PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russell Paulman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santiago Diablo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Paulman might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to War is my Love . I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Santiago Diablo was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Paulman
vs
Diablo

183 cm
30
180 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

178 cm
30
182 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Russell Paulman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santiago Diablo!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diablo dives in for a single leg takedown but Paulman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Diablo stuffs the takedown attempt from Paulman. Paulman gets slowly back to his feet.

Paulman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Diablo quickly recovers to half guard.
Well, if Paulman is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Diablo is not content to let Paulman control the position.
Paulman prevents Diablo from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulman content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diablo wants to control but Paulman is keeping busy.
Paulman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've been hearing good reports from Paulman's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Paulman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Paulman keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Paulman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diablo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Paulman perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Diablo wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Paulman in particular looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Paulman fails with a takedown attempt.
Paulman shoots in for a takedown but Diablo shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russell Paulman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paulman is looking to clinch but Diablo is avoiding it.
Diablo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Paulman fails with a takedown attempt.
Paulman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diablo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Paulman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diablo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Paulman tries for a takedown but Diablo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Paulman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diablo pinned against the cage. Diablo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paulman is breathing heavily.

Paulman tries to sprawl but Diablo drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diablo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Paulman is trying to maintain the position but Diablo is very close to passing his half guard.
Diablo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paulman controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Diablo lands with a punch from half guard.
Paulman wants to control but Diablo is keeping busy.
Paulman is not content to let Diablo control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Paulman taking some punishment here, with Diablo in his half guard.
Diablo is looking to take a break and control but Paulman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Paulman is holding on to half guard well.
Paulman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Paulman holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Diablo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diablo thows a huge punch but Paulman dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Paulman wants to improve his position but Diablo is controlling well.
Paulman is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Diablo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diablo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Diablo won't allow Paulman to sweep him here.
Paulman can't keep his opponent in guard - Diablo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Paulman wants to get back to full guard.
Paulman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Paulman is controlling Diablo's posture.
Diablo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paulman trying to control the position.
Diablo is working Paulman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diablo advances position into side control!
Diablo lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Paulman down.
Diablo working away.
Paulman is trying to escape the position but Diablo is controlling the position.
Paulman tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulman gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Paulman trying to hold on to Diablo's head to control him but Diablo postures up.
Diablo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Diablo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Paulman is looking to escape.
Paulman working to try and regain half guard.
Paulman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Diablo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Diablo with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paulman is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Diablo takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Paulman is trying to escape the mount.
Diablo content just to control the position here.
Diablo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Diablo prevents Paulman from getting the reversal.
Paulman wants to hold on but Diablo pushes him away.
Paulman is in all sorts of trouble here.
Diablo controlling the pace for now.
Paulman keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diablo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Diablo postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Paulman looks a forlorn figure.
Paulman is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Paulman wants to control but Diablo is having none of it.
Paulman is looking to get to half guard.
Diablo working Paulman over with strikes here.
Paulman tries to hold on but Diablo postures up.

Paulman defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Diablo.
Paulman tries to lock up and control but Diablo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paulman is looking to get to half guard.
Diablo controlling from mount.
Paulman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Santiago Diablo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paulman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Paulman wants to hold on but Diablo pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diablo with shots to the head and body - Paulman looks very uncomfortable down there.
Paulman wants to control but Diablo is having none of it.
Paulman is in a horrible position here. Diablo smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Diablo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Diablo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Paulman defends well and Diablo ends up having to push Paulman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Paulman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diablo avoids it really well and circles away.
Diablo scores with a decent looking hook.
Paulman staying out of range there.
Diablo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Diablo wants it to stay on the feet.
Diablo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paulman goes for a double leg but Diablo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diablo continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russell Paulman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paulman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diablo.

It looks like Russell Paulman has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paulman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diablo tries to avoid it but Paulman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diablo to the ground. Diablo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diablo with a hook.

Diablo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Diablo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Paulman's face as Diablo controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Diablo trying to control the position but Paulman is working away.
Diablo in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Paulman is not content to let Diablo control the position.
Diablo content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Paulman tries to bench press Diablo off him but Diablo keeps the position.

That's two 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.
You can see the frustration on Paulman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Diablo controls the position from side control.
Paulman is trying to control Diablo's posture but Diablo avoids it.
Diablo happy to just control the position for now.
Paulman is looking to regain half guard here but Diablo keeps moving and retains side control.
Diablo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paulman keeps working.
Diablo scoring with punches from side control.
Paulman is being controlled here.
Santiago Diablo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulman is trying to control Diablo's posture but Diablo avoids it.
Paulman tries to buck Diablo off but Diablo is having none of it.
Diablo working away.
Diablo is staying tight to Paulman's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Paulman is not content to let Diablo control the position.
Diablo controls the position.
Paulman manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Russell Paulman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diablo controlling the pace.
Paulman is looking to control Diablo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Paulman avoid being mounted?
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Diablo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paulman dives in for a single leg takedown but Diablo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Paulman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diablo's waist but Diablo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Paulman off to one side.
Santiago Diablo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Diablo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Paulman.
Diablo changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diablo throws out a powerful jab.
A punch lands to the side of Paulman 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Diablo scores with a jab. Paulman acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Paulman shoots in but Diablo avoids the takedown attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santiago Diablo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Diablo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Diablo!