PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Lakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz has chosen Godsmack- Cryin' Like A Bitch as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Lakovic
vs
Diaz

189 cm
24
181 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

182 cm
24
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sasha Lakovic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Lakovic.
A big right from Lakovic misses.
Lakovic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ricardo Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A bone on bone clash there as Diaz blocks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Lakovic misses the target.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lakovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lakovic manages to avoid it.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lakovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lakovic throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Diaz was covering up waiting for the punch and Lakovic finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Lakovic looking to pass the guard.

Diaz has his feet on Lakovic's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz scores with a hook.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Lakovic circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lakovic is defended easily by Diaz.
Diaz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz throws a right hand that Lakovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Lakovic also avoids with ease.
Danga de danga de dang - Diaz scores with a four punch combination!
Diaz lands with a straight right. Lakovic didn't see that one coming.
Lakovic tries to clinch but Diaz moves out of range.
Lakovic motions for Diaz to come forward. Lakovic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body kick from Lakovic.
Ricardo Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lakovic tries to clinch up but Diaz circles away and keeps his distance.
Lakovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lakovic shoots in but no luck this time.

Diaz clinches.

Diaz breaks the clinch.
Lakovic throws out a leg kick but Diaz moves out of range and Lakovic only half commits.
Lakovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Diaz's sensitive parts.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lakovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Diaz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Diaz blocks a head kick by Lakovic.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diaz leaves Lakovic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Lakovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lakovic shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to clinch
and Lakovic counters with a head kick.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Lakovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Diaz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Lakovic is avoiding it.

Diaz moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lakovic.
Diaz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lakovic backwards.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good exchange - Diaz coming out on top.
Lakovic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Diaz finds it's way round the side to connect with Lakovic's head.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Diaz duly obliges.
Lakovic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Lakovic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lakovic gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Lakovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Lakovic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to avoid it but Lakovic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diaz to the ground. Diaz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lakovic misses with a low kick.
Lakovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lakovic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Diaz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lakovic rather than just go for the knockout.
Diaz lands a body shot.
Diaz blocks the body kick.
Lakovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Diaz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Diaz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lakovic backs up against the cage.
Diaz lands a jab to Lakovic's midsection.
Diaz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lakovic.
Diaz throws a right hand that Lakovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Lakovic also avoids with ease.
Diaz throws a right hand that Lakovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Lakovic also avoids with ease.
Diaz tries to clinch but Lakovic is having none of it.
Diaz misses with a double jab
and Lakovic counters with a stiff right hand.
Diaz throws a combination. Lakovic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lakovic misses with a straight left.
Diaz works Lakovic's body with a nice hook.
Lakovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diaz.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lakovic counters with a head kick. That will keep Diaz thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A punch lands to the side of Lakovic 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Lakovic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakovic prevents Diaz from improving his position.
Lakovic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diaz defending well though.

Lakovic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Diaz is just riding it out for now. Lakovic eventually gives up the hold.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but Lakovic has control of the leg.
Diaz is trying to stand back up but Lakovic is controlling him

Lakovic is working for an americana but Diaz has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Lakovic was thinking about the submission.

Diaz uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Diaz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lakovic counters with a nice leg kick.
Diaz connects with a looping right hand.
Lakovic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Diaz duly obliges.
A left and a right from Diaz both land. Nice combination.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lakovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lakovic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Lakovic is avoiding it.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Lakovic moves out of range.
Lakovic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lakovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
A jab from Lakovic misses.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lakovic.

Diaz clinches up with Lakovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Diaz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Diaz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Diaz.
A body shot lands from Lakovic.
Diaz digs a right hand underneath Lakovic's ribcage. Lakovic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Lakovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Diaz blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.
Lakovic connects with a high kick.
Diaz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Diaz!
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lakovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ricardo Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lakovic, right into the meat.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Lakovic circles away.
Nice defenses there by Diaz.
Diaz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Lakovic counters with an outside leg kick.
Lakovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lakovic at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lakovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lakovic counters with a thumping low kick.
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 Sasha Lakovic will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Diaz.
Diaz throws a right hand that Lakovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Lakovic also avoids with ease.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
Lakovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Lakovic tries for a takedown but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lakovic misses with a low kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lakovic.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lakovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lakovic shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Lakovic closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Lakovic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Diaz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lakovic prevents Diaz from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Lakovic is trying to get an arm triangle but Diaz is defending well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Diaz explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Lakovic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Diaz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lakovic tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Lakovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz digs a right hand underneath Lakovic's ribcage. Lakovic let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lakovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz staying out of range there.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to bum rush Lakovic with a series of wild strikes but Lakovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lakovic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diaz avoids it really well and circles away.
Diaz staying out of range there.
Diaz scores with a body shot.
Lakovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A left and a right from Lakovic both land. Nice combination.
Diaz clinches but Lakovic breaks the clinch

and Lakovic counters with a nice double leg into side control. Diaz won't be happy with that.
Lakovic misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Lakovic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lakovic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Diaz wants to control but Lakovic postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic has knee on belly momentarily but Diaz bucks him off and regains half guard.

Lakovic is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Diaz defends it well.
Diaz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Diaz trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Lakovic clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lakovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz throws a combination that misses

and Lakovic counters with a nice double leg into side control. Diaz won't be happy with that.

Lakovic swings around for an armbar but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lakovic's guard.
Lakovic has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Diaz has passed into side control.

Diaz stands up.
Lakovic misses with a low kick.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good work by Diaz as he checks the leg kick.
Diaz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Diaz duly obliges.
Ricardo Diaz seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a shot to the body
and Lakovic counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A left and a right from Diaz both land. Nice combination.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Lakovic moves out of range.
Lakovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lakovic clinches but Diaz breaks the clinch
and Diaz counters with a right hand to the body.
Diaz misses with a jab to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Diaz tries to bum rush Lakovic with a series of wild strikes but Lakovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Diaz lands with an uppercut that bounces Lakovic off the cage and back into rage.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lakovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Diaz.

Diaz moves into range and clinches up with Lakovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Diaz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lakovic lands a shoulder strike.

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

Lakovic drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diaz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lakovic manages to get himself to full guard.
Lakovic wants to sweep here but Diaz controlling him for the moment.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Diaz gets to his feet - Lakovic follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lakovic, right into the meat.
Lakovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Diaz moves into the clinch successfully.
Lakovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Diaz walks away with a smile on his face. Lakovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lakovic takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Diaz circles away from the clinch attempt

and Diaz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lakovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Diaz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Diaz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lakovic backwards.
Lakovic tries for a takedown. No joy.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with the combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lakovic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diaz just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Lakovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lakovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lakovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Diaz controls his hands.
Diaz lands with a light punch inside.
A short left from Diaz.
Lakovic misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz lands a shoulder strike.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.
Diaz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Diaz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lakovic dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Diaz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lakovic, pushing him back against the cage.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Diaz dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Diaz throws a series of punches but Lakovic avoids them all with ease.
Lakovic motions for Diaz to come forward. Lakovic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A jab from Lakovic misses.
Diaz looks to clinch
and Lakovic counters with an outside leg kick.
Good leg kick by Lakovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lakovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Lakovic connects with a body shot.
Diaz punishes Lakovic's body with a nice straight punch.
Lakovic throws and low kick but Diaz moves out of range easily.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz swinging wildly here.
Lakovic misses with a body punch

and Diaz moves into the clinch.
Diaz blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Lakovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lakovic lands a hook to the side of the head.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz swings for the body but Lakovic moves out of range.
Diaz misses with a combination
letting Lakovic counter with a right hand.
A nice combination there by Diaz.
Lakovic throws out a leg kick but Diaz moves out of range and Lakovic only half commits.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lakovic lands with a kick to the temple. Diaz shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lakovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Lakovic thumps Diaz with a low kick.
Diaz looks to score with a jab to the body but Lakovic is just out of range.

Lakovic changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Diaz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Lakovic is trying to work for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet.

Lakovic is working for a submission of some sort.
Lakovic trying to advance position but Diaz counters by regaining guard.
Diaz has control of Lakovic's left arm, preventing Lakovic from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.
Lakovic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diaz's guard.
Diaz seems keen to control Lakovic's posture.
Lakovic looking to pass the guard.
Lakovicis looking to pass into half guard but Diaz pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Diaz is in guard.
Lakovic wants to sweep here but Diaz controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic wants to improve his position but instead Diaz has moved into half guard.
Diaz wants to stand up but Lakovic is controlling the position.
Lakovic wants to get back to full guard.

Diaz decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Diaz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lakovic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz leaves Lakovic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sasha Lakovic.
I think Lakovic 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricardo Diaz!
Ricardo Diaz is the new welterweight champion!