PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Soo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Diablo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Soo
vs
Diablo

180 cm
20
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
20
176 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alex Soo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dick Diablo!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diablo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Soo tries to clinch there but Diablo circles away.
Diablo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Soo tries to avoid it but Diablo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Soo to the ground. Soo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diablo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Soo misses with a takedown attempt
and Diablo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Diablo tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Soo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Soo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Soo blocks the strikes from Diablo.
Diablo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Diablo is looking for a sweep. Soo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soo wants to take a breather but Diablo is having none of it.
Soo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Diablo tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soo working the head and body with strikes.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Diablo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Diablo working the ground and pound but Soo is defending the strikes.
Soo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Diablo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soo's head.
Soo trying to get back to full guard but Diablo takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Diablo with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Diablo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soo is looking to escape.

Diablo goes for an armbar but Soo turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Soo.
Soo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Soo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soo trying to control but Diablo is working from the bottom.

Diablo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Diablo looks gassed!

Soo stands up from Diablo's guard - Soo perhaps looking for a knockout.
Soo connects with a single shot there.

Soo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Diablo!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soo controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diablo is desperately trying to improve his position but Soo has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soo controlling his opponent.
Diablo taking shots to the head.
Diablo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Soo working Diablo over with strikes here.
Soo takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Diablo is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Soo working for a guillotine from mount but Diablo is in no mood to give up.
Soo avoids the attempt from Diablo to control.
Soo tries to control but Diablo wriggling away.
Diablo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Soo tries to control but Diablo wriggling away.
Diablo taking shots to the head.
Diablo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Soo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Soo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Diablo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Soo counters with a thumping low kick.
Soo circles away from the clinch attempt

and Soo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Soo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Diablo wants to get back to full guard.
Soo trying to control the action but Diablo is working from the bottom.
Diablo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Soo wants to stand but Diablo is controlling his posture from full guard.
Diablo keeping moving, preventing Soo from controlling successfully.

Diablo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Soo gets to his feet - Diablo follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soo tries to clinch up but Diablo circles away and keeps his distance.
Diablo wants to clinch up but Soo keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Soo or perhaps it was just good defense by Diablo which made him look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Diablo. No joy for Soo on that attempt.

Soo closes the distance and clinches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Diablo is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Soo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diablo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Soo wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Soo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diablo wants to break free but Soo has control.
Soo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diablo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Diablo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Soo just stands there and leans against the cage.

Soo breaks the clinch.
Soo throws a head kick that half lands.
A head kick by Soo misses

and Diablo counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Soo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Diablo tries for a kimura but Soo is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soo avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Diablo.
Soo has control of an arm but Diablo manages to advance to Diablo's back!
Soo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Diablo lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Soo hold on?!

Diablo goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Soo escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Diablo trying to get back to full guard but Soo takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Diablo is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diablo is squirming around, avoiding Soo's attempts to control the action.
Soo controlling the position easily from mount.
Soo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Diablo is looking to escape.
Diablo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Diablo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Diablo tries to reverse the position but Soo maintains control.
Soo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Diablo is looking to escape.
Diablo is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Soo controlling from the full mount.
Soo lands a big shot there that rocks Diablo but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Soo wants to control the pace but Diablo is squirming around nicely.
Diablo gets back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soo prevents Diablo from standing back up.
Soo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diablo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Diablo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Soo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Soo's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Soo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Soo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Diablo!
Soo prevents Diablo from getting the reversal.
Alex Soo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Soo lands a big elbow.
Soo wants to control the pace but Diablo is squirming around nicely.
Diablo is looking to get to half guard.
Soo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Diablo is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diablo defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Soo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diablo can't escape the position.
Diablo slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Diablo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Diablo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Soo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diablo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Diablo had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Soo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Diablo Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Soo's back instead.
Soo tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soo is trying to escape the mount but Diablo keeps good control and instead manages to take Soo's back.
Soo wants to control his opponent's hands but Diablo gets his hands free.
The referee is taking a good look at Soo as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Diablo!
Soo looking very determined here, making life difficult for Diablo.
Soo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Diablo's guard. Nice work there by Soo.
Soo wants to control from the top but Diablo keeps moving.
Soo wants to pass the guard but Diablo is keeping the position.
Soo controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diablo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Soo trying to control the position from guard on top but Diablo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diablo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Soo is one step ahead there.
Diablo looking to control.
Diablo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Soo stands and steps away. Diablo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Soo throws a sloppy head kick and Diablo moves out of range easily.

That's four 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.
Soo throws a head kick but Diablo moves out of range.

Diablo gets a takedown into half guard.

Soo looking for submissions off his back.

Diablo is looking for a kimura but Soo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Diablo to get the leverage.
Diablo is thwarting Soo's attempts to control the position.
Soo keeping hold of Diablo's head, controlling as best he can.
Diablo passes to side control.
Soo is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Diablo really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Soo tries for a takedown but Diablo circles away easily

and Diablo counters with a takedown into side control.

Diablo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Soo, who protects the arm well.
Diablo scores with punches from side control.
Diablo tries to move into full mount but can't pass Soo's legs.
Soo is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Diablo asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Diablo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Soo wants to control but Diablo postures up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Soo tries to buck Diablo off but Diablo is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Soo is trying is best to control the position here.
Diablo passes to full mount!

Diablo is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Soo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Soo tries to buck Diablo off but he can't manage it.
Diablo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Soo?
Diablo avoids the attempt from Soo to control.

Diablo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Soo is now in Diablo's guard. A big mistake from Diablo there, giving up the dominant position!
Diablo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Diablo's guard.
Soo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Diablo looking for submissions off his back.
Soo tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Soo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diablo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diablo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Diablo is staying active underneath Soo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Diablo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Soo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Diablo is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soo trying to control the position from guard on top but Diablo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diablo looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Soo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Diablo is looking for a sweep. Soo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Soo is thwarting Diablo's attempts to control the position.
Diablo is staying active underneath Soo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Soo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diablo but Diablo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice jab there from Diablo.
Diablo throws out a loose jab but Soo uses good head movement to avoid it.

Diablo tries to keep at a distance but Soo has taken the fight into the clinch.

Soo has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Diablo regains guard immediately.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soo trying to control the position from guard on top but Diablo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Soo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Soo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Soo stands up from Diablo's guard - Soo perhaps looking for a knockout.

Soo darts in and clinches Diablo up against the cage.
Diablo wants to break the clinch but can't.

Soo pulls guard effortlessly.
Diablo tries to free his leg and advance position but Soo is retaining full guard.
Soo is pulling down on Diablo's head to control his posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diablo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Soo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Dick Diablo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Diablo misses with a few strikes there.
Soo throws a lazy head kick
and Diablo counters with a series of strikes. Soo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Diablo wants to clinch but Soo slips to the side
and Soo counters with a good, hard body kick but Diablo shrugs it off.
Soo throws a head kick that misses.
Diablo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diablo throws a series of punches but Soo moves out of range.

Diablo moves into the clinch successfully.
Diablo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Soo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diablo blocks it with crossed arms.
Soo is looking to break free of the clinch but Diablo has double underhooks.
Soo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Diablo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Diablo is trying to break free.
Soo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Soo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soo prevents Diablo from breaking the clinch.

Diablo pulls Soo into guard.
Diablo keeping moving, preventing Soo from controlling successfully.
Soo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Soo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Soo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Soo showed some decent athleticism there.
Diablo is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Soo decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Soo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Soo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Diablo's head.
Diablo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Diablo.

Diablo had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Soo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Diablo Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Soo's back instead.
Diablo has the hooks in. Soo is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Diablo. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diablo loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Soo hold on?

Soo is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Diablo is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Soo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Diablo connects with a big shot to the side of Soo's head.
Oh Soo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Soo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Soo seems to have got his legs back now.

Diablo patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Soo avoids the strikes from Diablo.
Diablo cracks Soo with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Soo from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Diablo is landing with strikes from the back.
Diablo lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Soo hold on?!

Diablo is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Soo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Diablo working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soo looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
I really don't envy Soo right now.

Diablo is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Soo knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Soo for a finish.
Soo tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Soo tries to hold on but Diablo pushes him away.
Soo is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Diablo looking to finish Soo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Soo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Diablo wants to control but instead Soo manages to regain half guard.
Diablo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Diablo thows a huge punch but Soo dodges it nicely.
Soo is staying active underneath Diablo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Soo is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Diablo lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diablo is thwarting Soo's attempts to control the position.

Diablo escapes and gets back to his feet.

Diablo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dick Diablo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Diablo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dick Diablo!
Dick Diablo is the new welterweight champion!