PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Diaz (ranked 1089 p4p, 154 weight class) and Jodi Joe Fjera (ranked 1212 p4p, 172 weight class). Fjera has chosen Tito & Tarantula as his entrance music. Jodi Joe Fjera told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Diaz
vs
Joe Fjera

197 cm
27
213 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

183 cm
29
210 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jodi Joe Fjera!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Diaz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fjera bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Diaz's head.
Fjera looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
Fjera is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diaz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Fjera misses with a wild combination.
Diaz throws a series of strikes that have Fjera backpedaling.
Diaz throws a push kick but Fjera slaps the foot to one side.
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Fjera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Fjera decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Diaz manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fjera is trying to pull guard but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Fjera goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Diaz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fjera uses from the top position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Fjera working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Diaz is wriggling around but Fjera manages to pass to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Diaz pushes Fjera off and gets back to his feet.
Diaz definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Fjera lands a front kick.
Fjera shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diaz pinned against the cage. Diaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Joey Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jodi Joe Fjera.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Diaz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fjera.
Fjera throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Diaz lands a really nice looking cross but Fjera seems unphased.
Fjera misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Fjera throws a low kick, looking for Diaz's leg but Diaz calmly moves out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Diaz enables Fjera to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Diaz manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Diaz is working an open guard so Fjera takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Diaz moves out of range as Fjera throws a body kick.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Fjera takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Joey Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fjera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Fjera.
Diaz lands a head kick!
Diaz cracks Fjera with a good jab.
Diaz lands with a slapping head kick.
Fjera lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fjera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diaz throws a big counter combination but Fjera scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Fjera has his takedown stuffed
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Fjera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Fjera pushes Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.
Fjera slows down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Diaz can't break the clinch.
Fjera is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fjera misses with the head strike.
Fjera has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diaz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fjera manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fjera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diaz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Fjera misses.
Fjera connects with a leg kick. Diaz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fjera looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
Fjera misses with an uppercut. Diaz saw that one coming.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fjera throws out the jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Diaz. That's going to slow Fjera down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fjera misses with a looping right.
Fjera missing with a left hand there. Diaz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diaz jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Fjera throws the kick towards the body but Diaz avoids it.
Diaz throws a combination that misses
and Fjera counters with a nice uppercut.
Fjera throws a head kick that misses.
Fjera fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diaz avoids it really well and circles away.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz throws a sloppy head kick and Fjera moves out of range easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fjera throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Fjera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Diaz appears to be looking for a big counter.
Fjera shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fjera gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fjera tries to score a power double leg takedown but Diaz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fjera somewhat.
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 Joey Diaz will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diaz cracks a nice hook into Fjera's ribs.
Diaz connects with an inside leg kick.
Diaz works over Fjera's head and body with a nice combination.
Fjera lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Diaz moves out of range of the leg kick from Fjera.
Fjera throws a looping overhand right but Diaz ducks down to avoid it.
Diaz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fjera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fjera misses with a body shot.
Diaz lands a nice looking body kick.
Diaz lands with a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fjera at a distance.
Diaz takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fjera misses with a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fjera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.
Diaz cracks the inside of Fjera's front leg.
Diaz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fjera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.
Fjera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz is looking to counter punch.
Nice defenses there by Diaz.
Some wild striking there from Diaz.
Diaz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fjera throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diaz.
A slow jab from Fjera misses its intended target.
Diaz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fjera's sensitive parts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fjera throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Diaz's head.
Diaz throws a right hand that Fjera ducks under and follows up with a left that Fjera also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a leg kick which misses Fjera's front leg but catches the back leg as Fjera tries to avoid it.
Fjera takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1-2. Diaz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fjera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diaz but Diaz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fjera checks a low kick from Diaz.

Fjera takes the fight into the clinch.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fjera throws a leg kick
and Diaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Joey Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Diaz slips under a jab from Fjera.
Diaz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fjera throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz lands a two punch combo.
Fjera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diaz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz connects with a solid leg kick.
A nice combination there by Diaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fjera shoots in but no luck this time.
Joey Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jodi Joe Fjera.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz cracks Fjera with a good jab.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz keeps the fight on the outside.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Fjera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fjera scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fjera throws a jab but it's blocked by Diaz.
A nice combination there by Diaz.
Diaz looks to land a combination but Fjera avoids it well.
Diaz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fjera's calf.
Donk. Diaz catches Fjera right on the button with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fjera misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fjera tries a head kick but it misses.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Diaz scores with a jab. Fjera acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fjera takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fjera can do to turn this around?
Fjera looks to clinch
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fjera scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fjera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Diaz. That's going to slow Fjera down.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good work by Diaz as he checks the leg kick.
Fjera looks to land a body kick but Diaz moved away.
Diaz went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Diaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Diaz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fjera's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Diaz dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Fjera throws a shot from downtown. Diaz moves away and avoids it.
Diaz defending well as Fjera loads up on a big left hand.
Diaz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Diaz scores with a shot to the body.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Diaz duly obliges.
Diaz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fjera misses with the combination.
Diaz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Diaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Fjera is rocked!
Diaz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fjera is still on wobbly legs! Can Diaz finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fjera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Fjera seems to have recovered his senses.
Diaz lands a front kick.
Diaz throws a nice looking combination but Fjera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fjera misses with a low kick.
Fjera lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fjera misses with an attempted mid kick.
Diaz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Diaz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Fjera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fjera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fjera tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Diaz. That snapped Fjera's head back.
A solid leg kick lands there for Diaz.
Fjera has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Diaz motions for Fjera to come forward. Diaz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Joey Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fjera lands with an overhand left.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fjera shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fjera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Diaz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fjera swings away with a body shot that misses
and Diaz counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Fjera looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fjera tries to clinch up but Diaz circles away and keeps his distance.
Diaz moves out of range as Fjera throws a body kick.
It looked like Diaz was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fjera.
Diaz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fjera shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Diaz counters with a left and a right that stings Fjera.
Joey Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jodi Joe Fjera.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Diaz, right into the meat.
A nice leg kick lands there from Diaz.
Diaz throws a head kick but Fjera moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Diaz.
Fjera throws a left and a right that both miss
and Diaz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Diaz throws a low kick but Fjera avoids it.
Fjera shapes to counter with a head kick.
Fjera takes one to the side of the head.
Diaz slaps away a takedown attempt from Fjera, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Diaz was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fjera misses with a body kick.
Fjera throws a hook to the side of Diaz's head but Diaz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diaz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fjera checks it well.
Fjera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diaz. Diaz obviously looking to wear him down.
Fjera looks to land a body kick but Diaz moved away.
Diaz cracks Fjera with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Fjera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fjera scores with the left hand. Diaz knows he should have avoided that one.
Diaz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Diaz scoring well with a low kick there.
Diaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Fjera misses with a hook
and Diaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
You can see that Fjera has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Fjera throws a looping overhand right but Diaz ducks down to avoid it.
Diaz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fjera is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fjera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fjera connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Diaz momentarily.
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!
Fjera shoots in looking for a takedown but Diaz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fjera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diaz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Diaz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Diaz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fjera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Diaz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jodi Joe Fjera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fjera has time to react.
Diaz tries a low kick but Fjera avoids it.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Fjera moved away.
Diaz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fjera.
Diaz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fjera.
Diaz cracks Fjera with an open hand slap.
Joey Diaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fjera tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diaz, 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Diaz!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Joey Diaz made sure he mentioned Riner Clothing Everything for 50$ only, along with how happy he was to win his fight.