PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mashrafe Mortaza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luiz Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luiz 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!

Mortaza
vs
Diaz

170 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mashrafe Mortaza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Luiz Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Diaz wants it to stay on the feet.
Mortaza fails with the takedown

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control.
Diaz in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Mortaza is not content to let Diaz control the position.
Mortaza manages to work his way to half guard, despite Diaz's best efforts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz is looking to stall here but Mortaza recovers full guard.
Diaz throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mortaza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diaz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diaz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mortaza pulls Diaz in close to prevent any damage.
Mortaza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diaz is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mortaza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Diaz trying to control but Mortaza is working from the bottom.
Mortaza seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Mortaza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz trying to move into half guard but instead Mortaza has managed to sweep!

Mortaza trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mortaza has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Diaz is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortaza wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

Mortaza drops back, looking for a kneebar! Diaz looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Diaz looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Diaz!

Diaz is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mortaza's shoulder. That is not cool.
Mortaza looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mortaza tries to bench press Diaz off him but Diaz keeps the position.
Mortaza gets back to half guard.
Diaz controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mortaza manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Diaz forces his way into half guard.
Mortaza is looking to improve his position.
Diaz looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Diaz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mortaza wants to improve his position but Diaz is controlling well.
Mortaza is staying active underneath Diaz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Diaz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mortaza misses with a takedown attempt
and Diaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Mortaza dives in and scores a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Mortaza stopping the sweep attempt from Diaz.
Mortaza looking to sit in guard and control but Diaz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mortaza looking for a sweep. Not yet Mortaza, not yet.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Mortaza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz pushing down on Mortaza's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mortaza wants to get back to full guard but Diaz has passed into side control.
Diaz trying to control the position but Mortaza is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortaza wants to control but Diaz postures up.
Mortaza is looking for a sweep.
Diaz wants to take a breather but Mortaza manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Diaz.
Mortaza is trying to keep Diaz in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Diaz trying to control but Mortaza is working from the bottom.
Mortaza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diaz is one step ahead there.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Mortaza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mortaza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diaz defends it easily.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Mortaza is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looking to sit in guard and control but Mortaza gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mortaza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diaz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diaz working a defensive guard here.
Mortaza looking to pass the guard.

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.
Mortaza wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mortaza shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz goes for a double leg but Mortaza avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mortaza continues to drive forward.
Mortaza shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mashrafe Mortaza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Diaz closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mortaza to the mat! Mortaza manages to get full guard.
Mortaza is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mortaza wants to sweep but no luck.
Luiz Diaz has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mortaza keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Diaz throwing strikes from guard but Mortaza blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luiz Diaz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
Mortaza drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Luiz Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mortaza fails with a takedown attempt.
Mortaza takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Mortaza shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Diaz wants to improve his position but Mortaza is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mortaza is working away from the top position though.
Mortaza is looking to advance position but Diaz won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortaza is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Diaz!

Mortaza is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Diaz has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Diaz!
Mortaza is pulling down on Diaz's head. It's preventing any offense from Diaz, at least for the moment.
Mortaza keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortaza is trying to control the position but Diaz postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mortaza lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mortaza trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.

Mortaza has gone for a leg lock! Diaz slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mortaza's guard.

Diaz trying to control but Mortaza is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortaza has his hands on Diaz's head, controlling the position.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Mortaza keeps moving.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Mortaza is keeping the position.
Mortaza looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Diaz puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Mortaza has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diaz is working away from the top position though.
Mashrafe Mortaza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Mortaza wants to improve his position but Diaz is controlling well.
Diaz wants to take a breather but Mortaza is having none of it.
Mortaza is looking to improve his position.
Diaz trying to control the action but Mortaza is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diaz fails with the takedown.

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 Mashrafe Mortaza.
Well Diaz has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luiz Diaz!