PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Dinapoli (ranked 223 p4p, 1393 weight class) and Moritz Zimmerman (ranked 43 p4p, 207 weight class). The key to victory for Joe Dinapoli has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Dinapoli
vs
Zimmerman

195 cm
22
207
10 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
215
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

Hardcore Alchemy
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Dinapoli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Moritz Zimmerman!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zimmerman takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Dinapoli misses with a hook

and Zimmerman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dinapoli seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zimmerman won't allow Dinapoli to sweep him here.
Zimmerman is pushing down on Dinapoli's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dinapoli is fighting to maintain full guard but Zimmerman has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dinapoli gets back to full guard.
Dinapoli wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Dinapoli keeping full guard, as Zimmerman tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zimmerman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dinapoli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dinapoli on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dinapoli tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman tries to free his leg and advance position but Dinapoli is retaining full guard.

Zimmerman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dinapoli manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Zimmerman has Dinapoli in his guard.

Zimmerman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dinapoli defends it easily.
Zimmerman tries to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zimmerman throws his legs up looking for a submission but Dinapoli uses it to pass to side control.
Zimmerman is looking to reverse the position.
Zimmerman being controlled for a moment.
Zimmerman tries to buck Dinapoli off but Dinapoli is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zimmerman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Zimmerman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dinapoli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zimmerman on the ground.

Zimmerman looking for a guillotine here but Dinapoli defends easily.

Zimmerman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Zimmerman looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dinapoli passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zimmerman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dinapoli off and has taken his back!

Zimmerman working for a choke but Dinapoli is defending well.

Dinapoli showing good submission defense here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman looking to break Dinapoli's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Dinapoli remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zimmerman will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Zimmerman working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Dinapoli is trying to break free.
Zimmerman is trying to stick to Dinapoli's back but Dinapoli is turning into Zimmerman. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Zimmerman's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Dinapoli.
Dinapoli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Zimmerman looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Dinapoli has picked Zimmerman up and slammed him! Zimmerman can't keep hold of the triangle and Dinapoli manages to pass to side control!
Dinapoli trying to control the action but Zimmerman is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zimmerman is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Moritz Zimmerman dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dinapoli scores with a hook.
Dinapoli jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zimmerman shoots in but no luck this time.
Dinapoli throws a counter high kick but Zimmerman was just alert enough to avoid it.
Dinapoli with a nice cross.

It looks like Moritz Zimmerman has been cut.
Dinapoli takes a swing at Zimmerman's ribcage but misses.
Zimmerman with the counter takedown but Dinapoli avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Zimmerman or perhaps it was just good defense by Dinapoli, which made it look bad.
Zimmerman with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dinapoli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Joe Dinapoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moritz Zimmerman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dinapoli dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zimmerman. That did some damage!
Nice jab there from Dinapoli.
Zimmerman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dinapoli counters with a right, left combo that wobbles Zimmerman badly! Dinapoli follows up with a massive right hook, straight to the bridge of the nose that knocks Zimmerman out cold! Oh wow, what a finish! Very reminiscent of Koscheck vs Yoshida as Dinapoli finished him against the cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Joe Dinapoli!
Joe Dinapoli retains his light heavyweight title!
A victorious Joe Dinapoli thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.