PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Diagana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Van Dam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diagana comes to the cage accompanied by Judas Priest - Painkiller. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Diagana
vs
Van Dam

168 cm
26
133 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

159 cm
20
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Alberto Diagana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kevin Van Dam!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Dam throws a leg kick

and Diagana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Diagana.
Diagana misses with an elbow strike.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Dam wants a takedown.
Van Dam wants to get back to striking at distance but Diagana won't allow it.
Van Dam is trying to stall.
Diagana landing knees to the head.
Diagana lands an elbow inside.
Diagana lands a knee to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Diagana lands an elbow inside.
Van Dam jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Diagana walks away with a smile on his face. Van Dam gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Van Dam gets a double leg takedown into Diagana's guard.

Diagana uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Van Dam rushes Diagana and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Diagana is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Diagana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Van Dam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Diagana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Van Dam's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dam looking for a takedown.
Alberto Diagana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Van Dam.
Diagana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Diagana missing with knees to the body.
Van Dam is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diagana lands an elbow inside that Van Dam shrugs off.
Diagana lands a nice knee to the body.
Van Dam avoiding damage as Diagana throws knees to the body.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Dam avoids it.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diagana has Van Dam pressed against the cage, preventing Van Dam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Diagana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Diagana putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Van Dam in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Diagana is breathing heavily.
Van Dam tries to stall but Diagana uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Diagana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Van Dam breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diagana moves out of range of the body kick from Van Dam.

Van Dam pushes Diagana up against the cage in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Diagana just misses with a elbow thrown towards Van Dam's brow.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Diagana lands a nice knee to the body.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diagana blocks a body shot from Van Dam.
Diagana utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Van Dam is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Diagana pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Diagana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Knees in the clinch landing for Diagana.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Van Dam jumps guard but Diagana stands there with Van Dam around his waist. Van Dam gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Van Dam looking for a takedown.
Van Dam jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Diagana walks away with a smile on his face. Van Dam gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Diagana doesn't manage to clinch there - Van Dam circles away.
Alberto Diagana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van Dam shoots in for a double leg but Diagana sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Dam swats away the attempt to clinch by Diagana.
Van Dam fails with the takedown

and Diagana holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Diagana connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam wants to stall.
Diagana lands a body punch.
Diagana with a knee to the head.
Diagana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Van Dam's defenses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diagana.
Diagana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Van Dam.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diagana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Diagana landing knees to the body.
Van Dam on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but Diagana holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Dam drops back down to his feet.
Van Dam just leaning against Diagana, taking a breather.
Van Dam on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van Dam wants a takedown but no success here.
Diagana working Van Dam over with knees to the body.
Van Dam is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Diagana gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Diagana pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Van Dam managing to block the knees to the body from Diagana.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but Diagana holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Dam drops back down to his feet.
Diagana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Van Dam.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam has Diagana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diagana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Van Dam has Diagana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diagana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Diagana throws a head punch that misses.
Van Dam jumps guard but Diagana stands there with Van Dam around his waist. Van Dam gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diagana with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diagana is pressed up against the cage. Van Dam has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Diagana down to the mat. Diagana avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Diagana swings for the body but Van Dam moves out of range.
Van Dam misses with a takedown attempt - Diagana sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Van Dam instigates a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diagana is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Diagana.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Dam avoids it.
Diagana with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diagana lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Van Dam is trying to break the clinch but Diagana is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Diagana dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Van Dam shoots in for a takedown but Diagana shows good takedown defense.
Van Dam keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Dam with a lazy takedown attempt

and Diagana holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Van Dam wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Diagana lands an elbow inside.
Nice body punch from Diagana.
Van Dam looking to slow down the pace here.
Van Dam tries for a takedown. No joy.
Alberto Diagana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Van Dam.
A right hand to the body from Diagana.
A short uppercut from Diagana.
Van Dam is trying to force a seperation but Diagana has the dominant position.
Van Dam tries to circle away but Diagana has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diagana comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Diagana lands an elbow just above Van Dam 's eye.
Van Dam is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Diagana is keeping busy.
Van Dam is breathing heavily.
Diagana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Van Dam misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diagana lands an elbow just above Van Dam 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diagana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Van Dam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Diagana lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Diagana lands a knee to the body.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Van Dam wants a takedown but no success here.
Van Dam is trying to push Diagana away but Diagana has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Diagana has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Van Dam tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diagana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Van Dam.
Van Dam avoiding damage as Diagana throws knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Van Dam.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Van Dam is looking to break free of the clinch but Diagana has double underhooks.
Diagana working Van Dam over with knees to the body.
Van Dam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Dam avoids it.
Van Dam on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Diagana pushes off an throws an elbow but Van Dam leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Van Dam fails to pull guard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Diagana.
Van Dam can't break the clinch.

That's two 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.
Van Dam tries to circle away but Diagana has him pinned against the cage.
Diagana gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Van Dam.
Van Dam working hard to break the clinch.
Van Dam tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Diagana trying to land knees to the body.
Van Dam managing to block the knees to the body from Diagana.
Van Dam struggles to land a body shot inside as Diagana controls his hands.
Diagana misses with an elbow strike.
Van Dam tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Dam avoids it.
Van Dam wants a takedown but no success here.
Diagana lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diagana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Van Dam has Diagana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diagana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Van Dam has Diagana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diagana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Van Dam takes a knee to the side of the body.
Diagana missing with knees to the body.
Van Dam changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Diagana fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Van Dam with a poor takedown
letting Diagana counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diagana closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Diagana lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diagana lands a nice elbow.
Diagana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Dam blocks it with crossed arms.
Van Dam misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Dam wants to break free but Diagana has control.
Diagana prevents Van Dam from breaking the clinch.
Diagana trying to land knees to the body.
Van Dam avoiding damage as Diagana throws knees to the body.
Van Dam fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Van Dam is trying to push Diagana away but Diagana has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Van Dam will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Diagana up against the cage.
Van Dam blocks an elbow strike from Diagana.
Van Dam blocks the elbow strike.
Alberto Diagana has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Diagana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Van Dam working hard to break the clinch.
Van Dam is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Van Dam fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Van Dam looking to slow down the pace here.
Diagana stops a takedown attempt from Van Dam.
Diagana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Dam blocks it with crossed arms.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Dam.
Van Dam avoiding damage as Diagana throws knees to the body.
Van Dam jumps guard but Diagana stands there with Van Dam around his waist. Van Dam gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Van Dam tries for a takedown but Diagana manages to get underhooks.
Van Dam tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Diagana smiles and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diagana looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Van Dam gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diagana pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diagana obliges.
Diagana lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Diagana dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

No luck for Van Dam with that takedown attempt.
Diagana tries to clinch but Van Dam is having none of it.
Van Dam misses with a leg kick

and Diagana moves into the clinch.
Van Dam on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van Dam has had enough of the clinch but Diagana keeps him there for the moment.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Diagana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Dam is defending well for now.
Van Dam blocks the elbow strike.
Van Dam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Van Dam tries to break the clinch but Diagana is controlling the position.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but Diagana holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Dam drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diagana tries to land a knee to the head but Van Dam blocks with his arms.
Diagana digs a right hand underneath Van Dam's ribcage. Van Dam let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Diagana pushes off an throws an elbow but Van Dam leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Diagana throws an elbow but misses.
Van Dam has Diagana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diagana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alberto Diagana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Van Dam.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diagana lands an elbow inside that Van Dam shrugs off.
Diagana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dam is trying to push Diagana away but Diagana has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Diagana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but Diagana won't allow it.
Van Dam drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Diagana gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diagana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Dam tries to circle away but Diagana has him pinned against the cage.
Van Dam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Diagana misses with a knee to the head.
Van Dam is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Diagana gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Diagana keeps control of Van Dam as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Van Dam is trying to drag Diagana to the mat but Diagana just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Diagana stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short left from Diagana.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Dam using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Diagana has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Van Dam is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Diagana pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two 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.
Diagana lands a nice shot to the body.
Van Dam wants to break free but Diagana has control.
Diagana missing with knees to the body.
Van Dam tries to pull guard but Diagana holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Dam drops back down to his feet.
Van Dam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diagana obliges.
Van Dam tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diagana looking to throw knees to the head but Van Dam is blocking nicely.
Van Dam fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Van Dam has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Van Dam tries for a takedown. No joy.
Diagana lands a nice elbow.
Diagana lands an elbow inside that Van Dam shrugs off.
Van Dam is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diagana landing knees to the body.
Van Dam tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Diagana smiles and moves away.

Diagana closes the distance and pushes Van Dam back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam is looking to break free of the clinch but Diagana has double underhooks.
Diagana missing with knees to the body.
Diagana throws an elbow but it misses.
Diagana keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Dam's efforts to push away.
Van Dam blocking some punches.
Van Dam looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diagana tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Dam avoids the damage to the body.
Diagana scores with a nice hook to the head.
Diagana lands with a short shot to the head.
Van Dam is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Alberto Diagana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the cage, Van Dam throws an elbow but misses.
Van Dam can't get the takedown.
Van Dam is trying to break the clinch but Diagana is controlling him.
Diagana lands a good knee to the midsection. Van Dam won't want to take too many of those.
A frustrated look appears on Van Dam's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four 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.
Diagana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Dam blocks it with crossed arms.
A knee to the head by Diagana.
Van Dam has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diagana avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Diagana lands a nice elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Diagana throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Van Dam changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Diagana fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Van Dam gets tackled into the cage by Diagana. Diagana maintains the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diagana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Van Dam's defenses.
Van Dam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kevin Van Dam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Dam misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diagana lands an elbow inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alberto Diagana showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diagana, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alberto Diagana!