PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mat Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Knuckles OToole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knuckles OToole has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Diaz
vs
OToole

180 cm
22
169 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
29
166 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mat Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Knuckles OToole!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Roberts and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? OToole is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, OToole circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice side step and OToole releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A swing and a miss from OToole.
Diaz tries for a takedown but OToole circles away easily
and OToole counters with a lovely straight right hand!
OToole goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OToole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Diaz tries to counter by clinching up but OToole breaks away and moves out of range.
Diaz doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting OToole counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mat Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but OToole sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Diaz is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in OToole's half guard.

Diaz wants to work for an arm triangle but OToole is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
OToole trying to control from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if OToole can do anything to dispel that myth.
OToole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Diaz.
Diaz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz thows a huge punch but OToole dodges it nicely.
We've been hearing good reports from Diaz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Diaz landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
OToole is trying to stand back up but Diaz is controlling him
OToole on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but OToole keeps working.
Diaz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Diaz winds up and cracks OToole with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz lands with a punch from half guard.
Diaz scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Diaz.
Diaz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Diaz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Diaz.
Diaz scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Diaz is working for a kimura but OToole is defending it quite comfortably.
Diaz throwing shots but OToole is blocking nicely.
OToole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Diaz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Diaz connects with a nice short shot to OToole's temple.

It looks like Knuckles OToole has been cut.
Ground and pound from Diaz.
Diaz is pressing down on OToole's thigh, looking to free his foot. OToole is holding on for now.
Diaz thows a huge punch but OToole dodges it nicely.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but OToole is defending well.
Diaz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Diaz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
OToole really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diaz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Diaz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz slips a nice elbow through OToole's hands, connecting with OToole's forehead.
Nice strikes from Diaz there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Diaz is working for a kimura but OToole is defending it quite comfortably.
Diaz slips a nice elbow through OToole's hands, connecting with OToole's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mat Diaz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Knuckles OToole's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Diaz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Diaz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
OToole has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Mat Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling OToole to counter with a crisp jab.
Diaz with a poor takedown
and OToole counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
OToole is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mat Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OToole looks for the body kick but Diaz saw that one coming.
Horrible takedown attempt by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by OToole, which made it look bad.
OToole steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Diaz.
A head kick misses from OToole.
Knuckles OToole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts OToole as he jumps to the side.
OToole wants to counter the offense by Diaz and move into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
OToole throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Diaz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from OToole. That one must have hurt.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
OToole lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Knuckles OToole seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Diaz dives in for a single leg takedown but OToole sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
OToole tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz shoots in but OToole avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but OToole circles away.
OToole is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

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

Diaz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Diaz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Diaz working over OToole with some ground and pound. OToole looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Diaz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Diaz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diaz stops OToole from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Knuckles OToole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Knuckles OToole's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

OToole swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz fails to land the takedown.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz sets himself, and OToole steps forward looking for the clinch! Diaz avoids it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

OToole tries to sprawl but Diaz drives through with a takedown into half guard.
OToole is trying to maintain the position but Diaz is very close to passing his half guard.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz throwing shots but OToole is blocking nicely.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that OToole can do to turn this around?
OToole tries to roll over but Diaz keeps him under control.

Diaz wants to work for an arm triangle but OToole is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Diaz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Diaz prevents OToole from improving his position.
Diaz slips a nice elbow through OToole's hands, connecting with OToole's forehead.
OToole on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
OToole taking some punishment here, with Diaz in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Diaz lands a nice short elbow.
OToole blocking the ground and pound attempt from Diaz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed OToole's head.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Diaz working the head and body with strikes.
Diaz lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Diaz lands a nice short elbow.

OToole is rocked!
OToole wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
OToole is still in real trouble! Can Diaz finish him?
OToole on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Diaz.
OToole seems to have recovered his senses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Diaz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Diaz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, OToole has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Diaz lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz winds up and cracks OToole with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Diaz drops an elbow to the side of OToole's head.

Diaz has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can OToole defend it? Diaz steps over the head and cranks it - OToole is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Diaz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mat Diaz!
In defeat, Knuckles OToole stepped up to the mic, saying 'What happened? I thought I was winning :('.