PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Niko Diaz (ranked 2486 p4p, 315 weight class) and Jared Rickenbacker (ranked 5629 p4p, 549 weight class). Niko Diaz has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Diaz
vs
Rickenbacker

182 cm
24
190 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

175 cm
18
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Niko Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jared Rickenbacker!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rickenbacker tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rickenbacker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Diaz throws an overhand right that lands on Rickenbacker's shoulder, as Rickenbacker tries to avoid the shot.
Diaz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jab, jab by Diaz - just one landing.
Diaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rickenbacker tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diaz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

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

Rickenbacker is rocked!
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 stands and throws Rickenbacker's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rickenbacker is still in real trouble! Can Diaz finish him?

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rickenbacker, who protects the arm well.
Rickenbacker seems to have recovered his senses.
Diaz controls the position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Diaz working the ground and pound from side control.
Diaz in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Diaz wants to control but Rickenbacker is keeping him busy.

Diaz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickenbacker looking for a sweep but Diaz has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Diaz is landing with some decent strikes but Rickenbacker is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rickenbacker has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Diaz is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Rickenbacker with him. Rickenbacker is trying to defend but Diaz has an arm under the chin now! Rickenbacker grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Niko Diaz!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Niko Diaz made sure he mentioned Freebok (85% Laundry), along with how happy he was to win his fight.