PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joko Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Van Dam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jean Van Dam will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Diaz
vs
Van Dam

164 cm
32
156 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

180 cm
24
155 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

[IMMA] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joko Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jean Van Dam!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Dam throws an off balance right hand
and Diaz counters with a nice leg kick.
Diaz is looking to slow Van Dam down with leg kicks.
Van Dam misses the shot to the body.

Van Dam gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Van Dam throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Diaz trying to hold on to Van Dam's head to control him but Van Dam postures up.
Diaz taking some punishment here, with Van Dam in his half guard.
Van Dam not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Van Dam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Dam is working away from the top position though.
Van Dam throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Dam wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
Diaz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Dam scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Van Dam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Van Dam wants to stand but Diaz has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Diaz trying to control here.
Van Dam thows a huge punch but Diaz dodges it nicely.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Van Dam connects with a nice short shot to Diaz's temple.
Diaz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Dam.
Diaz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Dam.
Van Dam lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Van Dam seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diaz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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

Van Dam is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Diaz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Van Dam scores with a couple of nice shots.
Van Dam slows the pace down in half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Diaz manages to get to full guard.
Van Dam has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Diaz is proving hard to escape from.
Van Dam in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Dam preventing the sweep.
Van Dam tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.

Van Dam is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Diaz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Diaz has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Diaz wants to get up but he can't break Van Dam's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Van Dam is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Van Dam wants to pass the guard but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz gets back to full guard.
Van Dam working some strikes from top position.
Van Dam postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
Van Dam trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz trying to keep a closed guard but Van Dam is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Van Dam postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Van Dam postures up.
Van Dam is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Van Dam distracts Diaz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Van Dam trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Diaz controls Van Dam momentarily but Van Dam frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joko Diaz wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Van Dam shoots in and bounces Diaz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Van Dam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Diaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Van Dam fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Van Dam throws a lazy uppercut

and Diaz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but Van Dam is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Diaz to get the leverage.
Van Dam is doing well to control the position and prevent Diaz from advancing to side control.
Diaz tries to pass to full mount but Van Dam defends it.

Van Dam is defending against the submission attempts here by Diaz.
Van Dam wants to get back to his feet.
Diaz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Dam wants to improve his position but Diaz is controlling well.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but Van Dam defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz trying to control from half guard but Van Dam is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Still in half guard, Diaz seems content to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Van Dam preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Diaz tries to sprawl but Van Dam drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Van Dam looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diaz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Van Dam seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diaz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Dam drops an elbow to the side of Diaz's head.
Van Dam throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Diaz to regain full guard.
Van Dam with a flurry of punches that miss.
Diaz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Dam throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dam being controlled here momentarily.
Jean Van Dam has got the better of the ground game so far.
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Van Dam throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Van Dam misses with a jab to the body

and Diaz counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Van Dam is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Diaz tries to free his leg and advance position but Van Dam is retaining full guard.
Diaz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Dam wants to sweep but no luck.
Diaz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Dam is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Van Dam not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Van Dam working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Diaz.
Van Dam wants to stand but Diaz is controlling the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Diaz gets caught flat footed, as Van Dam shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Van Dam is looking to pass into half guard but Diaz pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Diaz is in guard.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dam pulls Diaz in close to his closed guard and prevents Diaz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Van Dam lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Diaz!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Dam looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diaz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Van Dam throwing shots but Diaz is blocking nicely.
Diaz taking some punishment here, with Van Dam in his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Diaz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Van Dam postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diaz wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Van Dam slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jean Van Dam will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van Dam jabs Diaz to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Van Dam throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Van Dam is in Diaz's guard.
Diaz has momentary wrist control but Van Dam slips an elbow through the middle.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Van Dam from controlling successfully.
Van Dam tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.
Van Dam throws an elbow that misses. Diaz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Van Dam's guard. Nice move by Diaz!
Diaz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Dam tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Van Dam has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dam keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Van Dam keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jean Van Dam wasn't active enough on the ground.
Van Dam digs a good body shot into Diaz's ribs.
Diaz takes a swing at Van Dam's ribcage but misses.

Van Dam throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Diaz was covering up waiting for the punch and Van Dam finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Van Dam from controlling successfully.
Diaz lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Van Dam!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz unloading with bombs!
Van Dam is desperately trying to improve his position but Diaz has a good base and remains in mount.
You get the feeling that Van Dam really doesn't like being in this position too much.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Dam is working to get back to half guard.

Diaz working for a guillotine from mount but Van Dam is in no mood to give up.
Van Dam stops Diaz from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Van Dam tries to hold on but Diaz postures up.
Diaz lands a heavy elbow.
Diaz trying to control but Van Dam is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam tries to control Diaz's body but Diaz pushes him off. Van Dam squirms to his side and now Diaz has his back!
Diaz throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Van Dam wants to escape the position.

Diaz working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Van Dam trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Van Dam showing good submission defense here.
Van Dam controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
Van Dam is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Diaz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Van Dam is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Diaz gets his way!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Dam has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Diaz is trying to stick to Van Dam's back but Van Dam is turning into Diaz. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Diaz's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Van Dam.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Dam working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Diaz has his hands on Van Dam's head, controlling the position.
Diaz working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jean Van Dam just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van Dam misses with a wild body shot.

Van Dam shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Diaz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Van Dam postures up and lands a big shot to Diaz's brow.
Van Dam is pushing down on Diaz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Diaz is fighting to maintain full guard but Van Dam has managed to sneak the leg through.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
Diaz is looking to control Van Dam's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diaz avoid being mounted?
Van Dam working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Van Dam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Van Dam lands a nice short elbow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van Dam seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz gets back to full guard.
Van Dam lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Van Dam trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Van Dam wants to stand and escape but instead Diaz has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Van Dam pulls Diaz in to control the position.
Van Dam working a defensive guard here.
Diaz trying to control but Van Dam is working from the bottom.
Van Dam tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jean Van Dam has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Van Dam loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
Van Dam takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Van Dam misses with a body shot.
A shot to the liver by Van Dam. Beautiful body shot.
Joko Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Decent striking displayed by Van Dam there.
Diaz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Dam misses with an uppercut

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Van Dam!
Van Dam managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Diaz.
Van Dam stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Diaz tries to move to mount but Van Dam blocks the move with his legs.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van Dam keeps working.
Van Dam gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam is holding on to half guard well.
Van Dam trying to hold on to Diaz's head to control him but Diaz postures up.
Van Dam keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Van Dam is looking for a sweep. Diaz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Van Dam throws a lazy uppercut
and Diaz counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Van Dam rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Diaz counters with a one-two to the body.

Van Dam looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Diaz actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Van Dam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Van Dam passes the guard and advances to mount!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van Dam landing strikes from the mount.
Diaz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Van Dam lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Van Dam landing punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diaz is looking to improve his position but Van Dam isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Van Dam dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Dam misses with a hook. Diaz ducked under it nicely.

Van Dam scores with a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing Van Dam from standing up.

Diaz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Dam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Dam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Van Dam makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Van Dam trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Van Dam working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Van Dam loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Dam wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Diaz wants to control the position but Van Dam says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Van Dam thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Diaz's head.
Van Dam tries to stand and escape but Diaz is controlling the position.
Van Dam throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Van Dam wants to stand up but Diaz has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Diaz is pressing down on Van Dam's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Dam throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.
Van Dam postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
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.
Van Dam landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Dam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Van Dam from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Van Dam's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Van Dam from controlling successfully.
Van Dam postures up and lands a big shot to Diaz's brow.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.
Van Dam wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Dam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dam manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Van Dam is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Diaz is looking to improve his position but Van Dam isn't that keen on the idea.
Van Dam fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Dam lands a big shot there that rocks Diaz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
BOOM! Van Dam connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Van Dam unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Diaz wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Van Dam celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jean Van Dam!
Our winner, Jean Van Dam, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.