PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between nick Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Escobedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Escobedo has chosen TURN MY SWAG ON as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Diaz
vs
Escobedo

190 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
187 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, nick Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, David Escobedo!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz thuds his right hand into Escobedo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Escobedo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like David Escobedo has been cut.
Diaz misses the shot to the body.
Diaz looks to land a combination but Escobedo avoids it well.
Diaz misses with the combination.
Diaz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Diaz swings widly with a right hand
letting Escobedo counter with a right hand.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Escobedo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Diaz throws an off balance right hand
and Escobedo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escobedo circles away quickly and effectively.

Escobedo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Diaz's half guard.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.

Escobedo 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.
Escobedo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobedo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Diaz's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Escobedo in particular looking to stall.
Diaz tries to roll over but Escobedo keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. David Escobedo wasn't active enough on the ground.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination

and Escobedo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Diaz!
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Escobedo wants to take Diaz's back but he can't do it this time.
Escobedo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Diaz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Escobedo fails to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobedo mounts Diaz! Really nice guard pass there!

Escobedo get's back to his feet.
Jab by Escobedo.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination

and Escobedo counters by moving into the clinch.
Escobedo tries for a takedown but Diaz manages to get underhooks.
Diaz gets underhooks to prevent Escobedo's takedown attempt.

Escobedo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Diaz uses from the top position.
Escobedo keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
Diaz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Escobedo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Escobedo has escaped and now he's on top!
Escobedo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Diaz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Escobedo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Escobedo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
nick Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Escobedo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Escobedo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diaz avoids it really well and circles away.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
nick Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz fails with the takedown

and Escobedo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Escobedo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Escobedo forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobedo not doing much here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is in trouble now - Escobedo has advanced to mount!
Escobedo raining down hammerfists from mount.
Escobedo content just to control the position here.
Diaz is desperately trying to improve his position but Escobedo has a good base and remains in mount.

Escobedo working for a guillotine from mount but Diaz is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobedo moves to back control.
Escobedo controls the action.

Diaz is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Escobedo really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Diaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Escobedo.
Escobedo trying to control.

Diaz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Escobedo.

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.

Escobedo is persistently looking for the submission but Diaz is defending it well.
Diaz is really stuck here.

Escobedo is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Diaz knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Diaz for a finish.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Escobedo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Escobedo'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!

Diaz lands with an uppercut that bounces Escobedo off the cage and back into rage.

Escobedo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Diaz sprawls well initially but Escobedo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Escobedo is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Escobedo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Escobedo is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The ref stands the fighters back up. David Escobedo was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Diaz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Escobedo.
Escobedo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Diaz swings widly with a right hand

and Escobedo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Diaz won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Escobedo is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Escobedo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobedo content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Diaz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Escobedo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Escobedo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Escobedo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz tries to buck Escobedo off but Escobedo is having none of it.
David Escobedo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Diaz is trying to escape the position but Escobedo is controlling the position.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Escobedo keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Escobedo tries for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz tries to bench press Escobedo off him but Escobedo keeps the position.

Escobedo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Escobedo moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Escobedo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Escobedo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Escobedo!