PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Martello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Didier Diane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max Martello could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Didier Diane's chin.

Martello
vs
Diane

200 cm
22
192 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

189 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Max Martello!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Didier Diane!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diane throws the left hand but Martello avoids the punch easily.
Martello tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diane swats him away and circles back towards the center.

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

Martello 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.
Martello will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Martello seems to be working for a kimura but Diane defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martello not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Diane really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Martello. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diane tries to kick Martello off but Martello keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Martello is keen to just control but Diane is a slippery customer.
Martello is really struggling to control Diane but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Martello gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Martello is breathing heavily.
Diane throws a right and a left that Martello avoids nicely.
Diane throws a right and a left that both miss.
Martello takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diane swinging wilding here.
Diane misses the jab.
Diane scores with a jab to the head.
Good shot there by Diane.

It looks like Max Martello has been cut.
Diane lands a left and a right that sends Martello crashing to the canvas! Diane dives into mount looking to finish!

Martello is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diane is stalling here but it's allowed Martello to get half guard.
Oh Martello is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Diane blocks the strikes from Martello.
Martello seems to have got his legs back now.
Diane is keen to just control but Martello is a slippery customer.
Martello tries to roll over but Diane keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diane seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Martello does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Martello moves into full guard.
Martello is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Diane wants to get up but he can't break Martello's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Martello working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diane doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diane manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Diane throws a one two combo.
Martello ducks straight into an uppercut from Diane and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Martello maanges to regain guard straight away.
Martello is trying to keep Diane in close.

Martello working for a triangle but Diane defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Martello working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Didier Diane dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Max Martello'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.

Diane cracks Martello with an open hand slap.
Diane is looking to clinch.
Martello misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Diane lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Diane cracks Martello with an uppercut from hell and Martello crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Diane's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!
Diane postures up.
Diane trying to control but Martello is working from the bottom.
Diane wants to stand but Martello has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Martello wants to sweep here but Diane controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martello had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Diane is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Martello Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Diane's back instead.

Martello is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Diane is defending well though. Martello let's go of the attempt for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Diane just trying to survive but Martello is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Martello has the hooks in. Diane is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Martello slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Even with his hooks in, Martello manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Diane is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diane is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Martello has good solid back control here.
Diane tries to escape but Martello has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Diane holding both Martello 's hands and preventing any damage.
Martello wants to control the position but Diane frees himself and scrambles - Martello manages to regain control in side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Diane lands with a straight right. Martello didn't see that one coming.
Diane tries to clinch up
and Martello counters with a solid body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Didier Diane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Max Martello's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Diane moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Diane fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Diane finds it's way through Martello's defenses.

Max Martello's cut is getting worse.
Diane walks forward and throws a big overhand right! Martello drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes! Diane swarms on him with more punches until the referee wrestles him away from Martello's unconscious body! Wow, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:16 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Didier Diane!
Didier Diane is the new middleweight champion!