PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nickolas Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Diaz
vs
Askren

185 cm
27
200 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

194 cm
25
212 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nickolas Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Askren!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Askren looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Askren is looking to escape.
Askren wants to control but Diaz passes into side.
Diaz tries to move into full mount but can't pass Askren's legs.
Diaz trying to control the position but Askren is working away.
Askren is looking for a sweep.
Askren is not content to let Diaz control the position.
Askren is trying to work for a sweep but Diaz has mounted him!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Diaz misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Askren is trying to escape the mount.

Diaz looking to secure an arm triangle but Askren defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is squirming around, avoiding Diaz's attempts to control the action.
Askren is wriggling around trying to escape.
Askren is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Askren flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Askren is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
It looks like Diaz is going to stand back up.

Diaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Askren tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Askren looking for submissions off his back.
Askren wants to get back to his feet.
Diaz trying to control from half guard but Askren is working away.
Askren has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diaz is working away from the top position though.
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 wants to lay and pray for a moment but Askren keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Askren looking for submissions off his back.

Askren kicks Diaz off and gets back to his feet.

Askren gets the takedown into side control.
Diaz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Askren off and has taken his back!
Askren trying to control but not successfully.
Askren is really stuck here.
Diaz lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Askren rolls, trying to escape but Diaz keeps control of the position.
Askren rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
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. Diaz connects with a nice short shot to Askren's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren is trying to get back to full guard.
Askren throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Diaz is looking to take a break and control but Askren is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Askren is trying to maintain the position but Diaz is very close to passing his half guard.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Askren keeps working.
Askren manages to get to full guard.
Askren is trying to control the position but Diaz postures up.
Diaz postures up in Askren's guard and throws a big left but Askren blocks it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Askren working a defensive guard here.
Askren has a closed guard, preventing Diaz from standing up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Askren closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Diaz to the mat! Diaz manages to get full guard.
Askren wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz wants to stand but Askren is controlling the position.
Askren passes Diaz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Diaz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Askren pulls his head out easily.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Askren landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Diaz taking some punishment here, with Askren in his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren is nestled in close to Diaz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Askren seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Askren is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Askren 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.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Diaz moves into full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Askren keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Diaz's head.
Askren is working Diaz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Askren loads up on a big left hand. Diaz felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Askren looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Diaz can't hide his disappointment, as Askren celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ben Askren!
Ben Askren decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.