PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Mitchell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abou Diaby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mitchell
vs
Diaby

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Mitchell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Abou Diaby!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitchell tries to clinch up but Diaby circles away and keeps his distance.
Mitchell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diaby.
A combination from Mitchell does no damage.

Diaby moves into the clinch successfully.

Diaby's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Diaby feints and as Mitchell raises his hands in defense, Diaby changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Diaby stays in close to Mitchell's body and controls the position.
Diaby slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Diaby moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Mitchell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Diaby on the ground.

Diaby stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell scores with a three punch combo!
Mitchell wants to clinch up but Diaby keeps it at a distance.

Diaby looking to score a takedown here. Mitchell is defending well but Diaby drives through and ends up in Mitchell's guard.

Diaby gets to his feet - Mitchell follows without any prompting.
A punch combination from Mitchell misses.
A combination from Mitchell does no damage.
Diaby looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mitchell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaby moves away.
Mitchell wants to clinch

and Diaby holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Diaby turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Diaby manages to end up in side control.

Diaby decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is looking to slow Diaby down with leg kicks.
Mitchell wants to clinch up but Diaby keeps it at a distance.
Mitchell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Diaby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mitchell is defended easily by Diaby.

Diaby has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mitchell tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mitchell is fighting off a takedown attempt but Diaby is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mitchell to the mat. Mitchell regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Diaby in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mitchell wants to stand and escape but Diaby is having none of it.
Mitchell is breathing heavily.

Diaby thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaby gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Diaby feints and as Mitchell raises his hands in defense, Diaby changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diaby is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Diaby stands up and waves to Mitchell to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Mitchell. Those never looked like landing.
Mitchell tries to bum rush Diaby with a series of wild strikes but Diaby uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mitchell throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaby lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Mark Mitchell has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaby will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Diaby shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mitchell is trying to defend but Diaby finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Diaby slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abou Diaby dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Mitchell'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.

Mitchell connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mitchell fakes the leg kick and cracks Diaby in the body.
Diaby darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mitchell moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Diaby closes the distance and pushes Mitchell back into the cage.

Diaby has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mitchell regains guard immediately.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaby is stalling in the full guard.
Mitchell is looking to stand up but Diaby isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaby gets to his feet - Mitchell follows without any prompting.
Mitchell dives in and grabs Diaby's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaby pushes down on Mitchell's head and hops out.

Diaby darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Abou Diaby has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Diaby controlling the pace.
Nice strikes from Diaby there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is looking to escape.
Diaby lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mitchell tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Diaby manages to move to mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaby content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaby's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Diaby stands up from mount. Strange move.

Diaby drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Diaby advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaby content just to control the position here.
Diaby raining down shots from the mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Diaby throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Mitchell has his hands clasped together but Diaby breaks the hold and Mitchell is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Diaby!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Abou Diaby!