PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Payton Waller (ranked 3137 p4p, 4029 weight class) and Diego Lopes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diego Lopes acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Waller
vs
Lopes

180 cm
25
155
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Tap Out

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Payton Waller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Lopes!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waller tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lopes defends well and Waller ends up having to push Lopes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Waller tries to score a body lock takedown but Lopes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Lopes manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Waller wants to control from the top but Lopes keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lopes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Waller doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Waller manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lopes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Waller is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lopes isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Waller stacks Lopes on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Waller!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Waller wants to control but Lopes is keeping him busy.
Lopes is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Waller advances nicely into full mount.
Waller trying to control but Lopes is having none of it.
Lopes regains half guard.

Lopes looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Waller is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lopes has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Waller trying to control the action but Lopes is working from the bottom.

Lopes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lopes trying to hold on to Waller's head to control him but Waller postures up.

Lopes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Lopes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lopes looks for a takedown but Waller sprawls well.
Waller half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Diego Lopes will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lopes tries to clinch up.

Waller dives in and scores a takedown into Lopes's guard.
Waller tries to free his leg and advance position but Lopes is retaining full guard.

Lopes throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Waller escapes and throws Lopes's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Waller looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Waller is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lopes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopes is trying to get back to half guard.

Waller swings around for an armbar but Lopes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Waller's guard.

Lopes 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.
Lopes is pushing down on Waller's leg trying to pass to half guard. Waller is fighting to maintain full guard but Lopes has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Waller looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Lopes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Waller has managed to free his arm - good work.
Payton Waller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lopes is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Waller looking for submissions off his back.

Waller looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lopes is looking to take a break and control but Waller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopes wants to stand up but Waller is controlling the position.

Lopes seems to be working for a kimura but Waller defends the submission attempt.
Lopes blocks the strikes from Waller.

Lopes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Waller is just riding it out for now. Lopes eventually gives up the hold.
Waller wants to improve his position but Lopes is controlling well.

Waller is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lopes pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

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

Lopes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Waller is just riding it out for now. Lopes eventually gives up the hold.

Waller looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lopes is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Waller is trying to stand.

Waller is defending against the submission attempts here by Lopes.

Lopes in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Waller tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Lopes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Diego Lopes!