PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Danilo Leblanc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Leblanc
vs
Diaz

179 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

186 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Danilo Leblanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nate Diaz!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diaz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Leblanc looking to score a takedown here. Diaz is defending well but Leblanc drives through and ends up in Diaz's guard.
Diaz is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Leblanc dives into side control.

Leblanc tries to score with some ground and pound. Diaz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Leblanc lands a few punches from side control.
A lull in the action here as Leblanc stalls from top position.
Leblanc's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leblanc is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Diaz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Leblanc happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Leblanc wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leblanc taking a breather here.

Leblanc has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Leblanc with that takedown attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Diaz - that will leave a mark!
Leblanc gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leblanc throws a sloppy head kick
and Diaz counters with a series of strikes. Leblanc will be more careful next time no doubt.
Diaz looks winded!
Diaz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Leblanc dives in and grabs Diaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes down on Leblanc's head and hops out.
Leblanc shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Leblanc gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Leblanc. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.
Diaz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.
Diaz lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leblanc shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.
Diaz raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leblanc avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leblanc rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Leblanc takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Leblanc misses with a wild combination.
Diaz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Diaz bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz connects with a body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Diaz - that will leave a mark!
Diaz throws a shot to the body.
Leblanc fails to land the takedown.
A countering left hand to the body from Diaz misses.
Nate Diaz seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Diaz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Diaz lands a jab to the head.
Leblanc fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Leblanc misses with a two punch combination.
Diaz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Leblanc shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Leblanc. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Leblanc's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a head kick that Leblanc semi-blocks.
Diaz throws the kick towards the body but Leblanc avoids it.
Leblanc dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Diaz bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Diaz looks for the body kick but Leblanc saw that one coming.
Diaz looks to land a combination. Leblanc sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nate Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leblanc shoots for a double leg takedown but Diaz sprawls well. He's pushed Leblanc's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leblanc misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Leblanc darts in and clinches Diaz up against the cage.

Leblanc's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz connects with a leg kick. Leblanc looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Danga de danga de dang - Diaz scores with a four punch combination!
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
Diaz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Leblanc tries for a takedown but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Leblanc misses with a takedown attempt - Diaz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Leblanc looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leblanc seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Leblanc.

Leblanc is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Diaz sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Leblanc clinches.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but Leblanc has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diaz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Leblanc pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Leblanc pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Diaz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Diaz pushes Leblanc away with a front kick.
Diaz throws a head kick that half lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Leblanc's head.
Leblanc blocks a head kick by Diaz.
Leblanc tries a head kick but it misses.
Leblanc moves away from the strike by Diaz.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leblanc shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diaz but Diaz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Leblanc.
A nice combination there by Diaz.
Diaz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Leblanc tries to counter by clinching up but Diaz breaks away and moves out of range.
Leblanc shoots in but Diaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Diaz throws a big counter head kick but Leblanc avoids it with no problem.
Leblanc pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diaz scores with a head kick. Leblanc tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leblanc.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Leblanc. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a predictable looking body shot
and Leblanc counters with a one-two to the body.
Leblanc throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.

Leblanc bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Diaz tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz wants to get back to his feet.
Leblanc keeps control of the position easily here as Diaz tries to buck him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leblanc is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Diaz has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Diaz showing good submission defense here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc controlling the position well here. Diaz rolled but Leblanc kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Leblanc lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

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 Danilo Leblanc.
I think Diaz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Diaz!
Nate Diaz seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.