PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noel Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bardo Gregorio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gregorio has chosen Disturbed- Down with the Sickness as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Diaz
vs
Gregorio

177 cm
27
150 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

172 cm
19
158 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noel Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bardo Gregorio!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Diaz misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gregorio darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Gregorio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gregorio lands a jab to Diaz's midsection.
Gregorio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Gregorio.
Diaz misses with a straight left.
A jab from Diaz finds it's way through Gregorio's defenses.
Diaz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gregorio.

Gregorio closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gregorio lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Diaz isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gregorio stacks Diaz on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gregorio!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gregorio in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregorio working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Gregorio throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Gregorio scores with punches from side control.

Gregorio looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ground and pound from Gregorio seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Diaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Diaz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gregorio.
Diaz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gregorio on the ground.
Gregorio throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gregorio throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gregorio throws an elbow but Diaz slips to the side and avoids it well.

Gregorio is trying to get an arm triangle but Diaz is defending well.
Gregorio controlling from side mount.
Gregorio working the ground and pound but Diaz is defending the strikes.
Gregorio taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregorio throws an elbow but Diaz slips to the side and avoids it well.
Diaz is trying to improve his position.

Gregorio tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gregorio has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
A lull in the action here as Gregorio stalls from top position.
Gregorio throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gregorio working the ground and pound but Diaz is defending the strikes.
Gregorio throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Gregorio happy to just control the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gregorio is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Diaz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gregorio misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Gregorio landing strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gregorio has an Americana. Diaz didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Gregorio is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Gregorio hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Bardo Gregorio!
Our winner, Bardo Gregorio, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.