PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Junichi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe comes to the cage accompanied by "One Thing Leads To Another" by The Fixx. Diaz has chosen Sepultura - Refuse/Resist as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Watanabe
vs
Diaz

170 cm
19
160 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

172 cm
24
165 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Random Name Supplements
Hell's Balls Fightwear

Superior Ki Supplements
Random Name Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Junichi Watanabe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rodrigo Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jab by Watanabe.
Diaz avoids the body shot from Watanabe.
Diaz is looking to clinch.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Watanabe works his way to full guard. Good work.
Diaz tries to free his leg and advance position but Watanabe is retaining full guard.
Watanabe is pulling down on Diaz's head. It's preventing any offense from Diaz, at least for the moment.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Watanabe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Watanabe scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Diaz misses with a straight right.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Junichi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Diaz.

Diaz has closed the distance and engaged Watanabe in a clinch.
Diaz tries to score a body lock takedown but Watanabe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Diaz gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Watanabe is looking to improve his position.
Watanabe manages to get to full guard.
Watanabe keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.

Watanabe manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Watanabe lands with a hook. Diaz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Watanabe. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
Watanabe misses with a hook. Diaz ducked under it nicely.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diaz looks gassed!
Watanabe throws a jab but it's blocked by Diaz.
Watanabe stuffs the takedown attempt from Diaz. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet.
Watanabe scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watanabe lands a with a good body shot.
A shot to de liver by Watanabe. Beautiful body shot.
Watanabe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diaz.
Watanabe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Diaz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diaz dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Diaz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diaz.
Diaz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Watanabe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Watanabe.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Watanabe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Diaz moves away from the strike by Watanabe.
Watanabe connects with a looping right hand.
Junichi Watanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Watanabe scores with a nice right hand.
Watanabe moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Diaz goes down! Can Watanabe finish him!?

Diaz is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Watanabe controls the pace.
Diaz is still in real trouble! Can Watanabe finish him?
Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.

Diaz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Watanabe is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Diaz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Watanabe's back instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diaz gets his hands free as Watanabe looks to control.
Watanabe tries to break free.
Diaz avoiding Watanabe 's attempts to control his hands.
Watanabe is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Diaz looking for the choke but no joy.
Watanabe manages to reverse the position and now he's in Diaz's guard. Nice work there by Watanabe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diaz walks into a jab.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz checks a leg kick.
Watanabe takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Rodrigo Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe shows good takedown defense.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Watanabe lands a nice hook to Diaz's body. Diaz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Watanabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Watanabe throws an overhand right that lands on Diaz's shoulder, as Diaz tries to avoid the shot.
Watanabe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Watanabe.
Diaz shoots in but Watanabe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Junichi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Diaz.
Watanabe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diaz.
Watanabe thuds a left hand into Diaz's body.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Diaz slips a jab and a cross from Watanabe.
Watanabe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Watanabe throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Watanabe wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A swing and a miss from Watanabe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Watanabe lands with a shot to the body.
Junichi Watanabe is winning the standup battle so far.
Watanabe lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watanabe misses with an uppercut.
Watanabe looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Watanabe.
Diaz dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but Watanabe sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diaz defending well as Watanabe loads up on a big left hand.
Watanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Watanabe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Watanabe takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
A combination from Watanabe does no damage.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Watanabe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diaz tries to clinch there but Watanabe circles away.
Watanabe misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Watanabe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watanabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Watanabe looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watanabe's waist but Watanabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Diaz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Watanabe.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Watanabe scores with a body shot.
Watanabe throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Watanabe.
Watanabe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Watanabe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Diaz backs up against the cage.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Watanabe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Watanabe connects with a single shot there.
Watanabe throws out a powerful jab.
Watanabe throws a shot from downtown. Diaz moves away and avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Watanabe but Watanabe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Diaz moves away from the strike by Watanabe.
Watanabe misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Watanabe lands with a nice combination. Diaz backs away looking to recover.
Watanabe drops Diaz with a left right combo! Watanabe follows him down to the ground into side control.
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
Watanabe trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.

Watanabe decides to stand back up. Watanabe steps back and let's Diaz get back to his feet.
Watanabe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watanabe's waist but Watanabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Diaz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Watanabe with a jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Watanabe throws and low kick but Diaz moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Diaz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Watanabe dips to his left and cracks Diaz with an uppercut!
Watanabe just misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Junichi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Diaz.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe misses with a straight left.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
Nice body punch from Watanabe.
Watanabe lands a jab.
Watanabe misses with a straight right.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe digs a good hook to Diaz's body.
Diaz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe shows good takedown defense.
Diaz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Watanabe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Watanabe.
Diaz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Watanabe scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A telegraphed right hand from Watanabe misses the target.
Diaz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe throws a body punch but Diaz moves out of range.
Watanabe loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Watanabe lands an overhand right.
Horrible takedown by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by Watanabe which made him look bad.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Watanabe.
Watanabe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Watanabe scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Watanabe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Watanabe swinging wilding here.
Watanabe looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe tries a low kick but Diaz avoids it.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Watanabe circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe just misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Watanabe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watanabe's waist but Watanabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Diaz has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Watanabe finds it's way round the side to connect with Diaz's head.

Diaz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Watanabe is trying to control but can't.
Watanabe is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz is looking to advance position but Watanabe won't allow it.
Diaz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Watanabe throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.
Watanabe throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.
Watanabe looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
Watanabe walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Diaz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Watanabe tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Watanabe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Watanabe as he jumps to the side.
Diaz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Diaz blocks a jab.
Diaz tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Watanabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Junichi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Diaz.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe lands a jab-cross combination.

Diaz decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Watanabe keeping hold of Diaz's head, controlling as best he can.
Watanabe regains full guard. Nicely done.

Watanabe is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Watanabe gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Diaz.

Watanabe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Watanabe motions for Diaz to come forward. Watanabe throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Diaz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Watanabe throws a hook but Diaz blocks it.
Watanabe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Diaz at a distance.
Watanabe misses with a body shot.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe throws a lazy right hand but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Watanabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Watanabe but Watanabe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Watanabe misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Watanabe paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Diaz rushes Watanabe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Watanabe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diaz.
Watanabe misses with a series of wild punches.
Watanabe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Watanabe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watanabe takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Watanabe misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Watanabe misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Watanabe swivels and escapes.
Watanabe thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Watanabe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Watanabe swinging wilding here.
Watanabe throws a low kick but Diaz avoids it.
Watanabe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Diaz throws a looping overhand right but Watanabe ducks down to avoid it.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Watanabe tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Watanabe to the ground. Watanabe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Watanabe throws a combination. Diaz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe had his way with Rodrigo Diaz in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Watanabe throws an overhand right that lands on Diaz's shoulder, as Diaz tries to avoid the shot.
Diaz shoots in but Watanabe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice defenses there by Diaz.
Watanabe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Watanabe scores with a jab. Diaz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Watanabe misses with a straight right.
Watanabe lands a with a good body shot.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Watanabe lands a right hook to the body.
Diaz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Watanabe.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Diaz avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Watanabe. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
Diaz defending well as Watanabe loads up on a big left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Watanabe as Diaz shoots in.
Junichi Watanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Diaz.
Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Watanabe.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz slips under a jab from Watanabe.
Diaz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Watanabe throws a shot from downtown. Diaz moves away and avoids it.
Diaz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Watanabe.

Watanabe tries to keep at a distance but Diaz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Diaz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Watanabe prevents it.

Watanabe breaks the clinch.
Watanabe misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe keeps the fight on the outside.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Watanabe as he jumps to the side.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Watanabe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Watanabe scores with a jab. Diaz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Diaz moves out of range as Watanabe throws a body kick.
Watanabe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Watanabe lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
No joy there for Watanabe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watanabe thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice takedown defense from Watanabe. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
Watanabe connects with a jab.
Watanabe connects with a single shot there.
Watanabe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Watanabe bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Watanabe looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Watanabe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Watanabe.
Watanabe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Watanabe misses with a looping right.
Watanabe lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watanabe's waist but Watanabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Watanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Watanabe stuns Diaz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Watanabe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Diaz slips a jab from Watanabe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a shot from downtown. Diaz moves away and avoids it.
Watanabe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Watanabe works the jab nicely.
Watanabe slips under a jab.
Watanabe lands a jab to the head.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodrigo Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Watanabe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Watanabe looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Watanabe just misses with a punch to the body.
Watanabe misses with a straight right.
Junichi Watanabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Watanabe scores with a one two! Diaz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Diaz avoids the body shot from Watanabe.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Watanabe moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junichi Watanabe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Watanabe, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 50:44
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:44
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junichi Watanabe!
Junichi Watanabe is the new lightweight champion!