PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russell Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz comes to the ring accompanied by National Anthem. Stevenson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Use Somebody. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Diaz
vs
Stevenson

169 cm
18
172 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

169 cm
20
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, David Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Russell Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stevenson pushes Diaz away with a front kick.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Stevenson avoids them all with ease.
Nice takedown defense from Diaz. No joy for Stevenson on that attempt.
Good leg kick by Diaz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Horrible takedown by Stevenson or perhaps it was just good defense by Diaz which made him look bad.
Diaz is looking to clinch.

Diaz gets caught flat footed, as Stevenson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Diaz lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stevenson!
Diaz lands a heavy elbow.
Diaz could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Diaz stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Stevenson keeps the fight on the outside.
Stevenson throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
David Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Stevenson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Stevenson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stevenson with a poor takedown

and Diaz counters with a single leg into guard. Stevenson didn't expect that.
Stevenson looks gassed!
Stevenson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diaz's guard.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.

Stevenson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diaz lands a good elbow from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diaz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.

Diaz looking for a guillotine here but Stevenson defends easily.
Stevenson forces his way into half guard.
Diaz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diaz looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Stevenson has picked Diaz up and slammed him! Diaz can't keep hold of the triangle and Stevenson manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is trying to work for a sweep but Stevenson has mounted him!

Stevenson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Diaz is squirming around, avoiding Stevenson's attempts to control the action.
Diaz is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Stevenson is trying to take his opponent's back.
Diaz is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

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.

Stevenson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Stevenson is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Diaz has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Diaz is squirming around, avoiding Stevenson's attempts to control the action.
Stevenson looking to finish Diaz with some ground and pound. This is bad for Diaz!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stevenson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Stevenson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stevenson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Diaz will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stevenson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diaz keeps the fight on the outside.
Stevenson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Diaz swivels and escapes.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.

Diaz has Stevenson up against the ropes in a clinch.
Diaz content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Diaz pulls guard.

Diaz working for a triangle but Stevenson defends it easily.
Stevenson slips nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Stevenson there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson wants to take a breather but Diaz is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Stevenson wants to work for an arm triangle but Diaz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Diaz is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Stevenson pulls his head out easily.

Diaz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Stevenson is trying to work for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
Stevenson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Diaz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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.
Diaz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stevenson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stevenson's back!
Stevenson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Even with his hooks in, Diaz manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Stevenson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Diaz's guard. Nice work there by Stevenson.

Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stevenson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stevenson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stevenson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Diaz's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson lands a couple of elbows.
David Diaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevenson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Diaz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diaz is keeping the position for now.

Stevenson stands up from Diaz's guard - Stevenson perhaps looking for a knockout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stevenson.
Diaz is looking to break free of the clinch but Stevenson has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevenson jumps guard but Diaz stands there with Stevenson around his waist. Stevenson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stevenson digs a right hand into Diaz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Diaz's gas tank.

Diaz has Stevenson pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Diaz pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Stevenson tumbling to the mat - Diaz dives into Stevenson's guard.
Stevenson looking to control.
Diaz is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevenson has wrist control.

Diaz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stevenson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Diaz, into his guard.
Diaz wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Diaz dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Diaz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Diaz lands a head kick. Stevenson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Diaz rushes Stevenson and presses him up against the ropes.
Diaz wants a takedown.

Stevenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevenson pinned against the cage. Stevenson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stevenson looks for a takedown but Diaz sprawls well.
Stevenson shoots in for a double leg but Diaz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
David Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russell Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a body shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Stevenson!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diaz throws a head kick that Stevenson semi-blocks.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stevenson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson wants to control but Diaz is keeping him busy.
Stevenson lands a few punches from side control.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Stevenson keeps moving and retains side control.
Stevenson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
Diaz is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Diaz manages to get to full guard.
Diaz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stevenson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stevenson stops Diaz from standing up.
Stevenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing Stevenson from standing up.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet but Stevenson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Diaz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stevenson is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to sit in guard and control but Diaz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Diaz wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling his posture from full guard.

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

Stevenson has closed the distance and engaged Diaz in a clinch.
Diaz gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevenson.

Diaz gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Diaz looks to land a strike but Stevenson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to control.
Stevenson throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Diaz stands up from Stevenson's guard - Diaz perhaps looking for a knockout.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevenson shoots in looking for a takedown. Diaz tries to sprawl out of it but Stevenson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Diaz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stevenson avoids the head kick by Diaz.

Stevenson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stevenson wants to get up but he can't break Diaz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diaz is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to David Diaz.
Well Diaz has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight for David Diaz!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for David Diaz!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for David Diaz!

David Diaz wins by unanimous decision!