PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Neal Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neal Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ward
vs
Diaz

175 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Neal Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Neal Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Lou da Vinci and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ward tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diaz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Diaz gets a double leg takedown into Ward's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Ward is looking for a triangle but Diaz pushes his legs off easily.
Diaz pushes down on Ward's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura but Ward is defending well.
Ward wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz seems to be looking for submissions.
Ward is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Diaz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Diaz's back!
Diaz trying to control the hands but Ward breaks the grip.
Diaz is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ward is staying active.
Diaz tries to roll but Ward sticks to his back.
Diaz staying busy and making it hard for Ward to control.

Ward looking to break Diaz's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Diaz remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ward will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Ward keeps control of the position as Diaz tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz staying busy and making it hard for Ward to control.

Diaz is in a bad position with Ward working for a choke. Diaz manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diaz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Diaz drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Diaz off! Diaz jumps back into Ward's guard.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.

Ward is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz won't allow Ward to sweep him here.

Diaz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Ward is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz is pushing down on Ward's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ward is fighting to maintain full guard but Diaz has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ward is looking to control Diaz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ward avoid being mounted?

Diaz seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.
Still in half guard, Diaz seems content to control.

That's four 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.
Ward has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diaz is working away from the top position though.
Diaz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ward does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.
Diaz not doing much here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diaz seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Neal Diaz will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ward paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ward tries to clinch but Diaz moves out of range.
Ward scores with a nice head shot.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Diaz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Ward is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.

Ward has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diaz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ward is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diaz is aware though and is defending well.
Diaz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Diaz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Diaz trying to control the action but Ward is working from the bottom.

Diaz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Diaz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ward. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Diaz goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ward rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Diaz's guard! Nice work there by Ward!
Ward wants to pass the guard but Diaz is keeping the position.

Diaz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ward gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick Ward off! Ward jumps back into Diaz's guard.

Diaz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ward gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Ward from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Diaz is looking for a triangle but Ward pushes his legs off easily.

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

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

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diaz wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Neal Diaz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Diaz throws a hook to the side of Ward's head but Ward sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ward fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Diaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Ward changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Diaz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Diaz drives through with a takedown into Ward's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Diaz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
Ward is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Diaz defends well.

Ward throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ward is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ward looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Diaz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ward is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Diaz, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ward trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.

Diaz is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Ward rolls with it to try and escape but Diaz cranks on the arm and Ward is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Neal Diaz!