PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard LaFleur (ranked 3525 p4p, 3179 weight class) and Don Diego (ranked 447 p4p, 409 weight class). Don Diego told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

LaFleur
vs
Diego

188 cm
20
215
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
213
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Richard LaFleur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Don Diego!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diego loads up on a big right hand but LaFleur slips the punch.
Diego displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from LaFleur.
LaFleur shoots in for a takedown but Diego shows good takedown defense.
Diego looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
LaFleur thuds a left hand into Diego's body.
LaFleur lunges at Diego with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Diego's hand.
LaFleur lands a head shot.
Diego takes a swing at LaFleur's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diego closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. LaFleur quickly recovers to half guard.

LaFleur looking for submissions off his back.

LaFleur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

LaFleur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diego pulls his head out easily.
LaFleur is trying to get back to full guard.

LaFleur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diego pulls his head out easily.
Diego is taking a breather. LaFleur 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 fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

LaFleur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diego pulls his head out easily.

LaFleur looking for a kimura from the bottom but Diego passes into side control!

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.
LaFleur sneaks back into half guard.
LaFleur is staying active underneath Diego, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

LaFleur actively working from the bottom here.

LaFleur looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Diego pushes past his half guard into mount!
Diego wants to control the pace but LaFleur is squirming around nicely.
LaFleur is wriggling around trying to escape.
Diego scoring with strikes but LaFleur is staying in there.
Diego can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as LaFleur is looking to escape.
Diego landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diego wants to lay and pray for a moment but LaFleur keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

LaFleur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diego pulls his head out easily.

LaFleur looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diego not doing much here.

LaFleur looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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.
Diego keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
LaFleur is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Hero Academia, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

LaFleur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

LaFleur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Diego trying to control the action but LaFleur is working from the bottom.

LaFleur looking for subs from the bottom but Diego mounts him!
Diego wants to control the pace but LaFleur is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
LaFleur 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Don Diego dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diego shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Diego was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
LaFleur regains half guard.
Don Diego has got the better of the ground game so far.

LaFleur actively working from the bottom here.
Diego is keen to just control but LaFleur is a slippery customer.

LaFleur looking for submissions off his back.

LaFleur looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Diego pushes past his half guard into mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diego working the ground and pound effectively.
Diego working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Diego landing shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFleur really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Diego working LaFleur over with strikes here.
LaFleur taking shots to the head.
LaFleur is trying to escape the mount.
LaFleur gets back to half guard.
Diego trying to control from half guard but LaFleur is working away.

LaFleur looking for submissions off his back.

LaFleur has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Diego escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Diego!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur is looking to regain half guard here but Diego keeps moving and retains side control.
Diego lands some shots froms side control.
LaFleur managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Diego.
Diego lands a few punches from side control.
LaFleur is looking to regain half guard here but Diego keeps moving and retains side control.
Diego looks up at the clock and then as LaFleur takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Diego smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
LaFleur trying to control the action but Diego is working from the bottom.

LaFleur is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Diego doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time LaFleur.
LaFleur is controlling the pace.

LaFleur is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Diego still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Diego has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur is looking to reverse the position.
LaFleur manages to work his way to half guard, despite Diego's best efforts.
LaFleur is refusing to be controlled, as Diego sits in half guard.

LaFleur looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Diego pushes past his half guard into mount!
LaFleur tries to reverse the position but Diego maintains control.
LaFleur is working hard here to advance position.
Diego punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Don Diego showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Diego shoots in but no luck this time.
LaFleur attempts a counter takedown but Diego avoids it well and moves away.
LaFleur slips under a jab.
LaFleur attempts a counter takedown but Diego avoids it well and moves away.
LaFleur shoots in but no luck this time.
LaFleur lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
LaFleur shoots in looking for a takedown but Diego manages to keep the fight standing, pushing LaFleur's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diego tries to counter by closing the distance.

LaFleur changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Diego looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

LaFleur goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Diego has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for LaFleur but great work by Diego.
LaFleur tries to buck Diego off but Diego is having none of it.
LaFleur is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Diego's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LaFleur tries to roll over but Diego keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego moves nicely into side control.
LaFleur is not content to let Diego control the position.
LaFleur is trying to get back to half guard.
Diego trying to control the position but LaFleur is working away.
LaFleur tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Diego trying to control the position but LaFleur is working away.
LaFleur tries to improve position but can't.
LaFleur is trying to work for a sweep but Diego has mounted him!
Diego controlling from the full mount.
LaFleur is looking to improve his position but Diego isn't that keen on the idea.
Diego tries to control but LaFleur wriggling away.
LaFleur sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur gets full guard.

LaFleur had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diego defends it easily.

LaFleur working for submissions but it's allowed Diego to get to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

LaFleur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

LaFleur looking for submissions off his back.

LaFleur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diego pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diego seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but LaFleur does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Richard LaFleur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diego content to control rather than advance.

LaFleur with the active half guard here but Diego passes nicely into side control.
LaFleur is throwing a few token shots, despite Diego being in side control.
Don Diego is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
LaFleur pushes Diego away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Diego gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Richard LaFleur.
I think Diego has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Diego!
During a confident post fight interview, Don Diego thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.