PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hick Diaz (ranked 3568 p4p, 2376 weight class) and Walter Mason (ranked 462 p4p, 326 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Diaz
vs
Mason

180 cm
19
185
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
185
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hick Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walter Mason!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason leaves Diaz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mason defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
Mason shoots for a double leg takedown but Diaz sprawls well. He's pushed Mason's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Diaz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mason looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mason is looking for a sweep.
Mason sneaks back into half guard.
Mason is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz is keen to just control but Mason is a slippery customer.
Mason wants to get back to full 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.
Mason trying to control but Diaz postures up.
Mason manages to get to full guard.
Mason wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

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 pass the guard but Mason is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mason displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diaz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mason defends well and Diaz ends up having to push Mason into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Mason lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz has a hand on Mason's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mason takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Mason can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Diaz is looking to escape.
Diaz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Mason is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Mason is keeping the position.
Diaz is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mason working a defensive guard here.
Mason throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Diaz trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mason trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hick Diaz will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Mason, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Mason against the cage but Mason circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Diaz drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diaz trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Diaz pushes down on Mason's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mason felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mason keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason moves into full guard.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz passes Mason's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mason trying to control here.
Hick Diaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mason has managed to free his arm - good work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mason wants to get back to full guard.
Mason keeps control of the position for the meantime.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz shoots in and bounces Mason off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mason trying to control the position.
Mason wants to sweep but no luck.
Mason has control of Diaz's left arm, preventing Diaz from doing any damage.
Diaz trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Mason is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mason is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diaz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.
Mason stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mason wants it to stay on the feet.
Diaz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mason can do to turn this around?
Diaz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mason defends well and Diaz ends up having to push Mason into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hick Diaz dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mason will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mason circles away.
Diaz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mason defends well and Diaz ends up having to push Mason into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Mason has clasped his hands together around Diaz's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Diaz tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Mason looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mason connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mason controlling the position easily from mount.
Mason punching from mount but Diaz doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Diaz can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Mason unloading with bombs!
Diaz wants to hold on but Mason pushes him away.
Diaz sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mason winds up and cracks Diaz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Walter Mason has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
Mason is pressing down on Diaz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Diaz is holding on for now.
Mason winds up and cracks Diaz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands with a punch from half guard.
Diaz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mason throwing shots but Diaz is blocking nicely.
Diaz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Mason is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mason stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mason wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mason looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Mason there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
Mason is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Mason postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hick Diaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Mason postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walter Mason comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Diaz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hick Diaz!
A relieved looking Hick Diaz thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.