PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soloman van der Vaart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Diaz might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to This Is War. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Diaz
vs
van der Vaart

183 cm
27
173 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
178 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Fight Club Clothing™

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Soloman van der Vaart!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by van der Vaart!
The fighters circling - van der Vaart throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Decent striking displayed by Diaz there.
Diaz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from van der Vaart.
Diaz tries to score with a low kick but van der Vaart moves his leg out of the way.
Nick Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz looks to land a right hand but van der Vaart moved out of range.
Some wild striking there from van der Vaart.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
van der Vaart darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Diaz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz takes a swing at van der Vaart's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from van der Vaart.
Diaz scores with a jab. van der Vaart acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. van der Vaart moves away and avoids it.
A nice combination there by Diaz.

It looks like Soloman van der Vaart has been cut.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? van der Vaart is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, van der Vaart circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. van der Vaart tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag van der Vaart to the ground. van der Vaart escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
van der Vaart looks to land a right hand but Diaz moved out of range.
van der Vaart takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Diaz walks into a straight right hand from van der Vaart.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from van der Vaart misses.
van der Vaart on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diaz misses with a straight right.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Diaz takes one on the button.
Diaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by van der Vaart.
Diaz throws a left and a right that both miss
and van der Vaart counters with a lovely straight right hand!
van der Vaart uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
van der Vaart misses with an uppercut.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Diaz throws a sloppy body shot
and van der Vaart counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a hook but van der Vaart avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice defenses there by van der Vaart.
Diaz looks to land a left hand but van der Vaart moved out of range nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
van der Vaart bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Diaz's head backwards.
Diaz tries to score a power double leg takedown but van der Vaart sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Diaz somewhat.
Soloman van der Vaart is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz lands the left hand.

That has opened up Soloman van der Vaart's cut even more.
Diaz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looks to clinch
and van der Vaart counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
van der Vaart checks a leg kick nicely.
Diaz tries to land a body kick
and van der Vaart counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Diaz thinking.
Diaz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Diaz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but van der Vaart is out of range.
The fighters circling - van der Vaart throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps van der Vaart's head backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A combination from van der Vaart does no damage.
A jab from Diaz misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soloman van der Vaart dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Soloman van der Vaart's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

van der Vaart throws a right and a left that both miss.
van der Vaart throws a lazy right hand but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Diaz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. van der Vaart defends it nicely.
Diaz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract van der Vaart.
Diaz blocks a jab.
Soloman van der Vaart seems to be getting the better of the standup.
van der Vaart avoids the body shot from Diaz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
van der Vaart throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
van der Vaart moves out of range of the body kick from Diaz.
van der Vaart lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
van der Vaart slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
Diaz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but van der Vaart slips the punch.
Diaz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and van der Vaart counters with a stiff right hand.
Diaz looks to score with a jab to the body but van der Vaart is just out of range.
Diaz slips under a jab.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
van der Vaart throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A head kick by Diaz misses
and van der Vaart counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
van der Vaart avoids the body shot from Diaz.
Diaz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz throws a looping overhand right but van der Vaart ducks down to avoid it.
van der Vaart misses with a double jab
and Diaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
van der Vaart swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
van der Vaart throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diaz throws a wild body kick that van der Vaart sees coming a mile off.
van der Vaart throws a combination that misses
and Diaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and van der Vaart counters with a one-two to the body.

It looks like Nick Diaz has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Diaz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
van der Vaart wants to get back to his feet but Diaz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Diaz is stalling in the full guard.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but van der Vaart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Diaz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! van der Vaart is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Diaz, into his guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
van der Vaart looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diaz is one step ahead there.
Diaz stops van der Vaart from standing up.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but van der Vaart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
van der Vaart working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Diaz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed van der Vaart's guard.
van der Vaart is controlling Diaz's position as best he can from this difficult position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nick Diaz will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A nice inside leg kick there by Diaz. That's going to slow van der Vaart down.
Diaz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and van der Vaart connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
van der Vaart blocks a head kick by Diaz.
Diaz connects with a right hand. van der Vaart shakes it off.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as van der Vaart throws out the jab.
van der Vaart swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Diaz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from van der Vaart.
van der Vaart uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
van der Vaart misses with an uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from van der Vaart misses the target.
van der Vaart throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Diaz on the side of the head.
van der Vaart uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but van der Vaart moves away.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but van der Vaart moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diaz tries to clinch but van der Vaart moves out of range.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but van der Vaart slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz slips under a jab.
van der Vaart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz digs a good body shot into van der Vaart's ribs.
van der Vaart blocks a jab.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
van der Vaart takes a shot right to the bread basket.
van der Vaart lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
van der Vaart moves out of range of the body kick.
van der Vaart misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diaz misses with a hook to the body
and van der Vaart counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
van der Vaart throws a left and a right that both miss
and Diaz counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
A jab from Diaz misses.
van der Vaart avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Diaz wants to land a leg kick but van der Vaart is out of range.
Diaz misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
van der Vaart misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice shot lands for van der Vaart.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diaz.
Diaz connects with the punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination
and van der Vaart cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Nick Diaz did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but van der Vaart saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. van der Vaart tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. van der Vaart manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz throws an overhand right that lands on van der Vaart's shoulder, as van der Vaart tries to avoid the shot.
van der Vaart fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
van der Vaart throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
van der Vaart uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
A telegraphed right hand from van der Vaart misses the target.
Diaz lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Diaz misses with a straight right.
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but van der Vaart slips the punch.
A swing and a miss from van der Vaart.
Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
van der Vaart takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
van der Vaart looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
van der Vaart misses with a two punch combination.
Diaz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but van der Vaart circles away quickly and effectively.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from van der Vaart.
van der Vaart fails to land with a series of punches.
Diaz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
van der Vaart connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diaz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
van der Vaart steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz misses with an uppercut.
Diaz throws a sloppy body shot
enabling van der Vaart to counter with a crisp jab.
Diaz throws a body kick that misses.
van der Vaart connects with a right hand. Diaz shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz staying out of range there.
van der Vaart throws an overhand right that lands on Diaz's shoulder, as Diaz tries to avoid the shot.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but van der Vaart sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz swings for the body but van der Vaart moves out of range.
van der Vaart throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Diaz takes a swing at van der Vaart's ribcage but misses.
van der Vaart throws a combination that misses
letting Diaz counter with a right hand.
Diaz throws a right hand that van der Vaart ducks under and follows up with a left that van der Vaart also avoids with ease.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from van der Vaart.
Diaz misses with a hook. van der Vaart ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Diaz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. van der Vaart manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
van der Vaart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz wants to control from the top but van der Vaart keeps moving.
Diaz forces his way into half guard.
van der Vaart trying to hold on to Diaz's head to control him but Diaz postures up.
van der Vaart gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Diaz had his way with Soloman van der Vaart in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

van der Vaart ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but van der Vaart uses good head movement to avoid it.
van der Vaart throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diaz tries a head kick but it misses.
van der Vaart pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diaz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from van der Vaart.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but van der Vaart moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and van der Vaart counters with a three punch combo that has Diaz backing up. Diaz nods at van der Vaart to acknowledge the strikes.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but van der Vaart sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
van der Vaart avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
van der Vaart takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz misses with a jab to the body
letting van der Vaart counter with a right hand.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but van der Vaart was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Nick Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
van der Vaart takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
van der Vaart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
van der Vaart lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and van der Vaart counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diaz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
van der Vaart misses with a body punch
and Diaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Diaz slips a straight right by van der Vaart.
Diaz lands a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
van der Vaart on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
van der Vaart throws a hook but Diaz avoids it easily.
van der Vaart moves out of range of the strikes.
van der Vaart takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A telegraphed right hand from van der Vaart misses the target.
Diaz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
van der Vaart blocks a jab.
van der Vaart circles away from the clinch attempt
and van der Vaart counters with a nice uppercut.
van der Vaart lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters circling a little - Diaz finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Diaz moves away from the strike by van der Vaart.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and van der Vaart counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping van der Vaart at a distance.
Diaz misses with a hook.
van der Vaart throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Diaz counters with a left and a right that stings van der Vaart.

The cut above Soloman van der Vaart's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
van der Vaart is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Diaz, as that shot connected.
A slow jab from van der Vaart misses its intended target.
Nick Diaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
van der Vaart on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
van der Vaart throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.
Diaz lands a slapping body shot.
Soloman van der Vaart has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A decent looking cross lands there for Diaz.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Diaz 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Diaz!
Nick Diaz retains his welterweight title!