PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Muller (ranked 24827 p4p, 3146 weight class) and Mahamadu Diarra (ranked 225 p4p, 66 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Muller
vs
Diarra

176 cm
26
300
2 - 3 - 0

194 cm
18
259
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thomas Muller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mahamadu Diarra!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Chris Dean and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diarra.
Diarra shoots in for a double leg but Muller sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Diarra is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muller.
Diarra throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diarra stuffs the takedown attempt from Muller. Muller gets slowly back to his feet.
Muller wants to clinch up but Diarra keeps it at a distance.
Diarra uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Muller.
A big right from Diarra misses.
A punch lands to the side of Diarra 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Diarra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muller lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Diarra backs up against the cage.
Diarra ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Muller swats away the attempt to clinch by Diarra.
Muller ducks under a wild hook from Diarra.
Muller went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diarra staying out of range there.
Muller throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Muller lands with a hook. Diarra tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Thomas Muller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muller tries for a takedown but Diarra sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Diarra! But no joy.
Diarra misses the shot to the body.
Diarra throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muller.
Muller throws a big counter combination but Diarra scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Diarra throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Muller misses with a series of wild punches.
Diarra throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Muller sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diarra takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Muller throws a series of punches but Diarra avoids them all with ease.

Diarra clinches with his opponent.
Diarra wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muller wants to take the fight to the mat but Diarra manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Muller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muller wants to take the fight to the mat but Diarra manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Diarra breaks from the clinch.
Muller could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Muller fails to land the takedown.
Muller uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diarra.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muller connects with a single shot there.
Diarra thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diarra slips a jab and a cross from Muller.
Muller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diarra.
Nice defenses there by Muller.
Diarra throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Muller ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Muller misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diarra shoots in looking for a takedown. Muller tries to sprawl out of it but Diarra keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muller manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Muller appears to be looking for a big counter.

Muller closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Muller is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Muller is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Diarra doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Muller.

Muller is trying to work for a kimura but Diarra is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Muller is working for a kimura but Diarra is defending it quite comfortably.

Diarra pushes Muller off and gets back to his feet.
The fighters circling - Diarra throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Diarra shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Muller counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Muller throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Muller drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Diarra sneaks out the side door and pushes Muller away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Thomas Muller will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Muller throws a shot from downtown. Diarra moves away and avoids it.
Muller shoots for a takedown but Diarra saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Muller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Muller swinging wildly here.
Diarra might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Diarra throws a right and a left that Muller avoids nicely.
Muller misses with an uppercut. Diarra saw that one coming.
Diarra looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Muller connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Diarra's hands.
Diarra throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Muller went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Muller fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diarra avoids it really well and circles away.
Thomas Muller is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diarra avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A combination from Muller does no damage.
Diarra is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Muller avoids the body shot from Diarra.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diarra stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Muller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muller looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diarra changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A jab lands there for Muller.
Muller looks to land a left hand but Diarra moved out of range nicely.
Diarra loads up on a big right hand but Muller slips the punch.
Diarra throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diarra has a takedown stuffed.
Diarra slips a straight right by Muller.
Diarra throws a jab but it's blocked by Muller.
Muller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diarra.
Diarra throws a hook to the side of Muller's head but Muller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diarra throws a lazy right hand but Muller sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Diarra walks into a jab.
Diarra throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muller.
Diarra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muller moves away.
Jab from Muller.
Muller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diarra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muller moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Muller dives in and grabs Diarra's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diarra pushes down on Muller's head and hops out.
Muller misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As Muller backs off Diarra throws a huge counter combo but Muller manages to avoid it all.
Diarra slips a jab and a cross from Muller.
Diarra drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Muller defends it well.
Diarra ducks under a wild hook from Muller.
Diarra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Muller.
Muller showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diarra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Muller scores with a four punch combination!

Diarra pushes Muller up against the cage in a clinch.
Muller drops down looking for an ankle pick but Diarra pulls his leg out and moves away.
Muller misses with a two punch combination.
Thomas Muller is winning the standup battle so far.
Muller misses with a wild combination.
Diarra swings for the body but Muller moves out of range.
Diarra tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Muller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Muller darts in looking for a takedown but Diarra gets double underhooks and turns Muller into the cage.

Diarra breaks the clinch.
Muller pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Diarra back to the cage. Muller follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Diarra on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muller throws a right and a left that Diarra avoids nicely.
Muller closes the distance and clinches up with Diarra, looking for a takedown. Muller pushes Diarra against the cage but Diarra circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A combination from Muller does no damage.
Diarra is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Muller wants to clinch up but Diarra keeps it at a distance.
Muller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diarra.
Diarra misses with an uppercut.
Muller uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diarra.
Muller fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Diarra misses.
Diarra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Muller manages to avoid it.
Muller lunges at Diarra with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Diarra's hand.
Muller is looking to clinch.
Muller lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Muller dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Diarra looks to land a left hand but Muller moved out of range nicely.
Muller throws a big counter combination but Diarra scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Some wild striking there from Diarra.
Muller avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Diarra is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Diarra misses the target.
Muller throws a series of punches but Diarra moves out of range.
Muller shoots in looking for a takedown. Diarra tries to sprawl out of it but Muller keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Diarra manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diarra shoots in looking for a takedown but Muller manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diarra's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sloppy strikes from Muller. Those never looked like landing.
Muller darts in looking for a takedown but Diarra gets double underhooks and turns Muller into the cage.
Diarra prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Muller. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muller is looking to take this one to the mat.

Diarra manages to break the clinch.
Diarra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Muller.
Diarra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Muller.
Diarra misses with a body shot.
Muller lands a head shot.
Muller showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diarra.
Diarra misses with a hook. Muller ducked under it nicely.
Muller checks a low kick from Diarra.
An attempted straight right counter from Muller misses the target.
Diarra takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Muller fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diarra avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muller avoids the body shot from Diarra.
Diarra ducks right into an uppercut from Muller.
Muller misses with a wild combination.

Diarra has closed the distance and engaged Muller in a clinch.

Diarra manages to break the clinch.
Muller shoots in but no luck this time.
Diarra showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Muller.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diarra throws a jab but it's blocked by Muller.
Muller fails to land with a series of punches.
As Muller backs off Diarra throws a huge counter combo but Muller manages to avoid it all.
Diarra takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muller staying out of range there.
Diarra shoots in but Muller avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big right from Diarra misses.
Diarra tries to bum rush Muller with a series of wild strikes but Muller uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Muller shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diarra as he jumps to the side.
Muller tries to score a power double leg takedown but Diarra sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Muller somewhat.
Muller misses with a double jab.
Muller fails to land with a series of punches.
Muller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diarra tries to clinch but Muller is having none of it.
A punch combination from Diarra misses.
Diarra has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Muller fails in his attempt to clinch.
Muller ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Muller looks to land a right hand but Diarra moved out of range.
Diarra is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The fighters circling - Diarra throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mahamadu Diarra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muller is looking to clinch but Diarra is avoiding it.
Diarra is trying hard to land a takedown here. Muller sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Muller is looking to counter punch.
Muller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diarra.
Muller with a jab.
Diarra misses with a wild combination.
Thomas Muller is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diarra misses with an uppercut. Muller saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mahamadu Diarra.
I think Muller 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Muller!