PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pietro Marchionni (ranked 3825 p4p, 6686 weight class) and John Diaz (ranked 495 p4p, 644 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Marchionni
vs
Diaz

175 cm
20
172
3 - 2 - 0

181 cm
27
178
3 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pietro Marchionni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, John Diaz!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Diaz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Marchionni moves into the clinch.
Diaz jumps guard but Marchionni turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Pietro Marchionni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Diaz.
Marchionni taking a breather.
Marchionni keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Diaz's efforts to push away.
A hook to the body from Marchionni.
Marchionni is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Marchionni manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marchionni is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Marchionni walks away with a smile on his face. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Marchionni throws a shot from downtown. Diaz moves away and avoids it.
Marchionni looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Marchionni stuffs the takedown.
Marchionni half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Marchionni.
John Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Marchionni drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Diaz wants to control but Marchionni postures up.
Diaz on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
Marchionni scoring with punches and elbows.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Marchionni keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Diaz is working to avoid the ground and pound but Marchionni connects with a decent elbow.
Marchionni cracks Diaz with a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marchionni landing a few strikes.
Diaz takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Marchionni just content to control the position.
Diaz is trying to control Marchionni's posture but Marchionni avoids it.
Marchionni scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Diaz to see if he's OK.
Marchionni lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Diaz down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz taking a bit of punishment here - Marchionni scoring with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marchionni is working Diaz over with some ground and pound from side control.
Diaz tries to buck Marchionni off but Marchionni is having none of it.
The referee asks Marchionni politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Marchionni prefers to stall for the moment though.
Marchionni is putting a hurting on Diaz here, landing some big shots from side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Marchionni taking a breather here.
Diaz takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Marchionni working the ground and pound.
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
Diaz is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Marchionni lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchionni slows the pace down.
Marchionni landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Diaz is trying to improve his position.
Marchionni lands some shots froms side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Diaz takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pietro Marchionni dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
A swing and a miss from Marchionni.
Marchionni slaps away a takedown attempt from Diaz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Pietro Marchionni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Diaz.
Marchionni looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Diaz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Diaz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
John Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marchionni displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diaz.
Marchionni scores with a jab. Diaz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marchionni rushes Diaz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marchionni is working Diaz over against the cage.
Diaz wants a takedown.
Marchionni is stalling here.
Marchionni slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Marchionni - that landed with a thud.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Marchionni lands a shoulder strike.
Diaz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marchionni pulls his leg out and moves away.
Marchionni throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diaz tries to counter by closing the distance.
Diaz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Marchionni defends it nicely.
Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marchionni misses with a looping right.
Diaz feints the counter takedown.
Diaz slips a straight right by Marchionni.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Marchionni.
Marchionni misses with a two punch combination.
Marchionni is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Diaz wants to clinch but Marchionni slips to the side

and Marchionni counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Marchionni working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchionni with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Marchionni working over Diaz with some ground and pound. Diaz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marchionni working over Diaz with some ground and pound. Diaz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Marchionni keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Marchionni connects with a nice short shot to Diaz's temple.
Marchionni controlling the pace.
Marchionni seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Diaz for as long as he can get away with.
Diaz wants to control but Marchionni is keeping busy.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but Marchionni has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz has hold of Marchionni's hands but Marchionni slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Marchionni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Marchionni trying to control the pace.
Marchionni lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Marchionni content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Marchionni lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz taking some punishment here, with Marchionni in his half guard.
Marchionni is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Marchionni is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Diaz is in trouble now - Marchionni has advanced to mount!
Marchionni putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Marchionni lands a heavy elbow.

Diaz is rocked!
Diaz tries to reverse the position but Marchionni maintains control.
Marchionni lands a big shot there that rocks Diaz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pietro Marchionni dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Diaz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marchionni.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Marchionni saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Marchionni waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
Marchionni throws a hook but Diaz avoids it easily.
Diaz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
Marchionni throws a body punch but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marchionni circles away.
Pietro Marchionni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Diaz.
Marchionni slaps away a takedown attempt from Diaz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Diaz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marchionni avoids it really well and circles away.
Marchionni tries to counter by clinching up but Diaz breaks away and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marchionni lands a body shot.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marchionni as he avoids it easily.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchionni looks to throw the jab but Diaz is out of range.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown but Marchionni manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diaz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Marchionni throws a body shot but no joy.
Diaz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marchionni.
Diaz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marchionni sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Diaz somewhat.
Marchionni misses with a straight left.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Diaz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Marchionni decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Diaz's guard.
Marchionni advances to half guard.
Marchionni perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Marchionni is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Diaz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Marchionni slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchionni has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Marchionni is nestled in close to Diaz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchionni looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diaz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Marchionni content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Marchionni is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Marchionni works his way into side control.

Marchionni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Diaz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Diaz tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchionni creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Marchionni cracks Diaz with a big right hand but Diaz just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Diaz is still in real trouble! Can Marchionni finish him?
Marchionni is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Diaz's shoulder. That is not cool.
Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.
Marchionni is chipping away with strikes.
Marchionni working the ground and pound.
Pietro Marchionni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Marchionni scoring with punches from side control.
Diaz being controlled for a moment.
Diaz struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marchionni is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Diaz's shoulder. That is not cool.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pietro Marchionni showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marchionni 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 John Mangel scores the fight 30:24
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:24
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pietro Marchionni!
After the fight, Pietro Marchionni was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.