PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Beast Of The East (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz has chosen Youssoupha - Ne Compare Pas 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.

Of The East
vs
Diaz

178 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
22
167 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Beast Of The East!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rory Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The East slips under a jab from Diaz.
The East on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diaz. Diaz obviously looking to wear him down.
Diaz misses with a body kick.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says The East as he avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - The East throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The East misses with a double jab
and Diaz makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The East swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
The East scores with a punch to the head.
The East swings away with a body shot that misses

and Diaz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Diaz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The East is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Diaz trying to control but The East is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The East keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
The East bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diaz's guard.
The East trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The East throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.
Diaz is looking to work some ground and pound but The East has wrist control.
Diaz slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The East controls Diaz momentarily but Diaz frees himself.
The East keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The East is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diaz is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz works over The East with some ground and pound from guard.

The East looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Diaz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz content to stall in guard here.
Diaz wants to control from the top but The East keeps moving.

The East is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Diaz defends well.
Diaz throws a big elbow that misses.
The East keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The East not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

The East is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The East being controlled here, momentarily.
Diaz throws a strike but The East rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Diaz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diaz controlling The East's posture.
The East throws an elbow that misses. Diaz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in The East's guard. Nice move by Diaz!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz trying to control but The East is working from the bottom.
Diaz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The East working for submissions but it's allowed Diaz to get to half guard.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but The East keeps working.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The East wants to improve his position but Diaz is controlling well.
The East trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The East won't allow Diaz to pass to mount.

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

Rory Diaz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diaz throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and The East counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The East throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The East misses with a shot to the body

and Diaz counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Diaz blocking some punches.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but The East sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but The East is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Diaz to get the leverage.
Diaz prevents The East from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The East actively working from the bottom here.
The East has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diaz is working away from the top position though.

The East is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diaz pulls his head out easily.
The East is looking to control Diaz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can The East avoid being mounted?
Diaz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but The East does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Diaz lands strikes from half guard.
The East trying to control here.
The East regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Diaz.

The East is looking for a triangle but Diaz pushes his legs off easily.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz scoring with some ground and pound.
Diaz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The East sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but The East keeps working.

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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The East tries to kick Diaz off but Diaz keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The East is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Diaz scores with a couple of nice shots.
The East is looking to control Diaz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can The East avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz thows a huge punch but The East dodges it nicely.
Diaz stalling away here and it's allowed The East to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

The East has his foot on Diaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diaz works his way back into a safe position though.
The East is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
Diaz trying to control but The East postures up.
Diaz moves into full guard.
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The East loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The East loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diaz controls The East momentarily but The East frees himself.

Diaz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. The East gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.
Rory Diaz has got the better of the ground game so far.
The East throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Diaz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The East working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The East throws a big right hand that misses.
Diaz is trying to keep The East in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Donk. Diaz catches The East right on the button with a cross.
The East pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diaz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Diaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by The East.
The East misses with a straight right.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but The East saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The East misses with a straight left.
Diaz throws a series of punches but The East moves out of range.
Diaz sizes up The East with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Good work by Diaz as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The East misses with an uppercut

and Diaz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Diaz.
The East throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Diaz keeps control of The East as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and The East counters with a body kick that stops Diaz in his tracks momentarily.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The East tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The East to the ground. The East escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diaz tries to clinch but The East moves out of range.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The East.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Beast Of The East has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Diaz.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The East fails with a takedown attempt.
Beast Of The East has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The East connects with a nice looking jab.
Diaz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
The East tries to work over Diaz's front leg with a kick but Diaz checks it.
Diaz swinging wildly here.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The East avoids a punch combination nicely.
The East displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diaz throws out the jab.
The East moves away from the strike by Diaz.
No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt - The East sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The East tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diaz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The East fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Rory Diaz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from The East.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The East lands with a nice body punch.
The East scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Diaz misses with a double jab
and The East counters with a nice body shot.
A big right from The East misses.
Rory Diaz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The East shoots in looking for a takedown but Diaz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing The East's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts The East, as that shot connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The East misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
Beast Of The East showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Diaz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Diaz!
Rory Diaz tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.