PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nico DiAngelo (ranked 2765 p4p, 14637 weight class) and Masada The Zealot (ranked 314 p4p, 505 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

DiAngelo
vs
The Zealot

179 cm
25
165
7 - 6 - 1

190 cm
49
162
39 - 45 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nico DiAngelo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 45 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masada The Zealot!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DiAngelo staying out of range there.
The Zealot misses with an uppercut. DiAngelo saw that one coming.
DiAngelo moves away from the strike by The Zealot.
The Zealot throws a leg kick
and DiAngelo counters with a left to the body.
DiAngelo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from The Zealot.
DiAngelo swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The Zealot cracks DiAngelo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The Zealot works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

DiAngelo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Zealot defends it well.

DiAngelo seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Zealot is trying to stand.
DiAngelo slows the pace down in half guard.
The Zealot wants to get back to his feet.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura but The Zealot is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for DiAngelo to get the leverage.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

DiAngelo is working for a kimura but The Zealot is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DiAngelo wants to control but The Zealot is keeping him busy.

That's two 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.
DiAngelo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

DiAngelo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so The Zealot is just riding it out for now. DiAngelo eventually gives up the hold.
DiAngelo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

DiAngelo working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

DiAngelo working for a guillotine from mount but The Zealot is in no mood to give up.
The Zealot is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

DiAngelo looking for a guillotine from mount but The Zealot is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… The Zealot is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by The Zealot and DiAngelo has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The Zealot defending against the ground and pound.

DiAngelo tries for a kimura but The Zealot is defending well.

DiAngelo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The Zealot is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, DiAngelo asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four 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.

DiAngelo is trying to get an arm triangle but The Zealot is defending well.

DiAngelo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. The Zealot knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
DiAngelo working the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

DiAngelo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. The Zealot knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

DiAngelo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by The Zealot, who protects the arm well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

The Zealot misses with a hook.

DiAngelo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. The Zealot was covering up waiting for the punch and DiAngelo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
DiAngelo won't allow The Zealot to get back to his feet.
The Zealot is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
DiAngelo looking to pass the guard.
The Zealot utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DiAngelo throwing strikes but missing.
DiAngelo passes The Zealot's left leg - he's now in half guard.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiAngelo content to control rather than advance.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.
Nico DiAngelo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

DiAngelo seems to be working for a kimura but The Zealot defends the submission attempt.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
DiAngelo winds up and cracks The Zealot with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
DiAngelo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The Zealot blocking the ground and pound attempt from DiAngelo.

DiAngelo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Zealot defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DiAngelo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura here.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.
DiAngelo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

DiAngelo is working for a submission of some sort.
The Zealot keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

DiAngelo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

DiAngelo seems to be looking for submissions.
The Zealot really doesn't want to stay on the ground with DiAngelo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
DiAngelo is just content to waste time from the top position. The Zealot takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
DiAngelo throws a big right hand that misses.

DiAngelo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and DiAngelo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
DiAngelo passes into half guard.

DiAngelo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but The Zealot sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nico DiAngelo dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

DiAngelo ducks under a wild hook from The Zealot.
The Zealot throws a lazy right hand but DiAngelo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like DiAngelo was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from The Zealot.
The Zealot displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
DiAngelo slips a jab from The Zealot.

The Zealot gets caught flat footed, as DiAngelo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

DiAngelo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

DiAngelo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Zealot dives on top into guard.

DiAngelo working for a triangle but The Zealot defends it easily.
DiAngelo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

DiAngelo looking for subs off his back but The Zealot has passed one foot through into half guard.
DiAngelo is trying to get back to full guard.

DiAngelo looking for submissions off his back.

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.

DiAngelo actively working from the bottom here.

DiAngelo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

DiAngelo looking for submissions off his back.
DiAngelo wants to improve his position but The Zealot is controlling well.
DiAngelo is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DiAngelo moves into full guard.
DiAngelo wants to sweep here but The Zealot controlling him for the moment.
Masada The Zealot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DiAngelo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

DiAngelo is keen to just control but The Zealot is a slippery customer.

DiAngelo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The Zealot avoiding damage under a succession of punches from DiAngelo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

DiAngelo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, The Zealot has managed to free his arm - good work.

DiAngelo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

DiAngelo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The Zealot is refusing to be controlled, as DiAngelo sits in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

DiAngelo is trying to work for a kimura but The Zealot is defending well.

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 Nico DiAngelo.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DiAngelo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nico DiAngelo!
Nico DiAngelo made sure to mention his sponsor, Altitude Clothing in his post fight interview.