PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Neo DiCaprio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nucky DIaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nucky DIaz has the eye of the tiger tonight.

DiCaprio
vs
DIaz

180 cm
19
148 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

150 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Neo DiCaprio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nucky DIaz!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DiCaprio jabs DIaz right on the nose. DIaz blinks but takes it well.
DIaz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
DIaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by DiCaprio.

DIaz darts in and clinches DiCaprio up against the cage.

DIaz has DiCaprio pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. DIaz pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending DiCaprio tumbling to the mat - DIaz dives into DiCaprio's guard.
DIaz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

DiCaprio has his foot on DIaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DIaz works his way back into a safe position though.

DiCaprio has his foot on DIaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DIaz works his way back into a safe position though.
DiCaprio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as DIaz controls the pace.

DiCaprio has an active guard here but DIaz has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

DiCaprio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
DIaz has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA London. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.
DIaz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
DIaz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with DiCaprio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DIaz looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
DIaz's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.
DIaz sitting and controlling from the half guard.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.

That's four 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.

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
DIaz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
DIaz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Neo DiCaprio will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

DiCaprio keeps the fight on the outside.
DIaz dives in and grabs DiCaprio's left leg, looking for a takedown. DiCaprio pushes down on DIaz's head and hops out.
DiCaprio clobbers DIaz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
DIaz shoots in but DiCaprio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
DiCaprio drops down looking for a counter takedown but DIaz sprawls and moves away.
DiCaprio throws a good cross that connects.
The fighters circle momentarily. DiCaprio darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
DIaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
DiCaprio drops down looking for a counter takedown but DIaz sprawls and moves away.
Neo DiCaprio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nucky DIaz.
DIaz misses with a double jab.
It looks like DiCaprio has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Neo DiCaprio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

DIaz closes the distance and clinches.

DIaz has picked DiCaprio up - he's going for a ride! DIaz dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

DiCaprio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.
DiCaprio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from DIaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DIaz wants to stand but DiCaprio has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

DiCaprio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but DIaz pulls his head out easily.

DiCaprio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but DIaz pulls his head out easily.
DiCaprio moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

DiCaprio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
DIaz content to stall in guard here.
Let's hope that DIaz has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

DiCaprio is looking for a triangle but DIaz pushes his legs off easily.

DiCaprio has his foot on DIaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DIaz works his way back into a safe position though.

DiCaprio looking for a guillotine here but DIaz defends easily.
DIaz is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiCaprio had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. DIaz defends it easily.

DiCaprio working for a triangle but DIaz defends it easily.

DiCaprio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DIaz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

DiCaprio looking for submissions from the bottom but instead DIaz passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
DIaz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

DiCaprio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

DiCaprio looking for a kimura from the bottom but DIaz passes into side control!
DiCaprio tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DIaz is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from DIaz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Neo DiCaprio will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds 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.

DIaz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but DiCaprio defends well and DIaz ends up having to push DiCaprio into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
DiCaprio lands a head shot.
DiCaprio dips to his left and cracks DIaz with an uppercut!
DiCaprio listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
DIaz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A jab lands there for DiCaprio.
DIaz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
DIaz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
DiCaprio jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
DiCaprio bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
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!
Nice uppercut there from DiCaprio.

DiCaprio tries to sprawl but DIaz drives through with a takedown into half guard.

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.
DiCaprio is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that DIaz can do to turn this around?

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nucky DIaz has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DIaz is figuring out what he wants to do next.

DiCaprio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but DIaz pulls his head out easily.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
DiCaprio wants to get back to full guard.

DiCaprio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
DIaz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

DiCaprio actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
DIaz tries to pass to full mount but DiCaprio defends it.
DIaz looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

DiCaprio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but DIaz pulls his head out easily.
DIaz controlling the pace.

DiCaprio looking for submissions off his back.
DiCaprio slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiCaprio has his foot on DIaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DIaz works his way back into a safe position though.

DiCaprio has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but DIaz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
DIaz engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

DiCaprio has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but DIaz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
DIaz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
DIaz looking to pass the guard.
DiCaprio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
DIaz won't allow DiCaprio to sweep him here.

DiCaprio is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and DIaz defends well.
DIaz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

DIaz got a little sloppy there for a moment and DiCaprio has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, DIaz has managed to get both his arms back between DiCaprio's legs - danger averted.
DiCaprio being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neo DiCaprio showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DiCaprio, 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Neo DiCaprio!
Our winner, Neo DiCaprio, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.