PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Cordeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Diamond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cordeiro comes into the arena with Perry Mason blaring out of the sound system. The key to victory for Rafael Cordeiro has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cordeiro
vs
Diamond

170 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Cordeiro!
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, Michael Diamond!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diamond scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Diamond is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Cordeiro is looking for a sweep.
Diamond moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Diamond are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Cordeiro tries to improve position 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.
Diamond advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Diamond goes for an armbar but Cordeiro turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Cordeiro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond trying to keep a closed guard but Cordeiro is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diamond trying to control the position here.

Despite being in the dominant position, Michael Diamond just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Diamond decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Diamond looks gassed!
Diamond controlling the action here.
Diamond is pressing down on Cordeiro's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cordeiro is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordeiro is trying to control but can't.
Diamond controlling the action here.
Cordeiro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cordeiro wants to get back to full guard but Diamond has passed into side control.
Diamond controlling his opponent.
Cordeiro sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Cordeiro is trying to get back to full guard.
Diamond wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cordeiro keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Diamond dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cordeiro misses with a takedown attempt

and Diamond counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cordeiro won't be happy with that.

Diamond is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cordeiro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cordeiro can't do much from the bottom here.
Diamond in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Diamond looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diamond goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Cordeiro rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Diamond's guard! Nice work there by Cordeiro!
Cordeiro connects with a couple of short punches.
Cordeiro chips away with some ground and pound.
Cordeiro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Diamond works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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.
Diamond working a defensive guard here.

Diamond has his foot on Cordeiro's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cordeiro works his way back into a safe position though.
Diamond keeping moving, preventing Cordeiro from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Some wild striking there from Diamond.

Cordeiro clinches up with Diamond and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diamond drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cordeiro gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diamond tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diamond misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cordeiro.
Cordeiro drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Diamond gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cordeiro tries to break free but Diamond pushes him back against the cage.
Diamond tries to break the clinch but Cordeiro is controlling the position.
Cordeiro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cordeiro lands with a light punch inside.

Cordeiro breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cordeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Cordeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cordeiro tries to clinch but Diamond moves out of range.
Cordeiro tries to clinch up.
Diamond stuffs the takedown.

Cordeiro has Diamond up against the cage in a clinch.
Diamond wants to get back to striking at distance but Cordeiro won't allow it.
Cordeiro working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diamond is trying to break free.

Cordeiro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Diamond can't fight it off and eventually Cordeiro manages to take the fight to the floor. Diamond looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cordeiro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Diamond's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Diamond will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cordeiro tries to close the distance and clinch but Diamond swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cordeiro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Diamond circles away.
Cordeiro shoots in for a double leg but Diamond sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Diamond bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Diamond tries for a kimura but Cordeiro is defending well.
Diamond is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Cordeiro's shoulder. That is not cool.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cordeiro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cordeiro is not content to let Diamond control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond throws an elbow but Cordeiro slips to the side and avoids it well.
The ground and pound from Diamond seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Cordeiro manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Cordeiro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Diamond is trying to maintain the position but Cordeiro is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Diamond tries to roll over but Cordeiro keeps him under control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cordeiro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cordeiro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cordeiro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diamond manages to avoid it.
Cordeiro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Diamond counters with a single leg into guard. Cordeiro didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Cordeiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diamond trying to control the position from guard on top but Cordeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cordeiro is trying to control the position but Diamond postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordeiro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Diamond trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Diamond stops Cordeiro from standing up.
Diamond postures up.
Cordeiro keeping moving, preventing Diamond from controlling successfully.
Diamond is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Diamond is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cordeiro tries for a takedown but Diamond circles away easily

and Diamond counters with a shoot takedown. Cordeiro fights it but they end up in guard.
Diamond slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cordeiro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cordeiro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Diamond content to stall in guard here.
Rafael Cordeiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Diamond is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Let's hope that Diamond has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Diamond comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Diamond 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Diamond!