PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Macchio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alejandro Cabrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Macchio
vs
Cabrera

188 cm
19
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
21
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ralph Macchio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alejandro Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macchio tries to clinch up but Cabrera circles away and keeps his distance.
Cabrera lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Ralph Macchio has been cut.
Macchio tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cabrera paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Cabrera shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Macchio's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Macchio keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
Cabrera wants to pass the guard but Macchio is keeping the position.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Macchio keeps moving.

Cabrera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cabrera should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Cabrera trying to control but Macchio is working from the bottom.
Cabrera pushing down on Macchio's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cabrera controlling the action here.
Macchio is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabrera thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cabrera performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Macchio is looking to escape.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Cabrera has closed the distance and engaged Macchio in a clinch.
Cabrera tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Macchio is trying to break free.

Macchio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Macchio pushes Cabrera off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Cabrera shoots in and drives through. Macchio sprawls well.
Cabrera looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera tries to clinch there but Macchio circles away.
Macchio darts in trying to clinch

and Cabrera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cabrera.
Cabrera jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Macchio walks away with a smile on his face. Cabrera gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ralph Macchio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Cabrera.

Macchio closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cabrera misses with a body punch.
Cabrera throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Macchio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cabrera shoots for a double leg takedown but Macchio sprawls well. He's pushed Cabrera's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Macchio tries a head kick but it misses.
Macchio closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cabrera counters by clinching up.
Cabrera wants to break free but Macchio has control.
Macchio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Macchio wants to break free but Cabrera has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macchio wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Cabrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Macchio throws a head kick that misses.
Macchio connects with a body shot.
Ralph Macchio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Macchio misses.
Macchio tries to clinch up

and Cabrera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cabrera.
Macchio is trying to break the clinch but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
Macchio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
Macchio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Cabrera.
Cabrera prevents Macchio from breaking the clinch.
Macchio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Cabrera scores with a nice short uppercut.
Macchio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cabrera.

Macchio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macchio is looking to clinch.
Cabrera swats away the attempt to clinch by Macchio.
Macchio tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Cabrera counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Macchio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Macchio wants to clinch
and Cabrera counters with a stiff right hand.
Macchio wants to clinch but Cabrera slips to the side

and Cabrera counters by moving into the clinch.
Cabrera keeps control of Macchio as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Macchio wants to break free but Cabrera has control.
Cabrera tries to stall but Macchio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Macchio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Macchio lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Macchio moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Macchio tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Cabrera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macchio is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Macchio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cabrera is looking to clinch but Macchio is avoiding it.
Macchio looks to clinch

and Cabrera counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Macchio!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alejandro Cabrera will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ralph Macchio's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Macchio throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A head kick lands from Macchio that sends Cabrera to the canvas. Cabrera tries to scramble back to his feet but Macchio brings him back down into side control.

Macchio decides to stand back up. Macchio steps back and let's Cabrera get back to his feet.
Cabrera shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Macchio pinned against the cage. Macchio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Macchio looks to clinch

and Cabrera counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabrera stops Macchio from getting back to his feet.
Cabrera is looking to take a break and control but Macchio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cabrera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Macchio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cabrera.
Macchio wants to get back to his feet.
Cabrera is looking to take a break and control but Macchio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macchio wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Macchio throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cabrera.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cabrera feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Macchio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Macchio keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
Macchio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cabrera landing with the ground and pound.
Cabrera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macchio wants to get back to his feet but Cabrera is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Cabrera closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Macchio to the mat! Macchio manages to get full guard.
Cabrera stops Macchio from standing up.
Cabrera has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cabrera trying to control but Macchio is working from the bottom.
Cabrera forces his way into half guard.
Macchio wants to get back to his feet.
Cabrera landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cabrera looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Macchio is refusing to be controlled, as Cabrera sits in half guard.
Macchio wants to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Macchio wants to clinch but Cabrera slips to the side

and Cabrera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cabrera just leaning against Macchio, taking a breather.
Cabrera jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Macchio walks away with a smile on his face. Cabrera gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Macchio wants to clinch but Cabrera slips to the side

and Cabrera counters with a nice double leg into side control. Macchio won't be happy with that.

Macchio throws Cabrera to one side and escapes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macchio closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cabrera counters with an outside leg kick.
Ralph Macchio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Macchio wants to clinch

and Cabrera counters by clinching up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Macchio can't break the clinch.
Cabrera prevents Macchio from breaking the clinch.

Macchio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Cabrera scores with a takedown into Macchio's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabrera looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macchio keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Cabrera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ralph Macchio's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Macchio throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cabrera throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Macchio stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Macchio tries a head kick but it misses.
Cabrera circles away from the clinch attempt

and Cabrera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Macchio has had enough of the clinch but Cabrera keeps him there for the moment.

Macchio manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Cabrera or perhaps it was just good defense by Macchio which made him look bad.
Macchio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Cabrera forces Macchio back against the cage and clinches.
A short right from Cabrera on the inside.
Cabrera can't break the clinch.
Cabrera tries to pull guard but Macchio won't allow it.
Macchio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cabrera.
Ralph Macchio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Cabrera.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Macchio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera lands an elbow inside.

Macchio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cabrera wants to clinch.
Cabrera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ralph Macchio is winning the standup battle so far.
Cabrera shoots in but Macchio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Macchio moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Macchio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Macchio gets a clinch.

Macchio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cabrera circles away from the clinch attempt

and Cabrera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cabrera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Macchio breaks from the clinch.
Macchio tries to close the distance and clinch but Cabrera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Macchio throws a head kick that misses.

Cabrera gets a clinch.
Macchio has had enough of the clinch but Cabrera keeps him there for the moment.

Cabrera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cabrera tries to clinch but Macchio moves out of range.
Cabrera shoots in for a double leg but Macchio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Macchio throws a head kick that Cabrera semi-blocks.

Macchio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Cabrera drops back looking for a leg! Macchio is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Macchio manages to kick Cabrera off! Cabrera jumps back into Macchio's guard.
Macchio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cabrera trying to control but Macchio is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macchio wants to stand up but Cabrera is controlling him.
Macchio keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
Cabrera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Macchio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alejandro Cabrera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Macchio keeps moving.
Macchio wants to stand but Cabrera is controlling the position.

Cabrera is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Macchio tries to clinch but Cabrera moves away

and Cabrera counters with a nice double leg into side control. Macchio won't be happy with that.
Macchio is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Cabrera asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cabrera trying to control the position but Macchio is working away.
Macchio is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cabrera has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Cabrera decides to stand back up.
Cabrera shoots in looking for a takedown. Macchio tries to sprawl out of it but Cabrera keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Macchio manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Macchio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera avoids the head kick by Macchio.
Ralph Macchio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cabrera pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ralph Macchio.
I think Cabrera has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alejandro Cabrera!