PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nate Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz's entrance music is Tupac Last Muthafucka Breathin. A fine choice. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Diaz
vs
James

183 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nate Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin James!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. James did well to prevent Diaz getting side control.
Diaz wants to pass to mount but James is defending the position.

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

Diaz seems to be looking for submissions.
James wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Diaz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James is looking for a sweep. Diaz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz prevents James from standing back up.

Diaz is working for a submission of some sort.
James wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Diaz is working for a kimura but James is defending it quite comfortably.
James wants to get back to full guard.

Diaz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but James sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is looking for a sweep. Diaz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. James manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
James looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Diaz puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Diaz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. James doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Diaz.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James tries to get to full guard but Diaz has control of the leg.
James wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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.
James wants to get back to his feet.
James wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy.

Diaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Diaz stops James from getting back to his feet.

Diaz is looking for a kimura here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Diaz dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

James decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

James is working for a submission of some sort.

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

James is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Diaz defends it well.

Diaz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Diaz is refusing to be controlled, as James sits in half guard.

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

Diaz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
James is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Diaz is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

James has control of Diaz's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Diaz regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Diaz tries to lock up and control but James gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

James looking to secure an arm triangle but Diaz defends it well.

Diaz defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from James.

James swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Diaz is now in James's guard. A big mistake from James there, giving up the dominant position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James working a defensive guard here.
James is looking to sweep but instead, Diaz has passed into half guard.
James is looking to improve his position.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.
James missing with punches from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, James has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Diaz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
James has his takedown stuffed

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control.

Diaz tries for a kimura but James is defending well.
James wants to control but Diaz postures up.
James is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Diaz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. James knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James tries to bench press Diaz off him but Diaz keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries to control but Diaz manages to take his back.

James defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
James is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
James trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
James wants to pass the guard but Diaz is keeping the position.

James drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Diaz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now James has Diaz in his guard.

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.

Diaz 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.
James trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Diaz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but James manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Diaz has James in his guard.

James drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick James off! James jumps back into Diaz's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James 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.

James drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and James jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Diaz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. James is aware though and is defending well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.
Diaz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
James trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James wants to stand but Diaz is controlling the position.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
James throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

James wriggles free and stands up.
Diaz lands a nice shot that snaps James's head back.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Diaz tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Diaz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Diaz 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Diaz!