PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugues De Payens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Payens has chosen Rage against the machine - Bombtrack as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Diaz
vs
De Payens

181 cm
34
193 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

187 cm
30
189 lbs
22 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
****160Q Energy for $150****

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 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hugues De Payens!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

De Payens gets caught flat footed, as Diaz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
De Payens 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.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but De Payens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Payens keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
De Payens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but De Payens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Payens has control of Diaz's left arm, preventing Diaz from doing any damage.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. De Payens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diaz is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz won't allow De Payens to sweep him here.
Diaz tries to free his leg and advance position but De Payens is retaining full guard.
De Payens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diaz's guard.

De Payens wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
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.
Diaz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as De Payens controls the pace.
De Payens's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
De Payens tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.
Diaz seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Diaz is trying to control the position but De Payens postures up.
De Payens would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.

Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
De Payens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diaz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Diaz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing De Payens from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A solid leg kick lands there for Diaz.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Diaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
De Payens lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hugues De Payens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz slips under a jab from De Payens.
Diaz ducks right into an uppercut from De Payens.
De Payens connects with a leg kick. Diaz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz feints and then cracks De Payens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow De Payens down.
Diaz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Diaz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Diaz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
De Payens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a leg kick which misses De Payens's front leg but catches the back leg as De Payens tries to avoid it.
De Payens defending well as Diaz loads up on a big left hand.
De Payens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
Matt Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Payens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz swings away with a body shot that misses
and De Payens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Diaz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and De Payens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Diaz swings widly with a right hand
and De Payens counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. De Payens moves away and avoids it.
Diaz shoots and misses
and De Payens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
De Payens throws a low kick but Diaz avoids it.
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 Matt Diaz will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diaz walks into a stiff left hand from De Payens.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but De Payens circles away.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. De Payens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
De Payens misses with a body kick.
Diaz looks to land a combination but De Payens avoids it well.
It seemed like De Payens was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Diaz bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Diaz lands a jab to De Payens's midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Payens feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Diazs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Diaz tries a low kick but De Payens avoids it.
Diaz pivots, looking for a leg kick but De Payens is out of range and Diaz settles back down.
Diaz swings for the body but De Payens moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Payens staying out of range there.
Diaz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from De Payens. That one must have hurt.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
De Payens has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Diaz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Diaz throws a body punch but De Payens moves out of range.
De Payens let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Diaz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Diaz lands in his opponent's guard.
De Payens managing to control the position.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz being controlled here momentarily.
Diaz postures up.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Payens can do to turn this around?
De Payens trying to control the position here.
De Payens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diaz is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz trying to control but De Payens is working from the bottom.
De Payens is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Matt Diaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz won't allow De Payens to pass to mount.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.
Diaz is refusing to be controlled, as De Payens sits in half guard.
De Payens is controlling the pace.
Diaz is not content to let De Payens control the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with De Payens in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
De Payens trying to mount his opponent but Diaz defends it.
Diaz is trying to maintain the position but De Payens is very close to passing his half guard.
Diaz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
De Payens is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Diaz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Payens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
De Payens trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt 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.

De Payens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
De Payens dips to his left and cracks Diaz with an uppercut!
Diaz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Payens.
De Payens tries a quick counter leg kick but Diaz is wise to it.
Diaz lands a really nice looking cross but De Payens seems unphased.
De Payens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz throws a push kick but De Payens slaps the foot to one side.
Diaz connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries for a takedown but De Payens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz misses with a left hand
and De Payens counters with a straight right hand.
De Payens throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
De Payens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
De Payens fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Diaz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Diaz avoids a kick to the body.
De Payens takes one to the side of the head.
De Payens thumps Diaz with a low kick.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but De Payens sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
De Payens now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Diaz misses with a combination
and De Payens counters with a three punch combo that has Diaz backing up. Diaz nods at De Payens to acknowledge the strikes.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Diaz was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Payens is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
The referee asks Diaz politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Diaz prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by De Payens, who protects the arm well.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by De Payens, who protects the arm well.
De Payens struggling a bit here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
De Payens tries to improve position but can't.
De Payens is trying to control Diaz's posture but Diaz avoids it.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by De Payens, who protects the arm well.
De Payens struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Payens is looking for a sweep.

Diaz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but De Payens is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
De Payens is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Diaz has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Diaz is looking to take a break and control but De Payens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
De Payens is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Diaz off and has taken his back!
Diaz is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to break free.
De Payens biding his time, controlling Diaz.
Diaz tries to break free.
A bit of a pause in the action here. De Payens controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugues De Payens really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Good leg kick by De Payens there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
De Payens checks the leg kick.
De Payens misses with a body kick.
Diaz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from De Payens.
Diaz slips a jab from De Payens.
Diaz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Diaz throws a big shot that misses.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with De Payens, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes De Payens against the cage but De Payens circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A clash of legs there as De Payens blocks the low kick.
De Payens lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
De Payens defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
Diaz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Payens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diaz.
Diaz throws a leg kick that is checked
and De Payens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
De Payens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hugues De Payens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Diaz throws a wild body kick that De Payens sees coming a mile off.
Diaz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
De Payens throws a push kick but Diaz slaps the foot to one side.
De Payens scores with a one two! Diaz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Diaz lands a jab to the head.
De Payens walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Diaz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. De Payens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
De Payens steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Diaz misses the shot to the body.
De Payens steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Diaz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Payens moves away from the strike by Diaz.
Diaz connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Payens works Diaz's body with a nice hook.
Donk. De Payens catches Diaz right on the button with a cross.
De Payens throws a quick inside leg kick.
Diaz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from De Payens.
Diaz throws a hook but De Payens blocks it.
Diaz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
De Payens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Diaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by De Payens.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for De Payens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
De Payens misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for De Payens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
De Payens throws a front kick aimed at Diaz's knee but Diaz avoids it well.
Diaz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and De Payens counters with a nice body shot.
Diaz walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. De Payens checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
De Payens looks like he wants to counter punch here.
De Payens cracks Diaz with a good jab.
Sloppy strikes from De Payens. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz dodges the punch combination from De Payens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
De Payens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by De Payens.
De Payens slips under a jab.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Payens was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Diaz digs a good body shot into De Payens's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A bone on bone clash there as De Payens blocks the leg kick.
De Payens steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Diaz.
De Payens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
De Payens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugues De Payens dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Payens's waist but De Payens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
De Payens looks for the body kick but Diaz saw that one coming.
Diaz throws a wild body kick that De Payens sees coming a mile off.
A nice combination there by De Payens.
Diaz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
De Payens ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
De Payens punishes Diaz's body with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Payens lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Diaz misses with an uppercut
and De Payens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
Diaz throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Payens moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
De Payens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
De Payens avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
De Payens defending well as Diaz loads up on a big left hand.
Diaz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. De Payens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diaz scores with a sloppy right hand. De Payens should have avoided that one.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
De Payens only half commits to the counter leg kick.
De Payens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
De Payens lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by De Payens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Payens lands a nice shot to the body.
Diaz blocks a head kick by De Payens.
De Payens fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Payens.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
De Payens throws a nice inside leg kick.
Diaz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Diaz throws a lazy right hand but De Payens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
De Payens unleashes a big counter combination but Diaz bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from De Payens.
De Payens lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
De Payens avoids a kick to the body.
Diaz throws a leg kick
and Diaz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
De Payens slips under a jab.
De Payens takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
De Payens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diaz throws the left hand but De Payens avoids the punch easily.
De Payens lands a nice leg kick that just misses Diaz's sensitive parts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diaz.
De Payens let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
De Payens connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diaz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping De Payens at a distance.
No joy there for De Payens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz throws a hook but De Payens blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling De Payens to score with a decent uppercut.
Diaz connects with a leg kick. De Payens looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
De Payens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De Payens wants it to stay on the feet.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but De Payens uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - De Payens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugues De Payens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think De Payens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugues De Payens!
Hugues De Payens is the new middleweight champion!
Hugues De Payens took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'It's no secret that my opponent had the plan to take me down and lay and pray! Well I'm here and I'm the one who is victorious! Hemmo, you are like a hemmeroid, your time is not yet arrived. I admire your spirit, but not your fighting style, you are a human slug my friend! One love! Broken Ha'.