PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noel Diaz (ranked 511 p4p, 1702 weight class) and Calvin Shields (ranked 52 p4p, 175 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Diaz
vs
Shields

180 cm
26
145
5 - 0 - 0

172 cm
26
150
3 - 0 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Noel Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Calvin Shields!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz rushes Shields and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Diaz stops a takedown attempt from Shields.

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 Shields uses from the top position.

Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shields is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Diaz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shields doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shields manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diaz definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shields cracks Diaz with a solid left hand.
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields scoring with some ground and pound.
Shields seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Diaz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shields is one step ahead there.
Shields postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shields wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Shields with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shields controlling from the top position.
Shields throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.
Shields stands up over Diaz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shields really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diaz wants to sweep here but Shields controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shields shoots in looking for a takedown but Diaz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shields's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Shields scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shields thows a huge punch but Diaz dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaz wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
Diaz wants to control but Shields is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shields is taking a breather. Diaz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Diaz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Diaz as he connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.
Noel Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Shields.

Shields shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Diaz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shields just content to control the position.
Diaz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Shields.
Shields looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Diaz is avoiding damage well.
Diaz wants to control but Shields postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Check out the look on Shields's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Diaz is not content to let Shields control the position.
Shields looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Diaz is avoiding damage well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Shields dominated that round.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shields shoots in and gets a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Shields engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shields postures up and lands a big shot to Diaz's brow.
Shields must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shields postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
Shields wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

Diaz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shields postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shields manages to get himself to full guard.

Diaz really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shields is controlling Diaz's posture.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shields swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diaz looking to sit in guard and control but Shields gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shields lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz controls Shields momentarily but Shields frees himself.
Shields throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.
Diaz controls Shields momentarily but Shields frees himself.

Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shields lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields distracts Diaz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shields wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz has Shields pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Shields shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Diaz's guard.
Shields loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shields connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields chips away with some ground and pound.

Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shields can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shields looking to sit in guard and control but Diaz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shields pulls Diaz in close to prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Shields showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shields fails with the takedown.
Shields dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Calvin Shields seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz is looking to clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shields.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
You can see the frustration on Diaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Shields trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shields is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Shields seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Shields wants to control but Diaz is keeping him busy.
Diaz sneaks back into half guard.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Shields is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shields wants to take a breather but Diaz is having none of it.
Shields working Diaz over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Shields lands with a punch from half guard.
Shields not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shields is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shields is defended easily by Diaz.
Noel Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Shields.

Shields throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shields is in Diaz's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.

Diaz trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz content to stall in guard here.
Shields bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diaz's guard.

Shields working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shields distracts Diaz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz has momentary wrist control but Shields slips an elbow through the middle.
Shields slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Shields postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Diaz looking for a guillotine here but Shields defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shields shoots in and gets a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Diaz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shields stands up over Diaz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Diaz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shields's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz stands and throws Shields's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Shields's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz advances nicely into full mount.
Shields looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Diaz is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Shields has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Shields is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz biding his time, looking for the opening.
Diaz's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Diaz tries to keep control of the position but Shields is staying busy.
Shields trying to control but not successfully.

Diaz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Shields right now.
Shields really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Diaz's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
Shields is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Diaz off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Diaz tries to keep control of the position but Shields is staying busy.
Shields wants to escape the position.

Diaz working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Shields is really stuck here.
Diaz trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
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.
Diaz tries to get the hooks in deep but Shields pushed the leg off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Noel Diaz had his way with Calvin Shields in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Shields doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Diaz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Diaz.

Diaz jumps guard.
Shields looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diaz looking for a triangle here. Shields is fighting it but it looks tight! Diaz pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Shields is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Noel Diaz!
Noel Diaz retains his featherweight title!
In his post fight interview, Noel Diaz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.