PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nico DiAngelo (ranked 2801 p4p, 3829 weight class) and Orion Struss (ranked 321 p4p, 418 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Struss's choice of entrance music: Lil Gnar - New Bugatti. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

DiAngelo
vs
Struss

179 cm
22
165
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
170
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nico DiAngelo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orion Struss!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DiAngelo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Struss.
Struss lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
DiAngelo seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

DiAngelo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

DiAngelo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Struss really doesn't want to stay on the ground with DiAngelo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Struss is looking to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struss is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

DiAngelo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Struss sees it coming and defends easily.

Struss has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but DiAngelo is on him like a limpet, forcing Struss back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Struss breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Struss scores with a push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struss scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. DiAngelo doesn't seem bothered though.
Struss takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Struss fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and DiAngelo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Struss lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Struss.
Struss thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on DiAngelo if he has to take too many more of those.
Struss lands with a kick to the ribs.
Struss with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

DiAngelo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Struss has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. DiAngelo is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Struss pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Orion Struss seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Struss enables DiAngelo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Struss manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Struss keeping moving, preventing DiAngelo from controlling successfully.

DiAngelo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Struss looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Struss looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Struss!

DiAngelo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Struss decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struss lands with a hook. DiAngelo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
DiAngelo walks into a jab.
Struss fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt DiAngelo.
Struss scores with a body shot.
Struss jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Struss throws a series of punches but DiAngelo avoids them all with ease.
DiAngelo appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Struss misses with a head kick.
Struss lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Struss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struss connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed DiAngelo momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DiAngelo slips a jab from Struss.

DiAngelo drives through with a takedown into Struss's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Struss keeping moving, preventing DiAngelo from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as DiAngelo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Struss wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

DiAngelo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and DiAngelo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Struss manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

DiAngelo has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Struss clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Struss wants to control his opponent's hands but DiAngelo gets his hands free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Orion Struss dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Struss lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but DiAngelo circles away quickly and effectively.
A shot to the liver by Struss. Beautiful body shot.
Struss throws a hook but DiAngelo blocks it.
DiAngelo looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Struss connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Struss looks to land a combination but DiAngelo avoids it well.
Struss throws a leg kick which misses DiAngelo's front leg but catches the back leg as DiAngelo tries to avoid it.
Orion Struss 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.
Struss throws a series of strikes that have DiAngelo backpedaling.

DiAngelo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Struss!

Struss throws DiAngelo to one side and escapes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struss thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on DiAngelo if he has to take too many more of those.
Struss catches DiAngelo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Struss throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

DiAngelo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

DiAngelo wants to work for an arm triangle but Struss is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Struss moves into full guard.

DiAngelo drops back looking for a leg! Struss is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Struss manages to kick DiAngelo off! DiAngelo jumps back into Struss's guard.
Struss keeping moving, preventing DiAngelo from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo has gone for a leg lock! Struss slips out almost immediately though and dives into DiAngelo's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Struss wants to stand and escape but instead DiAngelo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Struss is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Struss is controlling DiAngelo's posture.
DiAngelo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Struss is not content to let DiAngelo control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Struss knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Struss wants to control but DiAngelo postures up.

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

DiAngelo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
DiAngelo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Orion Struss has got the better of the ground game so far.

DiAngelo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Struss sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiAngelo throwing shots but Struss is blocking nicely.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura here.

DiAngelo wants to work for an arm triangle but Struss is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

DiAngelo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

DiAngelo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Struss tries to kick DiAngelo off but DiAngelo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Struss trying to control from the bottom.
DiAngelo wants to control but Struss is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Orion Struss 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 each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Struss scores with a hook.
Struss bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Struss misses with a series of wild punches.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Struss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struss lands with a slapping head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Struss.
DiAngelo needs to keep his hands up - Struss had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Struss gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Struss has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. DiAngelo has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Struss lands a nice shot to the body.

Struss breaks the clinch.

DiAngelo feints and as Struss raises his hands in defense, DiAngelo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Struss has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes DiAngelo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Orion Struss is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Struss dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

DiAngelo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Struss is trying to defend but DiAngelo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo is working for a kimura but Struss is defending it quite comfortably.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura here.
Struss is looking to improve his position.
Struss looks like he's trying to stand up.
Struss has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. DiAngelo is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DiAngelo throwing shots but Struss is blocking nicely.
Struss desperately trying to maintain half guard.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.
Struss is trying to stand.
DiAngelo wants to control but Struss is keeping him busy.
DiAngelo drops an elbow to the side of Struss's head.

Struss kicks DiAngelo off and gets back to his feet.
Struss lands with a straight right. DiAngelo didn't see that one coming.
DiAngelo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Struss gets caught napping as DiAngelo dives in and scores a takedown. Struss manages to retain guard.

Struss has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes DiAngelo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DiAngelo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
DiAngelo throws a quick counter head kick but Struss was just out of range.
Good shot there by Struss.
Struss scores with a spinning back kick!
Orion Struss is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Struss connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

DiAngelo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

DiAngelo is working for an americana but Struss has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst DiAngelo was thinking about the submission.

And that's the end of the fight!
Orion Struss comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Struss 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Orion Struss!
An out of breath Orion Struss thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.