PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fox comes to the cage accompanied by Rammstein - Sonne (Clawfinger K.O. remix). The key to victory for Steve Fox has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fox
vs
Diaz

185 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steve Fox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fox circles away.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Fox sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Fox sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fox swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Fox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nick Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fox's corner calls for a 1-2. Fox obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Fox tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fox manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Diaz.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fox stuffs the takedown.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Fox moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz swinging wildly here.
A jab lands there for Fox.
Fox lands a nice looking body shot.
Diaz looks gassed!
Diaz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fox sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Diaz somewhat.
Nice straight punches there by Fox. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fox.

It looks like Nick Diaz has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fox scores with a hook to the body. Diaz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Fox drops Diaz with a beautiful combination! Diaz stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Fox is looking for the KO!

Diaz is rocked!

Fox clinches with his opponent.
Diaz is still on wobbly legs! Can Fox finish him?
Fox managing to block the knees to the body from Diaz.
Fox lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz prevents Fox from breaking the clinch.
Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.
Diaz misses with the head strike.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fox prevents it.
Fox looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diaz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fox is defending well for now.
Fox prevents the takedown attempt.
Diaz wants to get back to striking at distance but Fox won't allow it.
Diaz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fox is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fox.
Diaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fox blocks it with crossed arms.
Fox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Diaz prevents Fox from breaking the clinch.
Diaz misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fox creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Diaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fox blocks it with crossed arms.
A left hand lands to the body for Fox.
Diaz misses with a knee to the head.
Fox has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Fox lands a right hand that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Fox wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Diaz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Diaz can't get the takedown.
Fox throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fox has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diaz can't get the takedown.
Diaz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fox gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Fox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fox dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox lands a jab to the head.

Fox pushes Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.
Diaz prevents Fox from breaking the clinch.
Fox tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
Diaz misses with a knee to the head.
Diaz looking to stall.
Fox lands with a light punch inside.
Diaz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fox is keeping busy.
Nice body punch from Fox.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fox lands with a left to the head.
Diaz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diaz has Fox pressed against the cage, preventing Fox from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fox is pressed up against the cage. Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fox down to the mat. Fox avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Diaz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Fox counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fox dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Diaz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fox clinches up against the cage.

Diaz lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Diaz is working for a submission of some sort.
Fox looks like he's trying to stand up.
Fox on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fox tries to get out of the position.
Diaz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Diaz stops Fox from getting back to his feet.
Diaz is breathing heavily.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Fox has managed to free his arm - good work.
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.
Diaz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fox's head.

Fox kicks Diaz off and gets back to his feet.
Fox stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fox wants it to stay on the feet.
Fox lands with a shot to the body.
Fox lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Diaz at a distance.
Diaz takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Fox clinches up with Diaz and pushes him back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Fox as the two fighters clinch.

Fox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fox throws a shot to the body.
Fox scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fox is looking to wear down Diaz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Fox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Diaz.
Fox lands a two punch combo.
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 closes the distance but Fox moves to the side
and Fox counters with a nice body shot.
Steve Fox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fox counters with a nice uppercut.
Fox scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. Fox moves away and avoids it.
Fox lands a right hook to the body.
Fox connects with a single shot there.
Fox misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fox digs a good body shot into Diaz's ribs.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fox scores with a shot to the body.
Fox throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Diaz misses with a looping right.
Fox lands a right hook to the body.
Fox tries to clinch there but Diaz circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox throws a shot to the body.
Diaz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fox avoids it really well and circles away.
Fox connects with a good right hand that stumbles Diaz. Diaz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Fox takes the fight into the clinch.
Diaz looking for a takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Fox wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Diaz working aggressively here.

Fox breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fox dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nick Diaz's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fox lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
Fox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
Diaz misses with a combination
and Fox counters with a three punch combo that has Diaz backing up. Diaz nods at Fox to acknowledge the strikes.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Fox counters by clinching up.
Diaz looking to throw knees to the head but Fox is blocking nicely.
Fox lands with a left to the head.
Diaz is trying to stall.
Fox is looking to break free of the clinch but Diaz has double underhooks.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head punch on the inside from Diaz fails to land.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fox scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Diaz.
Fox is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Fox is pressed up against the cage. Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fox down to the mat. Fox avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fox keeps control of Diaz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Diaz misses with a knee to the head.
Diaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fox blocks it with crossed arms.
Fox looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diaz trying to control the position but instead, Fox has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diaz into the cage.
Diaz goes for a takedown attempt but Fox pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Diaz.

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.
Fox displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fox counters with a right hand to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fox looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diaz shoots in and drives through. Fox sprawls well.
Diaz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Fox scores with a hook.
Steve Fox is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looks to clinch
and Fox counters with a series of strikes. Diaz will be more careful next time no doubt.
Diaz fails to land the takedown.
Fox scores with a one two! Diaz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fox moves in looking to clinch but Diaz pushes him off.
Diaz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fox is able to avoid easily.

Fox takes the fight into the clinch.
Fox is trying to force a seperation but Diaz has the dominant position.
Fox lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Diaz misses with a knee strike.
Fox pushes Diaz back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to score a body lock takedown but Fox shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fox avoids the elbow strike from Diaz, against the cage.
Fox lands a shoulder strike.
Fox throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Diazs head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fox.
A body shot lands from Fox.
Fox wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Diaz pushes off an throws an elbow but Fox leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Diaz has Fox pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fox manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fox prevents a body shot from Diaz.
Diaz is trying to maintain a safe position but Fox gets an underhook and turns Diaz into the cage.
Diaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fox lands a shot to the body.
Fox lands a body punch.
Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fox avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fox lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fox clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Diaz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diaz dodges the punch combination from Fox.
Diaz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Fox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fox.
Diaz looks for a takedown but Fox sprawls well.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fox tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fox to the ground. Fox escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diaz throws a hook to the side of Fox's head but Fox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fox misses with a double jab.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Fox counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Fox scores with a three punch combo!
Fox dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Diaz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Fox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Diaz.
Fox wants to clinch.
Fox moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Fox.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Diaz.
Fox scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz walks into a jab.
Diaz walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Diaz misses the body punch
and Fox counters with a stiff right hand.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.

Fox closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz misses with the head strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fox.
Diaz misses with some punches.
Diaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fox tries to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling the position.
Diaz tries to break the clinch but Fox is controlling the position.
Fox lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox can't break the clinch.
Diaz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fox pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Diaz looking to throw knees to the head but Fox is blocking nicely.
Fox looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fox lands a hook to the side of the head.
Diaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fox blocks it with crossed arms.
Fox has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A body shot lands from Fox.
Fox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Diaz throws a head punch that misses.

Fox's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fox lands a slapping body shot.
Diaz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fox as he avoids it easily.
Nice body punch from Fox.
Steve Fox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz fails to land the takedown.
Fox tries to clinch up.
Fox looks to land a combination. Diaz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Diaz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diaz throws a hook but Fox blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fox scores with a shot to the body.

Fox moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fox had his way with Nick Diaz in that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Diaz's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Fox darts in and clinches Diaz up against the cage.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Diaz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diaz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diaz looking to throw knees to the head but Fox is blocking nicely.
Fox wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fox's efforts to push away.
Nice body punch from Fox.
Diaz lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries a knee to the head but Fox blocks it.
Diaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diaz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diaz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fox's efforts to push away.
Fox wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is working for takedown but Fox is calmly controlling the position for now.
Diaz is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Fox cracks Diaz with a nice body shot.
Fox digs a right hand into Diaz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Diaz's gas tank.
Fox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fox avoids the elbow strike from Diaz, against the cage.
Fox dodges an elbow strike from Diaz.
Diaz tries to land a knee to the head but Fox blocks with his arms.
Fox has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
Diaz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diaz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fox lands a body punch in the clinch.
Diaz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Diaz.
Fox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Fox lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Fox manages to get underhooks.
Fox is trying to force a seperation but Diaz has the dominant position.
Nice body punch from Fox.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diaz.
Fox lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Diaz.
Diaz throws a punch but it's blocked by Fox.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Fox wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fox fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fox ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Fox counters with a left and a right that stings Diaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fox counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Fox circles away easily
and Fox counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fox throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Diaz stumbling backwards into the cage! Diaz bounces back off the cage towards Fox, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Fox lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Fox celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Steve Fox!
Steve Fox retains his welterweight title!