PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Van Claus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oscar Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Van Claus
vs
Diaz

190 cm
19
221 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
215 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stefan Van Claus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Oscar Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz misses with a takedown
enabling Van Claus to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Oscar Diaz has been cut.

Van Claus feints and as Diaz raises his hands in defense, Van Claus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into 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.
Diaz working a defensive guard here.
Van Claus trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!
Diaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Van Claus preventing the sweep.

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

Van Claus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Van Claus happy to just control the position for now.
Diaz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Claus tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Diaz can't do much from the bottom here.

Van Claus working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Diaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Diaz is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Van Claus is staying active.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

Van Claus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Diaz keeps Van Claus under control for a moment.
Diaz is trying to get back to half guard.
Diaz is trying to control Van Claus's posture but Van Claus avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Oscar Diaz wasn't active enough on the ground.

Van Claus moves into the clinch.

Van Claus gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Van Claus thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Claus is working away from the top position though.
Diaz regains full guard. Nicely done.
Diaz looking to control.

Diaz looking for a guillotine here but Van Claus defends easily.
Van Claus wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz is trying to keep Van Claus in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Claus wants to pass the guard but Diaz is keeping the position.
Van Claus is fighting to break Diaz's control of his arms but Diaz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

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

Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van Claus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Diaz controls Van Claus momentarily but Van Claus frees himself.

Van Claus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Van Claus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Van Claus trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Van Claus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oscar Diaz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diaz misses with a takedown

and Van Claus counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Van Claus.

Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Diaz keeping full guard, as Van Claus tries to pass.

Van Claus decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Diaz, up you get!

Van Claus darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Van Claus seems content to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Diaz wants to control but Van Claus is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is refusing to be controlled, as Van Claus sits in half guard.
Diaz trying to hold on to Van Claus's head to control him but Van Claus postures up.
Van Claus takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Diaz trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Diaz tries to hold on but Van Claus postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Claus stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Van Claus moves in looking to clinch but Diaz pushes him off.

Van Claus scores with a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Diaz controls Van Claus momentarily but Van Claus frees himself.

Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Van Claus is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Diaz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Diaz has escaped and now he's on top!
Diaz wants to control from the top but Van Claus keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Van Claus manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Diaz has Van Claus in his guard.
Van Claus has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Van Claus postures up.
Diaz might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Van Claus kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Oscar Diaz wasn't active enough on the ground.

Van Claus changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Diaz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Diaz is trying to control Van Claus's posture but Van Claus avoids it.

Van Claus working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Van Claus wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Diaz, who protects the arm well.
Diaz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz trying to control here.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Diaz wants to control but Van Claus is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Van Claus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Oscar Diaz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Van Claus shoots in and bounces Diaz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Van Claus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van Claus wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz is pulling down on Van Claus's head to control his posture.
Diaz looking to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Oscar Diaz wasn't active enough on the ground.
Diaz has his takedown stuffed
and Van Claus counters with a solid body kick.
Stefan Van Claus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz closes the distance looking to clinch

and Van Claus counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Claus controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Claus lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Van Claus's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Van Claus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Van Claus drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick Van Claus off! Van Claus jumps back into Diaz's guard.
Diaz working a defensive guard here.
Stefan Van Claus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Van Claus stands and steps away. Diaz gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Diaz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Diaz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Diaz trying to keep a closed guard but Van Claus is proving a slippery customer.
Diaz is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

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

Van Claus drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick Van Claus off! Van Claus jumps back into Diaz's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Claus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Van Claus postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Oscar Diaz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Van Claus lets loose with a powerful body kick. Diaz will feel that in the morning.
Stefan Van Claus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Claus closes the distance and pushes Diaz back into the cage.
Diaz tries to stall but Van Claus uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Diaz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Van Claus fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Van Claus shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Van Claus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Van Claus cracks Diaz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Oscar Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Claus avoids the attempt from Diaz to control.

Van Claus goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Diaz is on top in guard.

Diaz drops back, looking for a kneebar! Van Claus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Van Claus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Van Claus!
Stefan Van Claus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diaz is letting Van Claus control him for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stefan Van Claus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Van Claus has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stefan Van Claus!