PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bartel Diakite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jese Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diakite comes to the cage accompanied by Diamonds. Bartel Diakite has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diakite
vs
Rodriguez

186 cm
21
176 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

184 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bartel Diakite!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jese Rodriguez !
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diakite manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination. Diakite sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Diakite dives in and grabs Rodriguez 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes down on Diakite's head and hops out.
Rodriguez swinging wildly here.
Diakite fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodriguez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Diakite.
Diakite feinted with a counter takedown.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Diakite moves out of range easily.
Diakite looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bartel Diakite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from Rodriguez does no damage.
Diakite tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rodriguez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Diakite somewhat.

Diakite shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rodriguez is trying to defend but Diakite finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diakite wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.
Rodriguez wants to control but Diakite is keeping busy.
Rodriguez controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Diakite wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodriguez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Diakite wants to free his trapped foot but Rodriguez is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Diakite is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Diakite is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Rodriguez as he works his way to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diakite trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Diakite isn't so interested in that idea.
Diakite trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Diakite passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Diakite throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to escape but Diakite is in control.
Rodriguez wants to control but Diakite postures up.

Diakite working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rodriguez is not content to let Diakite control the position.

Diakite goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rodriguez has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Diakite but great work by Rodriguez .
Diakite looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Diakite sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Diakite is controlling his arm.
Diakite wants to control but Rodriguez postures up.

Rodriguez is trying to get an arm triangle but Diakite is defending well.
Diakite is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Diakite gets full guard.

Diakite had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodriguez defends it easily.

Diakite is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodriguez is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diakite is looking for a triangle but Rodriguez pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Diakite shoots for a double leg takedown but Rodriguez sprawls well. He's pushed Diakite's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodriguez misses with a right hand

and Diakite counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rodriguez won't be happy with that.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodriguez is not content to let Diakite control the position.
Rodriguez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rodriguez is trying to control the action in half guard but Diakite is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Diakite is trying to maintain the position but Rodriguez is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez controlling the action here.
Rodriguez tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Diakite.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diakite wants to get back to full guard.
Diakite taking some punishment here, with Rodriguez in his half guard.
Diakite is looking to improve his position.
Rodriguez seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Rodriguez is trying to control. Diakite wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Diakite looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
My spies in Animal House inform me that Rodriguez has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Diakite gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diakite is on top in guard.

Diakite pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Diakite from controlling successfully.
Diakite trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diakite sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rodriguez 's guard.
Diakite works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diakite is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rodriguez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Diakite tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Diakite looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Diakite wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rodriguez , who protects the arm well.

Diakite is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rodriguez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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.
Diakite is trying to move to mount but Rodriguez reverses beautifully and ends up in Diakite's guard.
Diakite looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez wants to pass the guard but Diakite is keeping the position.
Diakite looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez wanted to stand there but Diakite had control of the position.

Rodriguez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bartel Diakite will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rodriguez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Rodriguez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Rodriguez cracks Diakite with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rodriguez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diakite.
Bartel Diakite is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diakite showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodriguez .
Diakite tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rodriguez swivels and escapes.

Diakite gets a double leg takedown into Rodriguez 's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diakite pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Diakite is controlling the position.
Diakite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet but Diakite is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Diakite stands and throws Rodriguez 's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Diakite tries to advance to mount but Rodriguez denies him.
Rodriguez is not content to let Diakite control the position.
Diakite tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rodriguez 's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Diakite tries for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending well.
Diakite prevents Rodriguez from escaping the position.

Diakite wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rodriguez , who protects the arm well.

Diakite goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rodriguez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Diakite's guard! Nice work there by Rodriguez !
Rodriguez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diakite is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodriguez is aware though and is defending well.

Rodriguez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Diakite has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rodriguez has managed to get both his arms back between Diakite's legs - danger averted.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Diakite won't let him.
Diakite wants to stand and escape but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diakite swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Diakite had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodriguez defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

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

Diakite looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Diakite is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Diakite decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez is staying active underneath Diakite, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jese Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rodriguez 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jese Rodriguez !