PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Bianconi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bartel Diakite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diakite has chosen Diamonds 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.

Bianconi
vs
Diakite

182 cm
21
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
161 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fabio Bianconi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bartel Diakite!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bianconi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diakite.
Bianconi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Diakite darts in looking for a takedown but Bianconi gets double underhooks and turns Diakite into the cage.
Diakite looks for a takedown but Bianconi sprawls well.
Fabio Bianconi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartel Diakite.
Diakite has a takedown stuffed.
Diakite fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi avoids it really well and circles away.
Bianconi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Diakite takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diakite shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bianconi counters by moving into the clinch.
Diakite is trying to pull guard but Bianconi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diakite tries to pull guard but Bianconi won't allow it.
Bianconi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Diakite is trying to drag Bianconi to the mat but Bianconi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bianconi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bianconi missing with knees to the body.
Bianconi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Diakite avoids it.
Bianconi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bianconi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bianconi lands an elbow inside that Diakite shrugs off.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bianconi throws an elbow but misses.
Bianconi working Diakite over with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bianconi throws an elbow that misses.
Bianconi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bianconi tries a body shot but Diakite blocks it.
Bianconi tries to throw a body punch but Diakite avoids it by throwing Bianconi back against the cage.
Bianconi working Diakite over with knees to the body.
Bianconi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nice elbow from Bianconi.
Diakite blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bianconi lands with a left to the head.
Bianconi pushes off an throws an elbow but Diakite leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Diakite takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Bartel Diakite has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bianconi scores with a shot to the side of Diakite's head.
Bianconi tries to land knees in the clinch but Diakite avoids the damage to the body.
Diakite tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bianconi smiles and moves away.
Bartel Diakite seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diakite fails with a takedown attempt.

Diakite closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bianconi to the mat! Bianconi manages to get full guard.
Diakite is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bianconi wants to sweep here but Diakite controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bianconi keeping full guard, as Diakite tries to pass.
Bianconi is controlling Diakite's posture.
Bianconi keeping full guard, as Diakite tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diakite slips nicely into half guard.
Bianconi tries to roll over but Diakite keeps him under control.
Diakite frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Diakite moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Bianconi has worked his arm free - good work by Bianconi!
Diakite tries to move into full mount but can't pass Bianconi's legs.
Bianconi is looking to regain half guard here but Diakite keeps moving and retains side control.

Diakite wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bianconi, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Bianconi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bartel Diakite's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Diakite.
Diakite fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi avoids it really well and circles away.
Diakite fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi avoids it really well and circles away.
Fabio Bianconi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartel Diakite.
Diakite gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Bianconi counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diakite shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi shows good takedown defense.
Bianconi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bianconi slaps away a takedown attempt from Diakite, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bianconi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Diakite just manages to avoid it.
Bianconi misses with a low kick.
Diakite feints the counter takedown.
Diakite shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bianconi defends it nicely.
Bianconi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bianconi gets caught napping as Diakite dives in and scores a takedown. Bianconi manages to retain guard.
Bianconi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diakite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bianconi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bianconi has Diakite pulled in close to control his posture.
Diakite won't allow Bianconi to sweep him here.
Bianconi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Diakite is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bianconi trying to control the action but Diakite is working from the bottom.
Bartel Diakite has got the better of the ground game so far.
Diakite is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bianconi wants to pass the guard but Diakite is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bianconi controlling the action here.
Bianconi trying to control from half guard but Diakite is working away.
Diakite is looking to improve his position.
Bianconi wants to take a breather but Diakite is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bianconi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Diakite shoots for a double leg takedown but Bianconi sprawls well. He's pushed Diakite's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bianconi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Diakite decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bianconi desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Diakite passes to full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diakite prevents Bianconi from getting the reversal.
Bianconi tries to hold on but Diakite pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Bianconi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bartel Diakite's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Bianconi slaps away a takedown attempt from Diakite, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bianconi throws a lazy right hand but Diakite sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Diakite tries for a takedown but Bianconi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diakite shoots in looking for a takedown but Bianconi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diakite's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fabio Bianconi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartel Diakite.
Diakite closes the distance and clinches up with Bianconi, looking for a takedown. Diakite pushes Bianconi against the cage but Bianconi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diakite moves out of range of the leg kick from Bianconi.
Bianconi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bianconi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diakite.
A little feinted left hand from Bianconi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diakite looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bianconi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Diakite just manages to avoid it.
Diakite shoots in for a double leg but Bianconi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bianconi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Diakite dives in for a single leg takedown but Bianconi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bianconi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diakite with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bianconi counters with an outside leg kick.
Diakite takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diakite shoots in for a double leg but Bianconi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice sprawl there from Bianconi as Diakite shoots in.
Diakite takes one on the button.
Bianconi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diakite fails with the takedown
and Bianconi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Diakite's knee momentarily.
Bianconi connects with an inside leg kick.
Fabio Bianconi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bianconi stuffs the takedown.
Bianconi connects with a leg kick. Diakite looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Diakite is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bianconi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diakite on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bianconi. Bianconi obviously looking to wear him down.
Bianconi connects with an inside leg kick.
You can see that Diakite has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Bianconi throws a chopping leg kick but Diakite manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bianconi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diakite moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bianconi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diakite checks the leg kick.
Diakite shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Bianconi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bianconi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bianconi wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Diakite.
Bianconi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diakite can do to turn this around?
Bianconi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diakite misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bianconi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bartel Diakite is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bianconi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bianconi wants it to stay on the feet.
Fabio Bianconi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diakite changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bianconi tries to avoid it but Diakite manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bianconi to the ground. Bianconi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diakite fails with the takedown
and Bianconi counters with a stiff right hand.
Diakite fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bianconi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Diakite tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bianconi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Diakite somewhat.
An inside leg kick lands from Bianconi.
Diakite with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bianconi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Diakite looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bianconi is fending him off so far but Diakite persists. Nope, Bianconi circles away and we're back to standing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bianconi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diakite has a takedown stuffed.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bianconi. That's going to slow Diakite down.
Diakite shoots for a double leg takedown but Bianconi sprawls well. He's pushed Diakite's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bianconi throws a big counter combination but Diakite scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bianconi slaps away a takedown attempt from Diakite, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Diakite looks for a takedown but Bianconi sprawls well.
Bianconi throws a body punch but Diakite moves out of range.
Diakite shoots in for a takedown but Bianconi shows good takedown defense.
Bianconi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bianconi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diakite manages to avoid it.
Bartel Diakite has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diakite shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bianconi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabio Bianconi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bianconi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabio Bianconi!