PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nich DiM (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pettis has chosen DJ Kahli Go Hard as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

DiM
vs
Pettis

180 cm
22
201 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
168 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Fury Nutrition Inc.

The Exiled Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nich DiM!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Pettis!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DiM bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
DiM scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from DiM.
DiM chopping away at his opponent's legs.
DiM pulls out of a head kick attempt.
DiM ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
DiM is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
DiM fakes the leg kick and cracks Pettis in the body.
Pettis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice body kick from DiM.
DiM throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Pettis lands with a right hand.
DiM throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DiM pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiM looks for the body kick but Pettis saw that one coming.
Antonio Pettis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pettis blocks the body kick.
DiM throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Antonio Pettis has been cut.
That kick from DiM tenderised Pettis's leg. Pettis is trying to keep his angry face on.
DiM throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nich DiM seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pettis misses with a wild combination.
DiM throws a wild body kick that Pettis sees coming a mile off.
Pettis swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pettis scores with a body shot.
Good leg kick by DiM there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
DiM throws a head kick but Pettis moves out of range.
DiM tries to land a front kick but Pettis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pettis throws a body punch but DiM moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Pettis avoids the head kick by DiM.
Pettis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by DiM.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pettis checks the leg kick nicely there.
Pettis wants to counter with a clinch but DiM pushes him away.
DiM throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
DiM misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pettis tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

DiM is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pettis's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

DiM is working for a kimura but Pettis is defending it quite comfortably.

DiM is working for a kimura but Pettis is defending it quite comfortably.
DiM scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiM is working for a kimura but Pettis is defending it quite comfortably.

DiM is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pettis looks like he's trying to stand up.
DiM lands strikes from half guard.
DiM is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Pettis tries to get to full guard but DiM has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiM lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pettis felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
DiM uses his free foot to push down on Pettis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pettis.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pettis in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

DiM is working for a guillotine from mount but Pettis frees his head quite easily.
Pettis is trying desperately to improve position.
DiM controlling from mount.

DiM with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Pettis trying desperately to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nich DiM dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Pettis's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from DiM. Pettis shrugs it off though.
DiM lands a nice leg kick that just misses Pettis's sensitive parts.
DiM throws a sloppy head kick and Pettis moves out of range easily.
Pettis pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces DiM back to the cage. Pettis follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Nich DiM is winning the standup battle so far.
DiM shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pettis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
DiM throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pettis counters with a straight right hand.
A punch lands to the side of Pettis 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A head kick by DiM misses
and Pettis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pettis with a jab.
Nich DiM is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DiM throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from DiM.
DiM lets loose with a powerful body kick. Pettis will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis misses with a hook. DiM ducked under it nicely.
As Pettis backs away, DiM returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Both fighters circling a little - DiM finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

DiM closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pettis quickly recovers to half guard.

DiM is looking for a kimura but Pettis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for DiM to get the leverage.
Pettis tries to roll over but DiM keeps him under control.

DiM is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
DiM trying to control from half guard but Pettis is working away.
DiM throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
DiM seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

DiM is working for a kimura but Pettis is defending it quite comfortably.
DiM prevents Pettis from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis is still trying to improve position.
DiM is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pettis can do to turn this around?
DiM not doing much here.
DiM 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.
Pettis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but DiM scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pettis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with DiM. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
DiM stops Pettis from getting back to his feet.
DiM takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pettis is trying to get back to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pettis actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiM is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
DiM looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

DiM wants to work for an arm triangle but Pettis is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Pettis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pettis is breathing heavily.

DiM is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pettis sees it coming and defends easily.
DiM seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
DiM trying to control the action but Pettis is working from the bottom.

DiM is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiM prevents Pettis from improving his position.
DiM slips a nice elbow through Pettis's hands, connecting with Pettis's forehead.
Pettis is staying active underneath DiM, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

DiM is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pettis is just riding it out for now. DiM eventually gives up the hold.
DiM has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

DiM is working for a submission of some sort.
DiM is thwarting Pettis's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nich DiM dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Pettis's cut.
That's time! DiM's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

DiM throws a head kick that misses.
DiM lands with a kick to the ribs.
DiM on the wrong end of a nice jab.
DiM lands a nice leg kick that just misses Pettis's sensitive parts.
DiM with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
DiM thumps Pettis with a low kick.
DiM throws a lazy head kick
and Pettis makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. DiM really felt that one!
DiM takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pettis moves out of range of the body kick from DiM.
DiM uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pettis.
Pettis misses with a wild body shot.
DiM scores with a push kick.
DiM throws a head kick but Pettis moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiM turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
DiM lands a leg kick that knocks Pettis off balance momentarily.
DiM fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
DiM tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Pettis was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
DiM lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pettis at a distance.
Some bone on bone action there as DiM checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
DiM appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
DiM tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pettis defends well and DiM ends up having to push Pettis into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
DiM connects with a jab.
Pettis looks to land a left hand but DiM moved out of range nicely.
DiM feinted with a counter takedown.
DiM has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from DiM there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DiM connects with a leg kick. Pettis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
DiM misses with a body kick.
DiM looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Pettis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
DiM tries to land a front kick but Pettis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pettis! But no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Pettis misses the target.
Pettis's corner calls for a 1-2. Pettis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pettis blocks the body kick.
DiM throws a head kick but Pettis moves out of range.
DiM dives in and grabs Pettis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pettis pushes down on DiM's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nich DiM. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pettis working hard to break the clinch.
Pettis is trying to break the clinch but DiM has him pressed against the cage.
Pettis is looking to break free of the clinch but DiM has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiM manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pettis is stalling in the full guard.
DiM is pulling down on Pettis's head to control his posture.
Nich DiM overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pettis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pettis is fighting to break DiM's control of his arms but DiM is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pettis tries to stand but DiM is controlling from the bottom.
Pettis trying to control but DiM is working from the bottom.
DiM manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pettis manages to get himself to full guard.

DiM keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pettis's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiM trying to control the position from guard on top but Pettis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DiM prevents Pettis from getting back to his feet.
DiM is working Pettis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Antonio Pettis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

Pettis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and DiM defends well.
DiM passes into half guard.
DiM is nestled in close to Pettis, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
DiM looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pettis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nich DiM is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
DiM is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nich DiM showed his dominance in that final round.
Well DiM 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nich DiM!
During a confident post fight interview, Nich DiM thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Antonio Pettis spoke after the fight, saying 'ILL BE BACK, IN THE WINNING COLUM SOON...GOD BLESS ALL'.