PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chel Diokno (ranked 1878 p4p, 2684 weight class) and Erica Santana (ranked 142 p4p, 206 weight class). Diokno kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is This is my story. Santana has chosen Scream - OG Ron C as his entrance music. Chel Diokno has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diokno
vs
Santana

167 cm
31
135
5 - 9 - 1

170 cm
27
135
7 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 5 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chel Diokno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erica Santana!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santana throws a series of punches but Diokno avoids them all with ease.
Santana throws a series of punches but Diokno avoids them all with ease.
Diokno looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Santana fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Diokno scores with a jab to the head.
Santana has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Diokno.

Diokno fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Santana, pushing him back against the cage.
Diokno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Santana avoids it.

Santana has clasped his hands together around Diokno's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Diokno throws Santana to one side and escapes!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diokno clinches.
Santana blocks a body shot from Diokno.
Santana blocks a body shot from Diokno.

Diokno manages to break the clinch.

Santana darts in and clinches Diokno up against the cage.
Diokno lands a nice shot to the body.
Diokno lands a shot to the body.
Santana looks winded!
Santana's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Diokno lands a shoulder strike.
Santana is looking for a takedown.
Diokno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santana has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santana looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Diokno manages to break the clinch.
Diokno with a nice cross.

Santana has closed the distance and engaged Diokno in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diokno tries to land knees in the clinch but Santana avoids the damage to the body.
Diokno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diokno prevents the takedown attempt.
Chel Diokno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erica Santana.
Diokno lands a body shot in the clinch.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Diokno landing knees to the body.
Diokno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Diokno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Santana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Diokno.
Santana is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Diokno manages to break the clinch.
Diokno lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Diokno.

Santana gets tackled into the cage by Diokno. Diokno maintains the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diokno scores with a knee to the head.
Diokno using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Diokno is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Diokno tries to work over Santana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diokno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Santana's elbow.
Diokno lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diokno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diokno misses with a knee to the head.
Santana looking for a takedown.
Diokno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diokno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Santana blocks an elbow strike.
Diokno cracks Santana with a nice body shot.
Santana drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diokno tries to throw a body punch but Santana avoids it by throwing Diokno back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Diokno as the two fighters clinch.
Diokno digs a right hand into Santana's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Santana's gas tank.
Diokno comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Diokno lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Diokno - that landed with a thud.
Diokno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diokno lands an elbow inside.
Diokno tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Diokno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Diokno has Santana up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diokno misses with a knee strike.
Santana blocks a body shot from Diokno.
Diokno lands with a short shot to the head.
Diokno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Diokno unloads a knee to the mid-section. Santana lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Diokno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diokno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Diokno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Diokno has Santana up against the cage in a clinch.
Diokno lands a knee to the head.
Diokno gets through Santana's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diokno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Santana has Diokno pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diokno manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Santana takes an elbow to the forehead.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Diokno tries to throw a body punch but Santana avoids it by throwing Diokno back against the cage.
Diokno throws an elbow but it misses.
Santana is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Diokno lands a knee to the body.
Diokno looking to throw knees to the head but Santana is blocking nicely.
Santana wants to take the fight to the mat but Diokno manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Diokno.
Diokno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diokno working Santana over with knees to the body.
Diokno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diokno is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Santana blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diokno obliges.
Diokno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Diokno tries a body shot but Santana blocks it.
Diokno lands with a short head shot on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santana is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diokno landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Diokno.
Santana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Santana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Diokno throws a nice outside leg kick.
Santana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diokno lands with a kick to the ribs.
Santana keeps the fight on the outside.

Diokno moves into the clinch.
Diokno tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Santana has Diokno pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diokno manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Santana has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diokno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Diokno lands a good knee to the midsection. Santana won't want to take too many of those.
Diokno lands an uppercut.
Diokno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santana can do to turn this around?
Diokno throws a punch but it's blocked by Santana.
Santana is working for takedown but Diokno is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chel Diokno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erica Santana.
Diokno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santana has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Diokno with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Diokno.
Diokno tries a body shot but Santana blocks it.
Santana blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diokno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diokno struggles to land a body shot inside as Santana controls his hands.
Chel Diokno has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Santana is breathing heavily.
Diokno throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Santanas head.
Diokno connects with a nasty looking knee right to Santana's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diokno lands with a short shot to the head.
Diokno lands an uppercut.

Diokno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Santana walks forward, straight into a front kick from Diokno.
Diokno throws a head kick that half lands.

Santana is rocked!
Chel Diokno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Santana blocks a head kick by Diokno.
Santana is still on wobbly legs! Can Diokno finish him?

Diokno gets a clinch.
Knees to the body from Diokno.

Diokno breaks from the clinch.
Santana takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Diokno moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diokno crunches a lovely knee into Santana's ribcage.

Diokno breaks the clinch.
Santana defending well as Diokno loads up on a big left hand.
Diokno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santana.
Some wild striking there from Santana.
Diokno throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Santana's head.
Santana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santana throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Diokno is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Diokno moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diokno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Diokno tries to land knees in the clinch but Santana avoids the damage to the body.
Santana drops down looking for an ankle pick but Diokno pulls his leg out and moves away.
Santana takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Diokno closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Santana takes an elbow to the forehead.
Diokno scores with a nice hook to the head.
Diokno prevents the takedown attempt.
Diokno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diokno tries to land a knee to the head but Santana blocks with his arms.
Diokno lands an elbow inside that Santana shrugs off.
Santana tries for a takedown but Diokno manages to get underhooks.
Diokno scores a nice knee to the body.
Diokno lands a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Diokno as the two fighters clinch.
Diokno can't find room to land a body shot as Santana 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 lands with a light punch inside.
Diokno lands a shot to the body.
Diokno lands an elbow inside that Santana shrugs off.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Diokno.
Diokno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santana blocks it with crossed arms.
A left hand lands to the body for Diokno.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diokno stops a takedown attempt from Santana.
Diokno lands an uppercut.
Diokno gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Diokno scores a nice knee to the body.
Diokno lands a shoulder strike.
Diokno landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Diokno lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Diokno.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Diokno.
A short uppercut from Diokno.
Diokno throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Santanas head.
Diokno lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diokno throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A right hand to the body from Diokno.
Diokno digs a right hand into Santana's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Santana's gas tank.
Diokno lands an elbow that stopped Santana in his tracks for a moment.
Diokno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Diokno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Diokno tries to work over Santana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diokno lands an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Diokno.
Diokno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Santana blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diokno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Diokno pushes Santana back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Diokno crunches a lovely knee into Santana's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diokno working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Diokno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Diokno scores a nice knee to the body.
Diokno lands a body shot.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Diokno obliges.
Diokno lands an elbow inside.
Santana avoids the elbow strike from Diokno, against the cage.
Santana seems to have recovered his senses.
Santana wants to take the fight to the mat but Diokno manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Diokno crunches a lovely knee into Santana's ribcage.
Diokno creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Santana is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Diokno pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Santana wants to take the fight to the mat but Diokno manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Diokno lands with a short shot to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Diokno.
Diokno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Santana's elbow.
Diokno utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diokno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diokno misses with the head strike.
Santana tries for a takedown but Diokno manages to get underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chel Diokno dominated that second round.
That's time! Diokno's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Santana rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diokno moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice body kick there by Diokno.
Chel Diokno is winning the standup battle so far.
Diokno throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sloppy strikes from Diokno. Those never looked like landing.
Chel Diokno is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diokno jabs at Santana's body.
Diokno lands a head kick!
A nice leg kick from Diokno, right into the meat of the thigh.
Santana walks into a left hand.
Diokno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santana swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diokno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Santana.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santana avoids the body shot from Diokno.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diokno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good leg kick by Diokno.

Diokno closes the distance and clinches.
Santana has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diokno after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana wants a takedown but no success here.
Santana blocks a body shot from Diokno.
Santana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Santana has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diokno after a bit of a struggle.
Chel Diokno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erica Santana.
Diokno scores with a knee to the head.
Santana takes an elbow to the temple.
Diokno misses with a punch on the inside.
Diokno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Diokno crunches a lovely knee into Santana's ribcage.
A hook to the body from Diokno.
Santana drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Diokno gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diokno struggles to land a body shot inside as Santana controls his hands.
Santana is looking to take this one to the mat.
Diokno lands a nice elbow.
Diokno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Diokno lands a damaging elbow.
Santana wants a takedown.
Diokno lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diokno lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diokno presses Santana against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Diokno lands a left hand that snaps the head of Santana backwards.
Diokno lands a nice uppercut.
Knees in the clinch landing for Diokno.
Diokno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Diokno tries to land a knee to the head but Santana blocks with his arms.
A head punch on the inside from Diokno fails to land.
Diokno lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Diokno.
Good body shot from Diokno.
Diokno scores a nice knee to the body.

Diokno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Santana tries to keep at a distance but Diokno has taken the fight into the clinch.
Santana drops down looking for an ankle pick but Diokno pulls his leg out and moves away.
Erica Santana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diokno lands a head kick. Santana smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diokno tries to clinch but Santana is having none of it.
Diokno connects with a body shot that sends Santana's belly button to the back.
Diokno slaps away a takedown attempt from Santana, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Erica Santana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diokno moves out of range of the strikes.
Diokno tries to clinch there but Santana circles away.
Diokno throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Diokno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santana swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Santana avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice leg kick from Diokno, right into the meat of the thigh.
Diokno tries to clinch up but Santana circles away and keeps his distance.

Santana feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Diokno escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Santana gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Santana postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Diokno looking for a guillotine here but Santana defends easily.
Santana is in close to Diokno's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Diokno is looking for a triangle but Santana pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Santana avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Diokno controls Santana momentarily but Santana frees himself.
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 is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Diokno is looking for a triangle but Santana pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chel Diokno showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diokno, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:25
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:25

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