PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Len Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Third Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Asher Roth - Enforce the Law. Third Diaz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sampson
vs
Diaz

203 cm
24
194 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Len Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Third Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Diaz feints a jab promting Sampson to slip. Diaz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sampson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sampson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sampson darts in looking for a takedown but Diaz gets double underhooks and turns Sampson into the cage.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
Sampson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Diaz throws a nice looking combination but Sampson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sampson is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, Sampson circles away and we're back to standing.
Sampson swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sampson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sampson tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sampson misses with a head kick.
Third Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Diaz throws a right hand that Sampson ducks under and follows up with a left that Sampson also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampson gets a double leg takedown into Diaz's guard.

Diaz isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Sampson stacks Diaz on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Sampson!
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
Diaz gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Diaz really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sampson is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Diaz is trying to stand up.
Diaz wants to control but Sampson is having none of it.
Diaz tries to improve his position but instead Sampson has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz 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 Sampson gets his way!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampson is punishing Diaz with strikes - can he finish him?!
Sampson wants to control but Diaz manages to buck him off and is now in Sampson's guard! Nice work there by Diaz!
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Sampson is trying to stand back up but Diaz is controlling him
Diaz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sampson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Diaz is working for a kimura but Sampson is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sampson!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sampson wants to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.
Sampson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Sampson can't escape the position.

Diaz goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sampson is on top in guard.
Sampson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sampson is looking to stand up but Diaz won't let him.
Sampson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sampson is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz can't keep his opponent in guard - Sampson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Diaz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz is trying to stand.
Diaz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Diaz.
Diaz trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sampson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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 Len Sampson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sampson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Diaz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sampson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sampson content to stall in guard here.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Sampson postures up.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.
Sampson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Diaz trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz wants to stand and escape but Sampson is having none of it.
Sampson is pushing down on Diaz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Diaz is fighting to maintain full guard but Sampson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sampson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Len Sampson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Diaz tries to kick Sampson off but Sampson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sampson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Diaz is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Diaz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Sampson gets a double leg takedown into Diaz's guard.
Diaz can't keep his opponent in guard - Sampson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sampson is taking a breather. Diaz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Diaz looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diaz actively working from the bottom here.
Sampson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Diaz is trying to stand.
Diaz tries to roll over but Sampson keeps him under control.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet.

Sampson in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Diaz tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Sampson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Len Sampson!
Third Diaz was interviewed post fight and said 'I'm gonna retire'.