PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vicente Escalante (ranked 92 p4p, 639 weight class) and Frank Diaz (ranked 15 p4p, 96 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.

Escalante
vs
Diaz

183 cm
27
192
18 - 1 - 0

188 cm
28
195
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vicente Escalante!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escalante throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Diaz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Diaz.
Escalante has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts in the buildup to the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escalante. Diaz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Escalante fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Good shot there by Diaz.
Diaz thuds his right hand into Escalante's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Diaz misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Diaz connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Escalante slips under a jab from Diaz.
Escalante throws an overhand right that lands on Diaz's shoulder, as Diaz tries to avoid the shot.
Escalante misses with a straight left.
Escalante misses with a leg kick.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Escalante.
Diaz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Escalante.
Frank Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diaz closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Escalante's guard.
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 tries to free his leg and advance position but Escalante is retaining full guard.
Diaz controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escalante keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Escalante utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Escalante preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Diaz is looking to work some ground and pound but Escalante has wrist control.
Diaz throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Escalante keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Diaz blocks a low kick nicely.
Escalante is looking to clinch.

Diaz has closed the distance and engaged Escalante in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Escalante.
Nice body punch from Escalante - that landed with a thud.

Diaz turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Diaz in side control, throwing shots but Escalante defends.
Diaz connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Escalante some visible discomfort.
Diaz trying to control the action but Escalante is working from the bottom.
Diaz scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz tries for a kimura but Escalante is defending well.

Diaz swings around for an armbar but Escalante sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Diaz's guard.

Diaz has his foot on Escalante's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Escalante works his way back into a safe position though.

Diaz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Escalante defends it easily.
Diaz controls Escalante momentarily but Escalante frees himself.

Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Escalante can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.

Escalante is sitting in close to Diaz's body. Diaz has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Escalante is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Escalante is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Diaz.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Frank Diaz!
Frank Diaz is the new middleweight champion!
Frank Diaz decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Vicente Escalante stepped up to the mic, saying 'I yam what I yam...that's all I yam.'.