PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Diaz
vs
Smith

183 cm
25
220 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
218 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Mystic Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edward Smith!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith looks for the body kick but Diaz saw that one coming.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Diaz in a clinch.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Diaz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diaz landing knees to the body.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Diaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Smith tries to clinch but Diaz moves away
and Diaz counters with a solid body kick.
Smith has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Diaz.
Nice straight punches there by Diaz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Diaz.
Diaz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Edward Smith has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz misses the shot to the body.
Diaz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diaz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Diaz back into the cage.
Diaz lands a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Diaz.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.
Smith takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Diaz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith throws a right hand that misses
and Diaz counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smith's knee momentarily.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Diaz circles away.
Smith on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Diaz lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz throws a head kick that Smith semi-blocks.
Diaz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Edward Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Diaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diaz went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Smith looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Diaz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Diaz throws a big counter combination but Smith scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Smith drives through and clinches with Diaz against the cage.
Diaz lands a body shot in the clinch.
Smith is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Smith taking a breather.
Diaz prevents a body shot from Smith.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Diaz tries to land knees in the clinch but Smith avoids the damage to the body.
Diaz has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Diaz unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith looks to clinch
and Diaz counters with a low kick, right behind Smith 's knee.
Nice body kick from Diaz.

Smith gets tackled into the cage by Diaz. Diaz maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Diaz.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Diaz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Diaz has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Diaz lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Diaz.
Diaz working Smith over with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Diaz lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Diaz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Edward Smith's cut.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Diaz moves into the clinch.
Smith has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Diaz.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Diaz has double underhooks.
Diaz has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith leaning against his opponent.
Diaz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Diaz lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith working aggressively here.
Smith just leaning against Diaz, taking a breather.
Smith tries to work over Diaz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
A bit of stalling here from Diaz.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smith letting Diaz take a breather here.
Diaz lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz blocks an elbow strike from Smith.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith tries to circle away but Diaz has him pinned against the cage.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Diaz.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith misses with the combination.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It appears Diaz was looking to counter with a kick there.
Smith takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.
Diaz seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith thuds a left hand into Diaz's body.
Smith doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Diaz connects with a leg kick. Smith looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Smith with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Diaz to score with a decent uppercut.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Diaz back into the cage.
Diaz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz lands a body punch.
Diaz prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Diaz prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
Diaz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
Smith tries to circle away but Diaz has him pinned against the cage.
Diaz lands a knee to the head.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diaz clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Diaz dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Edward Smith's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diaz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Diaz lands a knee to the body.
Diaz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Diaz has double underhooks.
Diaz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Diaz.
Diaz lands a knee to the body.
Diaz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith prevents a body shot from Diaz.
Diaz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
James Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little jabbing left from Smith on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smith lands a lovely overhand right.

Diaz has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Diaz has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Diaz presses Smith against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diaz crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lets loose with a powerful body kick. Smith will feel that in the morning.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith lands an overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz lands with a kick to the ribs.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diaz scores with a head kick.

That has opened up Edward Smith's cut even more.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Diaz moves into the clinch.
James Diaz has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling the position.
Diaz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Diaz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Diaz scores a nice knee to the body.
Smith tries a body shot but Diaz blocks it.
A body shot lands from Diaz.
Diaz lands a body shot in the clinch.

Diaz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
As Smith tries to get set, Diaz tries to push him back and clinch up but Smith manages to avoid the attempt.
Smith throws a left and a right that both miss

and Diaz moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz working Smith over with knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Smith wants to stall.
Diaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Diaz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Diaz connects with a knee to the head.
Diaz keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Diaz clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Edward Smith's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diaz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Diaz landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Smith tries to circle away but Diaz has him pinned against the cage.
Diaz prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz landing knees to the body.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
Smith gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Knees to the body from Diaz.
Smith is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz working Smith over with knees to the body.
Diaz cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Diaz, against the cage.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diaz.

Diaz has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Diaz lands a nice elbow.
Diaz's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Diaz has the dominant position.
Diaz landing knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz circles away from the clinch attempt.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Diaz tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Diaz.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Diaz has the dominant position.
Smith avoiding damage as Diaz throws knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Smith wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Diaz landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Smith is trying to break free.
Diaz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Diaz leaning his opponent against the cage.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz working Smith over with knees to the body.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Diaz controls his hands.
Diaz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diaz obliges.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith stalling the fight.
Diaz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Diaz had his way with Edward Smith in that round.
The cut man is working on Edward Smith's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Diaz moves into the clinch.
Diaz connects with a knee to the head.
Diaz has Smith pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Diaz trying to land knees to the body.
Diaz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Diaz misses with a knee strike.
Smith tries to break free but Diaz pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Diaz has double underhooks.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Smith is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diaz has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Diaz lands an elbow that stopped Smith in his tracks for a moment.
Diaz lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Diaz trying to land knees to the body.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Diaz prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Diaz landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Smith is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Diaz.
Diaz landing knees to the head.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.

The cut above Edward Smith's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Diaz landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Diaz is leaning against Smith and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A knee to the head by Diaz.

Edward Smith's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees to the body from Diaz.
Diaz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Diaz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Diaz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to clinch up but Diaz keeps it at a distance.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Diaz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
Diaz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
James Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diaz obliges.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Diaz.
Diaz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Diaz lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Edward Smith's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). James Diaz!
James Diaz is the new light heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking James Diaz thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.