PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rancho Wildslap (ranked 2710 p4p, 74 weight class) and John Dio (ranked 3283 p4p, 91 weight class). Wildslap's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Get Schwifty. John Dio will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Wildslap
vs
Dio

190 cm
33
247 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

190 cm
28
245 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rancho Wildslap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Dio!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wildslap will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wildslap throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dio's waist but Dio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wildslap off to one side.
Dio throws a right and a left that both miss.

Dio pushes Wildslap up against the cage in a clinch.
Wildslap looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rancho Wildslap. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dio lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Wildslap's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Wildslap is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Wildslap looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dio looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Dio looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Wildslap makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Wildslap.
Dio postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dio working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wildslap manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dio manages to get himself to full guard.

Wildslap looking to pass the guard.
Dio is pulling down on Wildslap's head to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dio is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wildslap looking to pass the guard.
Wildslap is fighting to break Dio's control of his arms but Dio is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wildslap stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wildslap is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wildslap wants to control from the top but Dio keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dio holds on and takes a little breather.
Wildslap prevents Dio from getting back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dio looks to land a combination but Wildslap avoids it well.
Wildslap drops down looking for a counter takedown but Dio sprawls and moves away.

Dio instigates a clinch.
Wildslap tries to score a body lock takedown but Dio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wildslap jumps guard but Dio stands there with Wildslap around his waist. Wildslap gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dio stops a takedown attempt from Wildslap.

Wildslap jumps guard and drags Dio to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Dio postures up.
Dio postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dio trying to control the position from guard on top but Wildslap is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dio looking to sit in guard and control but Wildslap gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dio holds on and takes a little breather.
Wildslap sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dio's guard.
Dio won't allow Wildslap to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dio has his hands clasped together around Wildslap's back. He's all about the action.
Dio wants to improve his position but Wildslap is controlling well.
Dio manages to get to full guard.
Dio wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wildslap is pushing down on Dio's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dio is fighting to maintain full guard but Wildslap has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dio wants to control but Wildslap is keeping busy.
Dio slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dio dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wildslap throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dio's waist but Dio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wildslap off to one side.
Dio looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wildslap misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wildslap has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Wildslap shoots in for a takedown but Dio shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rancho Wildslap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wildslap doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Dio counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dio lands a jab-cross combination.
Dio displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dio fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wildslap shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dio as he jumps to the side.
Wildslap fails with the takedown
and Dio counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Dio shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dio was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
John Dio has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wildslap is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dio wants to control but Wildslap is keeping him busy.

Dio is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wildslap knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dio scores with a couple of short elbows.
Wildslap is looking for a sweep.
Wildslap prevents Dio from moving into mount.
Wildslap is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wildslap prevents Dio from improving position.

Dio is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Wildslap is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wildslap is trying to get back to half guard.
Wildslap sneaks back into half guard.
Dio is nestled in close to Wildslap, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dio in particular looking to stall.

Wildslap looking for a kimura from the bottom but Dio passes into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wildslap is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Wildslap regains half guard.
Dio working the head and body with strikes.
Dio passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Wildslap!
Dio with shots to the head and body - Wildslap looks very uncomfortable down there.
Wildslap is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dio controlling from mount.
Dio looking to finish Wildslap with some ground and pound. This is bad for Wildslap!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dio lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Wildslap can't escape the position.
Dio fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dio is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Wildslap can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wildslap keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dio cracks Wildslap with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wildslap is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dio landing strikes from the mount and Wildslap is in trouble!
Wildslap tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dio has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Wildslap's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Wildslap tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dio swivels and escapes.

Dio rushes Wildslap and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Wildslap is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dio gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wildslap has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dio after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rancho Wildslap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dio prevents a takedown attempt there.

Dio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dio drives through and clinches with Wildslap against the cage.

Dio gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wildslap tries to roll over but Dio keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dio is working for a kimura but Wildslap is defending it quite comfortably.
Wildslap is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wildslap looking for submissions off his back.
Wildslap wants to improve his position but Dio is controlling well.
Dio looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wildslap with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wildslap is looking for a sweep. Dio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wildslap slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wildslap trying to control the position.
Rancho Wildslap has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Wildslap has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dio can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dio working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wildslap's head.
Wildslap keeping moving, preventing Dio from controlling successfully.

Wildslap escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dio gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dio trying to control the position from guard on top but Wildslap is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dio is in close to Wildslap's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wildslap avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Wildslap working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dio doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dio manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dio lands a couple of digs.
Dio is in close to Wildslap's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dio postures up and lands a big shot to Wildslap's brow.
Dio chips away with some ground and pound.
Dio is working Wildslap over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dio wants to control from the top but Wildslap keeps moving.
Wildslap lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wildslap throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dio trying to control the position.
Dio lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wildslap is looking for a triangle but Dio pushes his legs off easily.
Dio with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dio trying to control but Wildslap is working from the bottom.

Wildslap is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dio is aware though and is defending well.
John Dio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dio trying to control but Wildslap is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Dio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dio has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Dio!
An out of breath John Dio thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Rancho Wildslap spoke after the fight, saying 'You're my boogie.'.