PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael G Dias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rizoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafael G Dias has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

G Dias
vs
Machida

188 cm
21
201 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
174 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

RMC - $ 11 Shorts!

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael G Dias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rizoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
G Dias doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters with a takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Machida wants to control but G Dias is keeping him busy.
G Dias is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Machida has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Machida throws an elbow but G Dias slips to the side and avoids it well.
Machida scores with a couple of short elbows.
G Dias is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
G Dias takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Machida wants to control but G Dias is keeping him busy.
Machida scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
G Dias is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Machida is controlling him well.
Machida taking a break here but G Dias is having none of it and regains half guard.
G Dias wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Machida controlling the pace.
Machida is trying to control the action in half guard but G Dias is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
G Dias is trying to stand up here but Machida is controlling him well.
Machida thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed G Dias's head.
G Dias pushes Machida off looking to stand but Machida dives back in and keeps control.
Machida throwing shots but G Dias is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida stops G Dias from getting back to his feet.
Machida wants to lay and pray for a moment but G Dias keeps working.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Rizoto Machida has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
G Dias misses with a takedown attempt

and Machida counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
G Dias is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The strikes coming from Machida are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
G Dias is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
G Dias is not content to let Machida control the position.

G Dias throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

G Dias throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Machida tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. G Dias is in Machida's guard.
Machida keeping full guard, as G Dias tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
G Dias throwing strikes but missing.

G Dias drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Machida dives on top into guard.
Machida trying to control but G Dias is working from the bottom.
G Dias wants to stand up but Machida is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but G Dias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rizoto Machida dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

G Dias shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Machida as G Dias shoots in.
G Dias shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael G Dias. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
G Dias is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Machida is controlling him.
Machida trying to control but G Dias is working from the bottom.
G Dias on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if G Dias tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Machida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machida must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Machida trying to control but G Dias is working from the bottom.
Machida is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rizoto Machida hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
G Dias doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters with a single leg into guard. G Dias didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
G Dias wants to stand but Machida is controlling the position.
Machida looking to sit in guard and control but G Dias gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
G Dias wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Machida is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

G Dias postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Machida is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of G Dias, into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machida wants to control from the top but G Dias keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

G Dias has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Machida off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
G Dias misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Machida. No joy for G Dias on that attempt.

Machida fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. G Dias sprawls well initially but Machida persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Machida missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Machida wants to control but G Dias is keeping him busy.
G Dias wants to get back to his feet.
G Dias avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Machida.

G Dias manages to escape and get back to his feet!

G Dias bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

G Dias is trying to get an arm triangle but Machida is defending well.

G Dias looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rizoto Machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Machida leaves G Dias with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from G Dias is defended easily by Machida.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida shoots for a takedown but G Dias saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
G Dias shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machida defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael G Dias. That's going to take a lot out of him.
G Dias with a poor takedown

and Machida counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in G Dias's guard now.
G Dias is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
G Dias preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but G Dias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
G Dias wants to stand and escape but Machida is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida trying to control but G Dias is working from the bottom.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Machida. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
G Dias wants to get back to his feet but Machida is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
G Dias keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rizoto Machida wasn't active enough on the ground.
G Dias doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters with a shoot takedown. G Dias fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Machida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Machida accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed G Dias's guard.
Machida throwing shots but G Dias is blocking nicely.
Machida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Machida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
G Dias tries to kick Machida off but Machida keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
G Dias tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Machida manages to move to mount!
Machida scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Machida lands a big shot there that rocks G Dias but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Machida.
Machida lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida working away from the top, dropping strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as G Dias is looking to escape.
Machida misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Rizoto Machida is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Machida trying to control but he's not successful this time.
G Dias trying desperately to get to his feet.
Machida looking to control and managing it successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
G Dias's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rizoto Machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machida winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rizoto Machida!