PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sonny Barella (ranked 2214 p4p, 1812 weight class) and Chel Diokno (ranked 154 p4p, 128 weight class). Diokno has chosen This is my story as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Chel Diokno was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Barella
vs
Diokno

167 cm
27
135
10 - 15 - 0

167 cm
30
135
4 - 8 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sonny Barella!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chel Diokno!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diokno takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Barella tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diokno was well out of range. Poor timing from Barella.
Barella swings away with a body shot that misses
and Diokno counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sonny Barella seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barella misses with a double jab

and Diokno counters by moving into the clinch.
Diokno misses with a hook from the clinch.
Diokno missing with knees to the body.
Diokno pushes off an throws an elbow but Barella leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Diokno misses with a knee to the head.
Diokno tries a knee to the head but Barella blocks it.
Diokno swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diokno tries a knee to the head but Barella blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diokno lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Diokno can't find room to land a body shot as Barella controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Diokno creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Diokno tries to work over Barella's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diokno fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barella managing to block the knees to the body from Diokno.
Diokno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barella.
Barella blocks an elbow strike from Diokno.
Diokno misses with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Diokno.
Diokno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diokno lands a nice elbow.
Barella looking for a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Diokno.

Barella has clasped his hands together around Diokno's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Diokno manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Diokno seems to be working for a kimura but Barella defends the submission attempt.

Barella looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diokno content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Diokno seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Barella is looking to control Diokno's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barella avoid being mounted?

Diokno is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Barella sees it coming and defends easily.

Barella looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Barella is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diokno pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diokno passes to side control.

Diokno is trying to get an arm triangle but Barella is defending well.
Diokno working away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diokno wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barella keeps working.
Barella is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Diokno is controlling him well.
Barella tries to buck Diokno off but Diokno is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Diokno working away.
Barella is looking to reverse the position.
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The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barella lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Barella scores with a shot to the body.
Diokno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Diokno closes the distance and clinches.
Diokno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barella blocks it with crossed arms.
Diokno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barella has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Diokno misses with a knee strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barella lands a body shot.
Diokno takes one on the button.
Diokno moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diokno takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barella. Diokno does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barella cracks Diokno with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Barella tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diokno was well out of range. Poor timing from Barella.
Sonny Barella is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barella lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diokno circles away quickly and effectively.
Barella misses with a hook to the body

and Diokno counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Diokno throws an elbow but it misses.
Barella is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Diokno to keep the fight standing.
Barella looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diokno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diokno trying to land knees to the body.
Diokno lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diokno goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barella avoids the elbow strike from Diokno, against the cage.
Diokno lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barella backwards.
Barella blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Chel Diokno seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Diokno trying to land knees to the body.
Diokno has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Barella has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Diokno regains guard immediately.
Diokno not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Diokno looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Barella got a little sloppy there for a moment and Diokno has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Barella has managed to get both his arms back between Diokno's legs - danger averted.

Diokno looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barella has picked Diokno up and slammed him! Diokno can't keep hold of the triangle and Barella manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barella thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Barella looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barella working away.
Diokno sneaks back into half guard.
Diokno has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barella is working away from the top position though.

Barella seems to be looking for submissions.
Barella looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Barella is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Diokno sees it coming and defends easily.
Diokno is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sonny Barella overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Barella is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Diokno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barella.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barella works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barella lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Diokno manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barella looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Barella is working for a kimura but Diokno is defending it quite comfortably.
Diokno is looking for a sweep. Barella is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diokno moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Diokno working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barella doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barella manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diokno looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barella passes into half guard.

Barella is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Diokno is looking for a sweep. Barella is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Barella is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Diokno is just riding it out for now. Barella eventually gives up the hold.

Diokno looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Barella tries to pass the half guard into mount. Diokno knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Barella prevents Diokno from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sonny Barella dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Diokno takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sonny Barella is winning the standup battle so far.
Diokno is looking to slow Barella down with leg kicks.

Barella closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Diokno to the mat! Diokno manages to get full guard.
Diokno looking for a sweep. Not yet Diokno, not yet.

Diokno is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barella defends well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barella's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barella wants to control from the top but Diokno keeps moving.
Barella looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barella avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Barella sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Diokno's guard.
Diokno trying to control from the bottom.
Barella lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barella is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

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

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

Diokno actively working from the bottom here.

Barella is trying to work for a kimura but Diokno is defending well.
Diokno wants to get back to full guard.

Barella seems to be looking for submissions.

Barella is working for a kimura but Diokno is defending it quite comfortably.

Barella is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diokno is looking to control Barella's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diokno avoid being mounted?
Diokno gets full guard.

Diokno is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barella is aware though and is defending well.

Barella thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Barella stands and throws Diokno's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barella in side control lands a decent elbow.

Barella is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Diokno has escaped the position, nice work there.

Barella tries for a kimura but Diokno is defending well.
Diokno tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barella connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Diokno some visible discomfort.
Barella working away.

Barella tries for a kimura but Diokno is defending well.
Barella trying to control the position but Diokno is working away.
Diokno sneaks back into half guard.

Diokno looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Diokno tries to roll over but Barella keeps him under control.

Barella is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Diokno has managed to free his arm - good work.
Barella wants to pass the guard but Diokno is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barella drops an elbow to the side of Diokno's head.

Barella is working for a submission of some sort.
Diokno has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barella is working away from the top position though.

Barella is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Diokno has managed to free his arm - good work.
Diokno wants to control but Barella is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diokno is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barella pulls his head out easily.

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

Barella is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sonny Barella showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Barella 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sonny Barella!
Sonny Barella decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Chel Diokno had this to say: 'Granite Chin will come back!'.