PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Rydeland (ranked 1055 p4p, 126 weight class) and Kamerun Diaz (ranked 1979 p4p, 227 weight class). Rydeland comes to the cage accompanied by Robbery - Not sneak attack. Diaz has chosen Beast in Black - Ghost in the Rain as his entrance music. Kamerun Diaz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rydeland
vs
Diaz

185 cm
30
185 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

185 cm
32
175 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Rydeland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kamerun Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rydeland misses the shot to the body.
Diaz throws a looping overhand right but Rydeland ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Rydeland was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diaz finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rydeland throwing a counter right hand but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Diaz tried to score with a low kick but Rydeland checks it.
Diaz gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rydeland connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Rydeland is out of range.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diaz throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nice defenses there by Rydeland.
It looked like Rydeland wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Diaz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Diaz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz scores with a spinning back kick!
Rydeland has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gentlemans Offence and Defense System in the buildup to the fight.
Diaz throws an off balance right hand
and Rydeland makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A solid body kick from Diaz.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz misses with an uppercut. Rydeland saw that one coming.
Diaz throws a leg kick
letting Rydeland counter with a right hand.
Diaz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rydeland.
A head kick by Diaz misses
and Rydeland cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Diaz fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rydeland on the side of the head.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Rydeland saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Diaz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Rydeland.
Diaz misses with a body kick.
Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rydeland.
Rydeland takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Diaz - that will leave a mark!
Rydeland bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz throws a head kick that half lands.
Rydeland takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Good leg kick by Diaz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Diaz scoring well with a low kick there.
Diaz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rydeland.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses
and Rydeland counters with a stiff right hand.
Kamerun Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rydeland uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diaz.
Diaz moves out of range as Rydeland strikes.
Diaz throws a lazy uppercut
and Rydeland counters with a stiff right hand.
Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rydeland.
Diaz throws a leg kick
and Rydeland counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rydeland counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Rydeland steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good work by Rydeland as he checks the leg kick.
Rydeland throws a combination. Diaz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A cross from Rydeland lands.
Rydeland checks a leg kick.
A quick step to the side and Rydeland tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz is looking to slow Rydeland down with leg kicks.
Rydeland digs a good hook to Diaz's body.
Rydeland misses with a straight right.
Diaz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Diaz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rydeland ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rydeland throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a jab when Rydeland was well out of range.
Diaz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Diaz wants to slow Rydeland down by chopping away at his legs.
Rydeland checks the leg kick.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rydeland is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Diaz moves out of range as Rydeland strikes.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Rydeland swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice shot by Rydeland.
Diaz misses with a right hand
and Rydeland counters with a nice uppercut.
Diaz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rydeland on the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Rydeland.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A low kick from Diaz misses
and Rydeland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diaz throws a leg kick

and Rydeland counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rydeland tries a knee to the head but Diaz blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Diaz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Rydeland will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rydeland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Good work by Rydeland as he checks the leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Rydeland does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diaz lands with a nice body kick.
Rydeland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Rydeland.
Diaz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rydeland lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Diaz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jab from Rydeland.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diaz shoots in and bounces Rydeland off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Rydeland looking for subs off his back but Diaz has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Diaz.
Diaz lands with a punch from half guard.
Diaz scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Diaz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rydeland throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rydeland is trying to get back to full guard.
Rydeland regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rydeland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rydeland wants to sweep here but Diaz controlling him for the moment.

Rydeland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diaz is aware though and is defending well.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Rydeland keeps moving.
Diaz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rydeland looking for a sweep. Not yet Rydeland, not yet.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Rydeland is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rydeland keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Diaz works over Rydeland with some ground and pound from guard.
Diaz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Diaz trying to control but Rydeland is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz throwing strikes but missing.
Diaz lands a couple of digs.
Diaz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Rydeland looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Diaz landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rydeland has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Diaz has managed to get both his arms back between Rydeland's legs - danger averted.
Diaz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rydeland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Diaz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Rydeland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diaz lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamerun Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Diaz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz wants to slow Rydeland down by chopping away at his legs.
Diaz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rydeland sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diaz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Rydeland tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rydeland manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rydeland swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Diaz misses with an uppercut
and Rydeland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz throws a head kick but Rydeland moves out of range.
Rydeland is looking to counter punch.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rydeland manages to avoid it.
Rydeland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
John Rydeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kamerun Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rydeland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
John Rydeland is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheers as Rydeland lands an impressive looking overhand right. Diaz doesn't seem phased though.
Diaz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rydeland on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
That kick from Diaz tenderised Rydeland's leg. Rydeland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rydeland jabs Diaz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
That kick from Diaz tenderised Rydeland's leg. Rydeland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Diaz throws a leg kick
and Rydeland counters with a nice uppercut.
Rydeland connects with a looping right hand.
Diaz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz needs to keep his hands up - Rydeland had a free shot at his head there.
Diaz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
Diaz connects with a high kick.
Diaz slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz connects with the punch.
Diaz scores with a jab. Rydeland acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Diaz throws a head kick but Rydeland moves out of range.
Diaz is looking to score with low kicks.
Rydeland was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rydeland ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Rydeland is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Diaz.
Diaz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Diaz defending well as Rydeland loads up on a big left hand.
Rydeland on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diaz. Diaz obviously looking to wear him down.
Rydeland takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Diaz goes for a double leg but Rydeland avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rydeland continues to drive forward.
Rydeland swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
A low kick from Diaz is predictable there
and Rydeland counters with a one-two to the body.
Rydeland throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rydeland's calf.
Good work by Rydeland as he checks the leg kick.
Diaz jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Diaz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A jab from Diaz misses.
A low kick from Diaz is predictable there
and Rydeland counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diaz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rydeland cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Diaz lands an overhand right.
Rydeland is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Diaz throws a hook to the side of Rydeland's head but Rydeland sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diaz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rydeland is looking to counter the offense by Diaz and move into the clinch.
Diaz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rydeland is able to avoid easily.
Diaz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Diaz misses with a body kick.
Diaz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a body kick.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz scores with a hook to the body. Rydeland takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rydeland lands a nice looking body shot.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rydeland is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diaz.
Rydeland has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Diaz.
Good leg kick by Diaz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rydeland checks a leg kick nicely.
Rydeland getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Diaz scores with a leg kick.
Diaz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kamerun Diaz.
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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kamerun Diaz!
Kamerun Diaz bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.