PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Bower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dodge San Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Bower
vs
San Diaz

175 cm
22
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
150 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Bower!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dodge San Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for San Diaz with that takedown attempt.
San Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bower scores with a hook.
San Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Bower shows good takedown defense.
Matt Bower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dodge San Diaz.

San Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Bower keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bower sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Bower wants to get back to full guard.
San Diaz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bower makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bower.
Bower wants to get back to his feet but San Diaz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
San Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bower working for a triangle but San Diaz defends it easily.
San Diaz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
San Diaz looks gassed!
Bower is looking to improve his position.
San Diaz tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bower knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bower wants to get back to full guard.
San Diaz wants to pass to mount but Bower is defending the position.
San Diaz uses his free foot to push down on Bower's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bower.
Bower regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bower wants to improve his position but San Diaz is controlling well.

Bower has one foot on San Diaz's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
San Diaz tries to clinch up.
Bower changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
San Diaz fails to land the takedown.

Bower changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. San Diaz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bower wants to control but San Diaz is keeping him busy.
San Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Bower keeps moving and retains side control.
San Diaz is trying to control Bower's posture but Bower avoids it.
San Diaz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bower wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on San Diaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Bower thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
San Diaz fails with the takedown

and Bower counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bower.

San Diaz decides to pull guard.

San Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bower won't allow San Diaz to get back to his feet.
San Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.
Bower has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of San Diaz is proving hard to escape from.
San Diaz keeping moving, preventing Bower from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

San Diaz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bower passes easily into side control. Nice work.
San Diaz is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bower's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
San Diaz regains full guard. Nicely done.
San Diaz looking to control.
San Diaz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

San Diaz is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
San Diaz is trying to control the action in half guard but Bower is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bower dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

San Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

San Diaz with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
San Diaz tries to control but Bower wriggling away.

San Diaz gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Bower avoids the head kick by San Diaz.

San Diaz gets a takedown into half guard.
San Diaz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bower!
Bower is trying to escape the mount.
San Diaz tries to control but Bower wriggling away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

San Diaz is working for a guillotine from mount but Bower frees his head quite easily.

San Diaz has hold of Bower's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Bower manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

San Diaz stands up from mount. Strange move.
San Diaz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bower but Bower pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Bower as San Diaz shoots in.

San Diaz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bower flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

San Diaz decides to return to a standing position.
San Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Bower pushes him off.
San Diaz fails to land the takedown.
Matt Bower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dodge San Diaz.
San Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
San Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bower is fending him off so far but San Diaz persists. Nope, Bower circles away and we're back to standing.
San Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bower pinned against the cage. Bower gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
San Diaz is looking to clinch.
San Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bower's waist but Bower gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing San Diaz off to one side.
San Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bower's waist but Bower gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing San Diaz off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from Bower as San Diaz shoots in.

San Diaz scores a takedown into full mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

San Diaz gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bower blocks a head kick by San Diaz.
Bower keeps the fight on the outside.
San Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bower is fending him off so far but San Diaz persists. Nope, Bower circles away and we're back to standing.
Bower shoots in and drives through. San Diaz sprawls well.
San Diaz tries for a takedown but Bower sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bower.

San Diaz shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than San Diaz was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bower blocking the ground and pound.
San Diaz throwing strikes here but Bower is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Bower tries to hold on but San Diaz postures up.
San Diaz misses with a head shot.
San Diaz trying to control but Bower is having none of it.
San Diaz landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

San Diaz jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bower manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bower is trying to improve his position.
Bower manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bower working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
San Diaz is in trouble now - Bower has advanced to mount!
San Diaz taking shots to the head.
Dodge San Diaz has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

San Diaz defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bower.
Bower breaks from San Diaz's wrist control and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dodge San Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bower moves into range and clinches up with San Diaz.
San Diaz keeps control of Bower as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
San Diaz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
San Diaz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bower pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bower looks to land a combination. San Diaz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

San Diaz is rocked!

Bower closes the distance and clinches.
San Diaz is still on wobbly legs! Can Bower finish him?
San Diaz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
San Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.
Matt Bower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dodge San Diaz.

San Diaz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. San Diaz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
San Diaz manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
San Diaz throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
San Diaz scores with a couple of good head shots there.

San Diaz jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bower manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bower dodges the ground and pound from San Diaz.
San Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bower is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on San Diaz's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bower regains full guard. Nicely done.

Bower throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
San Diaz looking to pass the guard.
Bower keeping moving, preventing San Diaz from controlling successfully.

Bower looking for a guillotine here but San Diaz defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San Diaz scoring with some ground and pound.

Bower pushes San Diaz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
San Diaz darts in trying to clinch

and Bower moves into the clinch.
San Diaz is working for takedown but Bower is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bower is trying to stall.
Bower swings wildly with an uppercut but San Diaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
San Diaz wants a takedown.
San Diaz wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San Diaz wants to stall.

Bower escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bower forces San Diaz back against the cage and clinches.
Bower wants to break the clinch but can't.
San Diaz keeps control of Bower as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

San Diaz manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bower stays in close to San Diaz's body and controls the position.
Bower trying to control but San Diaz is working from the bottom.
Bower wants to pass the guard but San Diaz is keeping the position.
Bower trying to control but San Diaz is working from the bottom.

San Diaz is looking for a triangle but Bower pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bower lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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

San Diaz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
San Diaz keeping moving, preventing Bower from controlling successfully.
San Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bower lands a couple of digs.

San Diaz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bower can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bower clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

San Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bower scores with a hook.
Matt Bower is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
San Diaz slips a jab and a cross from Bower.
San Diaz moves away from the strike by Bower.

Bower fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. San Diaz sprawls well initially but Bower persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bower is pressing down on San Diaz's thigh, looking to free his foot. San Diaz is holding on for now.
San Diaz moves into full guard.

San Diaz kicks Bower off and gets to his feet.
San Diaz shoots and misses

and Bower moves into the clinch.
San Diaz prevents the takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
San Diaz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bower is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Bower turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bower manages to end up in side control.
San Diaz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bower works to advance to full mount. San Diaz defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Bower breaks from San Diaz's wrist control and lands an elbow.
San Diaz is in all sorts of trouble here.
San Diaz gets back to half guard.
San Diaz is trying to control but can't.
Bower is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
San Diaz trying to hold on to Bower's head to control him but Bower postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bower missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bower is looking to advance position but San Diaz won't allow it.

San Diaz is defending against the submission attempts here by Bower.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
San Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bower's waist but Bower gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing San Diaz off to one side.
Matt Bower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dodge San Diaz.
A combination from San Diaz does no damage.
Bower throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bower keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

San Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bower is on top in guard.
San Diaz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San Diaz keeping moving, preventing Bower from controlling successfully.
San Diaz trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

San Diaz is looking for a triangle but Bower pushes his legs off easily.
Bower wants to control from the top but San Diaz keeps moving.
Bower is really struggling to control San Diaz but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Bower preventing the sweep.
San Diaz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
San Diaz misses with a takedown attempt

and Bower counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bower.

Bower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bower shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Bower stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bower.
San Diaz doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bower counters by clinching up.
San Diaz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bower is keeping busy.
San Diaz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bower is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bower leaning against his opponent.
Bower wants a takedown but no success here.
Bower gets underhooks to prevent San Diaz's takedown attempt.
San Diaz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bower pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bower breaks the clinch.

Bower clinches with his opponent.
Bower wants to get back to striking at distance but San Diaz won't allow it.
Bower has San Diaz pushed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bower prevents the takedown attempt.
Bower trying to land knees to the body.
Bower wants to get back to striking at distance but San Diaz won't allow it.
San Diaz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bower lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bower had his way with Dodge San Diaz in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bower scores with a hook to the body. San Diaz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

San Diaz scores a takedown into full mount!
Bower regains half guard.
Bower is trying to get back to full guard.
Bower is trying to control but can't.

San Diaz seems to be looking for submissions.
Bower wants to control but San Diaz is keeping busy.
San Diaz throwing shots but Bower is blocking nicely.

San Diaz seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Bower is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Dodge San Diaz!
Dodge San Diaz is the new featherweight champion!