PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mabahong Tae (ranked 2807 p4p, 2054 weight class) and Matthew Diggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diggs has chosen 1017 freestyle as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Tae
vs
Diggs

187 cm
26
195
5 - 6 - 0

190 cm
26
189
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mabahong Tae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Matthew Diggs!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Darius Henderson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tae moves into the clinch successfully.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diggs.

Diggs ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Diggs no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Tae wants to work for an arm triangle but Diggs is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Diggs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tae.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diggs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Diggs is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tae pulls his head out easily.
Tae prevents Diggs from improving his position.
Diggs felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diggs is defending against the submission attempts here by Tae.

Tae wants to work for an arm triangle but Diggs is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tae stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Diggs to get to his feet.
Diggs is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tae tries to close the distance and clinch but Diggs swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diggs circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Diggs counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggs looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Diggs lands an overhand right.
Tae thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tae tries to clinch there but Diggs circles away.
Tae wants to clinch.

Tae moves into range and clinches up with Diggs.
Diggs tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tae just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tae using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Diggs has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Diggs tries to pull guard but Tae won't allow it.
Our sources have told us that Tae has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Diggs working aggressively here.
Tae scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tae.
Tae throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tae prevents a body shot from Diggs.
Diggs using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tae looking to throw knees to the head but Diggs is blocking nicely.
Diggs tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mabahong Tae has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Diggs.
Tae tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tae with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Diggs gets control of Tae's arms and successfully pulls guard. Diggs will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Diggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tae is looking to advance position but Diggs has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Diggs is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Tae has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Tae!
Tae throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tae trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tae got a little sloppy there for a moment and Diggs has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tae has managed to get both his arms back between Diggs's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Tae is looking to advance position but Diggs has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Diggs looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Tae wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tae is trying desperately to improve position.
Tae is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Tae keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Diggs fails to take his opponent's back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthew Diggs will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tae wants to clinch.
Tae lands a really nice looking cross but Diggs seems unphased.

It looks like Matthew Diggs has been cut.
Tae closes the distance but Diggs moves to the side
and Diggs counters with a stiff right hand.
Diggs keeps the fight on the outside.
Diggs looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diggs rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tae moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tae moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mabahong Tae is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tae dodges the punch combination from Diggs.
As Diggs looks to move away, Tae throws a big counter combo but Diggs just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tae misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diggs keeps the fight on the outside.
Diggs looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tae misses with a shot to the body
and Diggs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tae moves in looking to clinch but Diggs pushes him off.
Tae tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Diggs connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tae tries to clinch but Diggs is having none of it.

Tae darts in and clinches Diggs up against the cage.
Tae misses with a knee to the head.
Tae throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Diggs jumps guard but Tae stands there with Diggs around his waist. Diggs gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tae with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tae tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Diggs is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tae to keep the fight standing.
Diggs misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tae scores with a nice hook to the head.
Diggs struggles to land a body shot inside as Tae controls his hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tae throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Diggs fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mabahong Tae has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Diggs.
Diggs jumps guard but Tae turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tae trying to control the position but instead, Diggs has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tae into the cage.
Diggs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tae smiles and moves away.
Tae misses with a body shot
and Diggs counters with a left to the body.
Diggs fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tae looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Good exchange - Diggs coming out on top.
Tae tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diggs manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Tae closes the distance and pushes Diggs back into the cage.
Diggs jumps guard but Tae turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tae landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tae lands with a light punch inside.
Tae with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diggs.
Tae lands a hook that snaps the head of Diggs backwards.
Tae tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Diggs tries to throw a body punch but Tae avoids it by throwing Diggs back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Tae fails to land.

Diggs has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tae uses from the top position.
Tae not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Diggs throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tae trying to control but Diggs is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diggs has his foot on Tae's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tae works his way back into a safe position though.
Tae passes Diggs's left leg - he's now in half guard.

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

Diggs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Diggs wants to improve his position but Tae is controlling well.
Diggs is staying active underneath Tae, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Diggs tries to roll over but Tae keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mabahong Tae will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matthew Diggs's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tae throws a right hand that misses
and Diggs counters with a two punch combo.
Tae fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matthew Diggs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tae misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Diggs counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Tae has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tae misses with a knee strike.
Diggs lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tae backwards.
Tae lands a hook that snaps the head of Diggs backwards.
Diggs lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tae backwards.

Diggs manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tae trying to control but Diggs is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tae looking to pass the guard.
Diggs being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diggs is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Diggs looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Diggs keeping moving, preventing Tae from controlling successfully.
Tae postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tae controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Diggs keeping moving, preventing Tae from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tae advances to half guard.
Diggs trying to control but Tae postures up.
Diggs is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Tae is staying active.
Tae is looking to take a break and control but Diggs is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Diggs actively working from the bottom here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tae misses with a head shot. Diggs uses the momentum to regain guard.
Tae working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tae working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Diggs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Diggs circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tae closes the distance but Diggs moves to the side
and Diggs counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Tae moves into the clinch.
Diggs fails to pull guard.
Tae tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diggs tries to pull guard but Tae forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tae lands a knee to the head.
Diggs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tae smiles and moves away.
Mabahong Tae has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Diggs.
Tae tries to clinch up but Diggs circles away and keeps his distance.
Diggs circles away from the clinch attempt
and Diggs counters with a straight right hand.
Tae looks to clinch
and Diggs counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Tae gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tae connects with a nasty looking knee right to Diggs's face.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diggs jumps guard and drags Tae to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Diggs keeping full guard, as Tae tries to pass.
Matthew Diggs has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matthew Diggs.
I think Diggs 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Diggs!
After winning the bout, Matthew Diggs thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.