PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josip Dizdarevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nonito Donaire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nonito Donaire will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dizdarevic
vs
Donaire

175 cm
23
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Josip Dizdarevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nonito Donaire!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dizdarevic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A shot to the body from Donaire misses

and Dizdarevic counters with a shoot takedown. Donaire fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dizdarevic sitting in guard here, content to control.
Dizdarevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Donaire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dizdarevic tries to free his leg and advance position but Donaire is retaining full guard.
Dizdarevic postures up.
Dizdarevic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Dizdarevic tries to free his leg and advance position but Donaire is retaining full guard.
Dizdarevic won't allow Donaire to sweep him here.
Donaire looking to control.
Dizdarevic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Donaire keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Donaire fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Dizdarevic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Donaire shoots and misses
and Dizdarevic counters with a head kick. That will keep Donaire thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Donaire with a poor takedown

and Dizdarevic counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Donaire's guard now.
Josip Dizdarevic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nonito Donaire.
Donaire trying to keep a closed guard but Dizdarevic is proving a slippery customer.
Donaire wants to control the position but Dizdarevic says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Dizdarevic is looking for a kimura here.
Dizdarevic not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dizdarevic trying to control from half guard but Donaire is working away.

Dizdarevic is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Donaire has managed to free his arm - good work.
Donaire is refusing to be controlled, as Dizdarevic sits in half guard.

Donaire looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Dizdarevic works his way into full mount!
Donaire is looking to improve his position but Dizdarevic isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dizdarevic goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Donaire turns into him and now he's in Dizdarevic's guard.
Dizdarevic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Donaire.
Donaire must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dizdarevic keeping moving, preventing Donaire from controlling successfully.
Donaire being controlled here momentarily.
Donaire pushing down on Dizdarevic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dizdarevic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dizdarevic.

Dizdarevic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dizdarevic working a defensive guard here.
Dizdarevic is breathing heavily.

Dizdarevic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Donaire defends it easily.
Donaire trying to control the position from guard on top but Dizdarevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dizdarevic wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Donaire works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Dizdarevic dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Donaire gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Donaire wants to break free but Dizdarevic has control.
Dizdarevic prevents a takedown attempt there.
Donaire wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dizdarevic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dizdarevic prevents a takedown attempt there.
Donaire misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dizdarevic lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Dizdarevic manages to break the clinch.

Dizdarevic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Donaire's half guard.

Dizdarevic wants to work for an arm triangle but Donaire is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Donaire manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Donaire looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dizdarevic is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donaire looking to control.
Josip Dizdarevic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dizdarevic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Donaire is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Donaire has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Donaire would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Dizdarevic looking to control.
Dizdarevic keeping moving, preventing Donaire from controlling successfully.
Donaire wants to stand but Dizdarevic has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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.
Donaire stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dizdarevic swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nonito Donaire was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Donaire throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Donaire with a poor takedown

and Dizdarevic counters with a nice double leg into side control. Donaire won't be happy with that.
Josip Dizdarevic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nonito Donaire.

Dizdarevic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Donaire is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dizdarevic trying to control the action but Donaire is working from the bottom.
Donaire struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donaire stops Dizdarevic from passing to mount.
Donaire is trying to get back to half guard.
The ground and pound from Dizdarevic seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Dizdarevic tries to advance to mount but Donaire denies him.
Dizdarevic scores with punches from side control.
Dizdarevic postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The ground and pound from Dizdarevic seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Dizdarevic with the ground and pound but Donaire regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's four 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.
Donaire is not content to let Dizdarevic control the position.
Donaire is trying to stand up here but Dizdarevic is controlling him well.

Dizdarevic is looking for a kimura but Donaire is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dizdarevic to get the leverage.
Donaire trying to control from the bottom.
Dizdarevic works his way into full mount!
Dizdarevic lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Dizdarevic dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Donaire gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Dizdarevic counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Donaire's guard now.

Dizdarevic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dizdarevic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dizdarevic looking to sit in guard and control but Donaire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Donaire stands and throws Dizdarevic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dizdarevic is trying to improve his position.
Donaire wants to control but Dizdarevic is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dizdarevic tries to bench press Donaire off him but Donaire keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donaire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dizdarevic keeps working.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Dizdarevic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Donaire off and has taken his back!
Donaire tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Donaire is working to get back to half guard.
Donaire tries to hold on but Dizdarevic postures up.

That's two 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.
Donaire slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Donaire is looking to improve his position.
Dizdarevic is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Donaire reverses the position - he's now on top in Dizdarevic's guard.

Dizdarevic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Donaire is aware though and is defending well.
Donaire trying to control the position from guard on top but Dizdarevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Donaire trying to stand up but can't free himself from Dizdarevic's guard.
Dizdarevic is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donaire would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Dizdarevic is trying to keep Donaire in close.
Donaire trying to control the position from guard on top but Dizdarevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Donaire gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Dizdarevic counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Donaire's guard now.
Dizdarevic wants to pass the guard but Donaire is keeping the position.
Dizdarevic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Donaire is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Josip Dizdarevic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donaire wants to stand and escape but Dizdarevic is having none of it.
Dizdarevic lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Donaire keeping full guard, as Dizdarevic tries to pass.
Donaire controlling Dizdarevic's posture.
Dizdarevic stands and throws Donaire's legs to the side, diving into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josip Dizdarevic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dizdarevic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Dizdarevic!