PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jamel Sharif (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sharif
vs
Diaz

179 cm
21
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jamel Sharif!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nate Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sharif throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sharif misses with the combination.
No joy there for Sharif, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sharif. Diaz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sharif lands a two punch combo.
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diaz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sharif blocks a head kick by Diaz.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sharif scores with a nice strike.

Sharif drops Diaz with a right and a left! Sharif comes rushing in but Diaz regains his composure and manages to keep Sharif in guard.

Diaz is rocked!
Sharif is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Diaz is still in real trouble! Can Sharif finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharif's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.
Sharif has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sharif trying to stand up but can't free himself from Diaz's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jamel Sharif wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sharif lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sharif scores with a jab to the body.
Sharif changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sharif fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Diaz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sharif rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sharif keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharif throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sharif fails to land with a series of punches.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sharif as he avoids it easily.
Jamel Sharif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Diaz.
Sharif comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Diaz looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sharif throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Sharif sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sharif pinned against the cage. Sharif gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sharif is looking to wear down Diaz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sharif will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Sharif stuffs the takedown.
Sharif lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Diaz backs up against the cage.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sharif!
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown but Sharif manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diaz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diaz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sharif throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sharif lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sharif.
Sharif lands a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sharif swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharif throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A combination from Sharif does no damage.
Sharif with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Sharif shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sharif misses with the combination.
Sharif is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sharif circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Sharif, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Sharif against the cage but Sharif circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sharif scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sharif scores with a jab to the head.
Diaz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sharif counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A combination from Sharif does no damage.
Jamel Sharif seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sharif connects with a nice looking jab.
Sharif uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Diaz misses with the combination.
Diaz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sharif sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Diaz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Some wild striking there from Sharif.
Sharif scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sharif manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
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 misses with a takedown attempt - Sharif sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Sharif throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharif just misses with a punch to the body.
Jamel Sharif is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sharif uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sharif looks to land a combination. Diaz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Diaz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Sharif counters with a nice body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Diaz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sharif fails to land with a series of punches.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Sharif sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jamel Sharif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Diaz.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sharif rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sharif fails to land with a series of punches.
Sharif misses with a combination

and Diaz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sharif defending well though.
Diaz is looking to advance position but Sharif won't allow it.
Sharif is controlling Diaz's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Diaz trying to control from half guard but Sharif is working away.

Diaz seems to be working for a kimura but Sharif defends the submission attempt.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Diaz trying to control from half guard but Sharif is working away.
Sharif holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Sharif is trying to get back to full guard.
Diaz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharif makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sharif.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Sharif keeps moving.
Sharif has momentary wrist control but Diaz slips an elbow through the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sharif looking for a sweep. Not yet Sharif, not yet.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Sharif keeps moving.
Sharif wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamel Sharif dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Diaz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sharif makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sharif displaying some good clinch control by pressing Diaz up against the cage.

Diaz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Diaz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Diaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sharif stands and throws Diaz's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Sharif decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jamel Sharif is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharif throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sloppy strikes from Sharif. Those never looked like landing.
Sharif tries to bum rush Diaz with a series of wild strikes but Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diaz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sharif as he avoids it easily.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Sharif sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jamel Sharif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Diaz.
Sharif throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Sharif jabs at Diaz's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharif lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sharif circles away.
A right-left combo lands from Sharif.
Sharif connects with a body shot that sends Diaz's belly button to the back.
Sharif throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
Sharif keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sharif misses with a series of wild punches.
Sharif lands with a nice combination. Diaz backs away looking to recover.
Sharif stuffs the takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sharif stalks Diaz and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Diaz's face. Diaz staggers backwards, shaken.
Diaz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sharif.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
Sharif throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sharif lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sharif is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sharif circles away.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Sharif shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sharif moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sharif throws a right and a left that Diaz avoids nicely.
Diaz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sharif sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sharif with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Jamel Sharif is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharif throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sharif checks a leg kick.
Diaz shoots in and drives through. Sharif sprawls well.
Diaz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sharif.
Sharif with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sharif tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sharif to the ground. Sharif escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sharif scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sharif feints a jab promting Diaz to slip. Sharif then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Diaz slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Nate Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz misses with a hook
and Sharif counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jamel Sharif showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sharif, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Jamel Sharif!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Jamel Sharif!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Jamel Sharif!

Jamel Sharif wins by unanimous decision!