PBP Commentary

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

Rich
vs
Diaz

177 cm
20
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

184 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick Rich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz takes a swing at Rich's ribcage but misses.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Rich moves out of range.
Rich fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diaz avoids it really well and circles away.
Rich throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diaz's waist but Diaz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rich off to one side.
Nick Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rich misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Rich does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diaz throws a hook but Rich avoids it easily.
Rich shoots and misses
and Diaz counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Rich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good shot there by Diaz.
Rich shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.
A cross from Diaz lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz throws a jab when Rich was well out of range.
A left lands for Diaz.
Diaz misses with a straight left.
Rich keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rich walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Diaz throws a combination. Rich tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Diaz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diaz throws a nice looking combination but Rich bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Rich gets a takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rich trying to mount his opponent but Diaz defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rich wants to take a breather but Diaz is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Rich is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diaz is looking to control Rich's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diaz avoid being mounted?
Diaz is trying to stand up here but Rich is controlling him well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rich stands up and beckons Diaz to join him on the feet.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Rich avoids them all with ease.
No luck for Rich with that takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Diaz misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands with a thumping leg kick.

Rich drives through and clinches with Diaz against the cage.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Rich forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Diaz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Rich jumps guard.
Rich is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Diaz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Rich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz stands up from Rich's guard - Diaz perhaps looking for a knockout.

Rich feints and as Diaz raises his hands in defense, Rich changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rich accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Diaz is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Rich frees his head nicely. Oh but Diaz has switched to an armbar! Rich is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Nick Diaz!
After the fight, Nick Diaz was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.