PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Orlando Diggs (ranked 7 p4p, 1 weight class) and Ramon Gracie (ranked 22 p4p, 5 weight class). Diggs comes to the cage accompanied by KING of the FALL. Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jiu Jitsu: Vai Finaliza!. 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.

Diggs
vs
Gracie

184 cm
31
174 lbs
32 - 12 - 0

180 cm
32
180 lbs
29 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

Freebok (85% Laundry)
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orlando Diggs!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Ramon Gracie!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Phil Schofield and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diggs tries to land a front kick but Gracie steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Gracie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Diggs can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Diggs lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gracie.
Gracie stalls.
I was talking to Diggs's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Diggs throws an elbow but it misses.
Diggs lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gracie or not.
Diggs pushes Gracie back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Diggs lands a body shot.
Diggs struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
Gracie trying to control the position but instead, Diggs has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gracie into the cage.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diggs lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracie is pushing Diggs up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Ramon Gracie has been cut.
Diggs lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Diggs.
Diggs blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gracie is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Diggs blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Gracie leaning against his opponent.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gracie.
Diggs misses with the head strike.
Gracie tries to stall but Diggs uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Diggs's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diggs throws a body kick that misses.
Diggs throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie checks a leg kick nicely.
Gracie tries to land a front kick but Diggs steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little feinted left hand from Diggs on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
Diggs throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Orlando Diggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ramon Gracie.
Diggs scores with a decent looking hook.
Diggs looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Diggs's corner calls for a 1-2. Diggs obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Orlando Diggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Diggs swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gracie.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Diggs.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diggs.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
A jab from Diggs misses.
Diggs throws a nice outside leg kick.
Diggs will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Diggs ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Diggs checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Diggs throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Diggs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diggs sets himself, and Gracie steps forward looking for the clinch! Diggs avoids it this time.
Diggs lands a slapping body shot.
Gracie fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Diggs is out of range.
Diggs throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diggs does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Diggs keeps it at a distance.
A big left from Diggs misses.
Diggs digs a good hook to Gracie's body.
A big right from Diggs misses.
Diggs scores with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Diggs as he connects with a hook.
Diggs tries a head kick but it misses.
Diggs swings widly with a right hand

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Diggs!

Diggs bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Diggs looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Diggs pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Diggs thuds a left hand into Gracie's body.
Diggs throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diggs uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a shot to the body.
Diggs has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orlando Diggs dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ramon Gracie's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diggs throws a leg kick

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Diggs didn't expect that.
Diggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Diggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diggs is keeping the position for now.
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gracie postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diggs is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Diggs is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs throws a lazy uppercut

and Gracie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gracie's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Diggs keeps moving.
Gracie passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Diggs has his hands clasped together around Gracie's back. He's all about the action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gracie lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggs is staying active underneath Gracie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Diggs is trying to get back to full guard.
Diggs is not content to let Gracie control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie prevents Diggs from improving his position.
Gracie has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gracie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Diggs looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ramon Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie breaks from Diggs's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gracie lands a heavy elbow.
Gracie looking to control but Diggs is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie landing shots from mount.
The referee warns Diggs that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gracie throwing strikes but Diggs recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Diggs is not content to let Gracie control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is just content to waste time from the top position. Diggs takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Diggs has Gracie pulled in close to control his posture.
Gracie trying to control but Diggs is working from the bottom.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diggs is pulling down on Gracie's head to control his posture.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramon Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ramon Gracie's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Diggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diggs takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Diggs with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diggs throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Nice body punch from Diggs.
A big left from Diggs misses.

Gracie has managed to clinch.
A right hand to the body from Diggs.
With the fighters up against the cage, Diggs throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Diggs gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
Gracie pushes Diggs back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gracie has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Diggs seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Gracie can turn it around.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Diggs creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diggs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diggs scores with a leg kick.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Diggs moved out of range nicely.
Gracie checks a leg kick nicely.
Diggs throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Diggs defends it well.
Diggs cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diggs.
Gracie throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
It looked like Diggs wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Diggs throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
Diggs circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie throws out a leg kick but Diggs moves out of range and Gracie only half commits.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggs scores with a jab to the jaw.
Diggs throws a body kick that misses

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Diggs!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Diggs, who protects the arm well.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Diggs manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Gracie.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Diggs is keeping the position.
Gracie passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs regains half guard there - taking advantage of Gracie's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!
Diggs sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diggs keeps working.
Gracie throwing shots but Diggs is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diggs with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diggs defending well though.
Diggs is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Gracie is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Diggs is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Orlando Diggs did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Ramon Gracie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Diggs goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Diggs throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Diggs.
Diggs throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Diggs's guard.
Gracie trying to control but Diggs is working from the bottom.
Diggs keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie is fighting to break Diggs's control of his arms but Diggs is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Diggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Diggs holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gracie listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Diggs misses with an uppercut.
Diggs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Diggs is avoiding it.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diggs.
Diggs misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggs misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Diggs.
Diggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diggs throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Diggs lands with a nice body punch.
Gracie throws a push kick but Diggs slaps the foot to one side.
Diggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diggs throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Diggs connects with a body shot that sends Gracie's belly button to the back.
Diggs keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diggs swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A telegraphed right hand from Diggs misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diggs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Diggs crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gracie - the referee stops the clock and Diggs gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gracie. Diggs manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gracie thumps Diggs with a low kick.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Diggs avoids it easily.
Diggs misses with a body kick.
Diggs throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Diggs scores with a nice head shot.
Gracie moves out of range as Diggs strikes.
Diggs takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Diggs lands with a cross.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Diggs sprawls well.
Diggs misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggs thows a leg kick but Gracie checks it

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diggs working a defensive guard here.

Diggs has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gracie is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Diggs.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Diggs sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Gracie tries for a kimura but Diggs is defending well.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Diggs is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Orlando Diggs will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ramon Gracie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Diggs misses with a hook.
Gracie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Diggs is out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gracie checks a leg kick.
Diggs misses with a leg kick.
Diggs lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Diggs lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diggs moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Diggs misses with a hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gracie, right into the meat.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diggs throws out a powerful jab.
Diggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Diggs scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Diggs shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gracie is looking to chop away at Diggs's legs.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Diggs swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diggs throws a right hand that misses

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.
Diggs misses with the head strike.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Diggs fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Diggs scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diggs tries to keep at a distance but Gracie has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gracie stalling the fight.

Diggs manages to break the clinch.
Diggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diggs takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Diggs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Diggs.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Diggs throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Diggs lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Gracie moves into the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Diggs scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ramon Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diggs misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Diggs avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the cage.
Diggs can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Gracie misses with a body punch.
Diggs takes a shot to the head.
Gracie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Diggs working aggressively here.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Diggs avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the cage.
Diggs looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diggs tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Diggs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diggs looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
Gracie wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggs throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Diggs throws a leg kick that is checked

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Gracie working the head and body with strikes.
Diggs defending against the ground and pound.
Gracie working away.

Gracie goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Diggs rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Gracie's guard! Nice work there by Diggs!
Diggs is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Diggs defends well.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Diggs from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Orlando Diggs showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Diggs has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:47
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Orlando Diggs!
Orlando Diggs retains his welterweight title!
After winning the bout, Orlando Diggs thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.