PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dick Niaz (ranked 1651 p4p, 2113 weight class) and Rich Voss (ranked 225 p4p, 271 weight class). Dick Niaz could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rich Voss's chin.

Niaz
vs
Voss

170 cm
28
165
13 - 9 - 0

181 cm
27
160
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dick Niaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Voss!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Voss stuffs the takedown attempt from Niaz. Niaz gets slowly back to his feet.
Voss tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Niaz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Voss to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Niaz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Voss landing with the ground and pound.
Niaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Voss postures up in Niaz's guard and throws a big left but Niaz blocks it.
Niaz wants to control but Voss passes easily into half guard.
Voss is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niaz wants to control but Voss is keeping busy.
Voss working the head and body with strikes.
Voss winds up and cracks Niaz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
We've been hearing good reports from Niaz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Voss scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Voss prevents Niaz from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Voss scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Voss is stalling here. Niaz is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Voss seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Niaz has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Voss manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Voss wants to work for an arm triangle but Niaz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Niaz is looking to improve his position.
Voss with the ground and pound but Niaz uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Niaz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Voss defends it easily.
Niaz wants to control the position but Voss says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Voss not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Voss is looking to take a break and control but Niaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Niaz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Voss looking to improve position, pressing down on Niaz's thigh with his hand. Niaz seems to be working to lock up a guilotine though... is Voss paying attention? Apparently not! He's locked it up tight! Voss's face has turned purple! Will he tap? Will he! YES! He's tapped! Niaz picked his opening and made it count! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Dick Niaz!
Dick Niaz is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Dick Niaz thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.