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Minerva digs a good hook to Dio's body.

Minerva takes the fight into the clinch.
Dio is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minerva throws an elbow but it misses.
Dio tries to break the clinch but Minerva is controlling the position.

Dio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Minerva lands with a nice body punch.
Dio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minerva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dio manages to avoid it.
Dio takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Minerva closes the distance and clinches up with Dio, looking for a takedown. Minerva pushes Dio against the cage but Dio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Minerva cracks Dio with an open hand slap.
Minerva cracks the inside of Dio's front leg.
Minerva looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dio is fending him off so far but Minerva persists. Nope, Dio circles away and we're back to standing.
Dio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Minerva has closed the distance and engaged Dio in a clinch.
Dio tries to break free but Minerva pushes him back against the cage.
Dio is looking for a takedown.
Dio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Minerva pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minerva misses with the combination.
Dio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minerva scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minerva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Minerva swings for the body but Dio moves out of range.
Minerva misses with a straight left.
Dio tries to counter with a takedown but Minerva is quick to defend against it.
Minerva cracks a nice hook into Dio's ribs.
Dio lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Minerva throws a body shot but no joy.
Dio takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Dio has Minerva up against the cage in a clinch.
Minerva misses with a body punch.
Dio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dio drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Minerva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dio has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Minerva after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minerva tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dio's elbow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Minerva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dio is defending well for now.
Minerva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Minerva fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Minerva swings wildly with an uppercut but Dio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dio wants to break the clinch but can't.
Minerva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Minerva lands a hook to the side of the head.
Minerva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dio can't break the clinch.
Minerva is trying to maintain a safe position but Dio gets an underhook and turns Minerva into the cage.
Dio is trying to push Minerva away but Minerva has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Scott Minerva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minerva has a couple of punches blocked by Dio.

Dio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Minerva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Minerva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Dio misses the target.
Minerva swings for the body but Dio moves out of range.
A big left from Minerva misses.
Minerva digs a good hook to Dio's body.
Minerva is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dio rather than just go for the knockout.
Dio scores with a body shot.
Minerva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Minerva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dio lunges at Minerva with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Minerva's hand.
John Dio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Minerva jabs Dio to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dio moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Minerva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Dio!
John Dio decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.