PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mario Diaz (ranked 1698 p4p, 200 weight class) and Konichiwa Jempsa (ranked 1654 p4p, 194 weight class). Diaz comes to the cage accompanied by Troublesome '96 - 2pac. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Diaz
vs
Jempsa

183 cm
28
168 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

170 cm
22
170 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
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 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mario Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Konichiwa Jempsa!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jempsa.
Diaz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jempsa with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Diaz counter with a right hand.
Jempsa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Konichiwa Jempsa has been cut.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jempsa misses with a takedown attempt
and Jempsa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mario Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Konichiwa Jempsa.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jempsa or perhaps it was just good defense by Diaz, which made it look bad.
Jempsa throws a series of punches but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Diaz throws a chopping leg kick but Jempsa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Jempsa with the counter takedown but Diaz avoids it easily.
Jempsa goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
Diaz throwing a counter right hand but Jempsa manages to avoid it.
Jempsa has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Diaz throws a right hand that Jempsa ducks under and follows up with a left that Jempsa also avoids with ease.
Jempsa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jempsa lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jempsa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diaz scores with a jab.
Jempsa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jempsa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Diaz does no damage.
Jempsa drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Diaz defends it well.
Jempsa throws a body shot but no joy.
Jempsa shoots in but Diaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Konichiwa Jempsa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jempsa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jempsa tries for a takedown but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Diaz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Diaz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jempsa. Jempsa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Diaz.
Jempsa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.
Jempsa dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mario Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Diaz moves into the clinch.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
Jempsa loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
Diaz throws a right hand that Jempsa ducks under and follows up with a left that Jempsa also avoids with ease.
And Jempsa tries to counter it with a takedown but Diaz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Diaz scores with a decent looking hook.
Jempsa looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
It looked like Diaz was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Jempsa moves out of range.
Jempsa takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Diaz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jempsa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Jempsa.

Jempsa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jempsa showed some decent athleticism there.
Diaz is trying to stand back up but Jempsa is controlling him

Diaz has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Jempsa is on him like a limpet, forcing Diaz back against the cage.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jempsa gets slowly back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Jempsa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Diaz counters with a three punch combo that has Jempsa backing up. Jempsa nods at Diaz to acknowledge the strikes.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
Diaz stalks Jempsa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Jempsa's face. Jempsa staggers backwards, shaken.
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diaz as he avoids it easily.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Jempsa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Diaz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Konichiwa Jempsa's cut.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jempsa misses with a takedown attempt - Diaz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz is looking to counter punch.
Diaz connects with a jab.
Jempsa fails with a takedown attempt.
Mario Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Konichiwa Jempsa.
Donk. Diaz catches Jempsa right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jempsa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diaz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Jempsa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diaz's waist but Diaz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jempsa off to one side.
Jempsa misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jempsa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jempsa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
No luck for Jempsa with that takedown attempt.
Diaz half committed to a counter leg kick.
Diaz tries to bum rush Jempsa with a series of wild strikes but Jempsa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jempsa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Jempsa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Diaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jempsa can do to turn this around?
Jempsa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jempsa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diaz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Jempsa with that takedown attempt.
Mario Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Jempsa is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz drops Jempsa with a beautiful combination! Jempsa stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Diaz is looking for the KO!

Jempsa is rocked!
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!
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jempsa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.
Diaz cracks Jempsa with an open hand slap.
Diaz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jempsa.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz slaps away a takedown attempt from Jempsa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a straight left.
Jempsa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Jempsa!
Jempsa slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
Diaz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jempsa.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jempsa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diaz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jempsa or perhaps it was just good defense by Diaz, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Diaz.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Diaz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jempsa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mario Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Jempsa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Diaz counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That has opened up Konichiwa Jempsa's cut even more.
Jempsa takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Jempsa feints the counter takedown.
Jempsa moves away from the strike by Diaz.
Jempsa goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
Diaz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Diaz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Diaz dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Konichiwa Jempsa'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!

Jempsa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jempsa gets slowly back to his feet.
Diaz connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jempsa.
Jempsa shoots in for a double leg but Diaz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jempsa fails with the takedown.
Mario Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Konichiwa Jempsa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jempsa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jempsa shoots for a takedown but Diaz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jempsa dives in and grabs Diaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes down on Jempsa's head and hops out.
Jempsa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Jempsa counters with a takedown into side control.

Diaz bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Diaz throws a one two combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jempsa shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Diaz rushes Jempsa and presses him up against the cage.
Jempsa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Diaz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Diaz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Jempsa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Diaz sprawls well initially but Jempsa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Diaz looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Diaz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Diaz.
Diaz wants to stand but Jempsa is controlling the position.

Diaz scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Diaz as Jempsa shoots in.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Jempsa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diaz's waist but Diaz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jempsa off to one side.
Nice shot by Diaz.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jempsa.
Jempsa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diaz pinned against the cage. Diaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Diaz throws a big counter combination but Jempsa scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Jempsa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mario Diaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Diaz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Diaz as he connects with a hook.
Jempsa just misses with a punch to the body.
Jempsa keeps the fight on the outside.
Diaz lands a right hook to the body.
Diaz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jempsa on the side of the head.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Jempsa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Diaz works over Jempsa's head and body with a nice combination.
Diaz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Jempsa counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Diaz!
Diaz wants to get back to his feet but Jempsa is dominant here and he's now got Diaz's back!
Konichiwa Jempsa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jempsa is looking for the choke from the back position but Diaz is controlling his hands well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Diaz has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Diaz!
In his post fight interview, Mario Diaz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.