PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JoJo Diaz (ranked 190 p4p, 9 weight class) and Aleksey Viktorov (ranked 571 p4p, 31 weight class). Viktorov has chosen Lyube - Davay Za as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Diaz
vs
Viktorov

177 cm
27
142 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

168 cm
31
140 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Threads of HARDCORE
HELLS BALLS RECOVERY

Brooklyn Apothecary
Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, JoJo Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Viktorov!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viktorov looks to clinch
and Diaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Viktorov tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Viktorov has time to react.
Diaz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Viktorov wants to clinch up but Diaz keeps it at a distance.
Viktorov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Viktorov takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Viktorov is rocked!
The fight stays on the outside here - Viktorov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Viktorov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Viktorov moves into the clinch.
Diaz scores with a shot to the side of Viktorov's head.
I was talking to Diaz's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz stalling the fight.

Viktorov manages to pull guard.
Viktorov 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.

Viktorov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Diaz passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Diaz is thwarting Viktorov's attempts to control the position.
Diaz looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Viktorov won't allow Diaz to pass to mount.

Viktorov looking for submissions off his back.
Diaz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Diaz wants to free his trapped foot but Viktorov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Viktorov is trying to control but can't.
Viktorov is trying to get back to full guard.
Diaz is trying to control. Viktorov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Diaz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Viktorov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Diaz.

Viktorov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diaz pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura but Viktorov is defending well.
Viktorov wants to get back to full guard but Diaz has mounted him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Viktorov has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Viktorov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Diaz's arms.
Viktorov trying to control the hands but Diaz won't let him.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viktorov looking very determined here, making life difficult for Diaz.
Diaz is hanging on to Viktorov's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Diaz's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Diaz is riding his opponent, not letting Viktorov buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JoJo Diaz dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Viktorov closes the distance but Diaz moves to the side
and Diaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Viktorov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Diaz counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Viktorov thinking.
Viktorov is looking to clinch but Diaz is avoiding it.
Diaz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Diaz scores with a jab to the jaw.
Good standup being displayed there by Diaz as he connects with a hook.
Viktorov tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Viktorov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diaz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Viktorov wants to clinch
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diaz jabs Viktorov right on the nose. Viktorov blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz throws a good cross that connects.
Viktorov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Viktorov is still on wobbly legs! Can Diaz finish him?
Diaz drops Viktorov with a huge uppercut! Viktorov drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Diaz is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:14 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). JoJo Diaz!
JoJo Diaz retains his bantamweight title!