PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Serafim Lupei (ranked 1512 p4p, 183 weight class) and Vape Diaz (ranked 1777 p4p, 218 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Vape Diaz enters the cage!

Lupei
vs
Diaz

184 cm
23
167 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

184 cm
25
162 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Serafim Lupei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vape Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Steve Montenegro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lupei throws a looping overhand right but Diaz ducks down to avoid it.
Lupei pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A little jabbing left from Diaz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lupei misses with a hook. Diaz ducked under it nicely.
Lupei throws a shot to the body.
Diaz lands an overhand right.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lupei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lupei uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diaz.
Lupei misses with a looping left.
Diaz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lupei. Lupei obviously looking to wear him down.
Lupei dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz throws a right hand that misses
and Lupei counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lupei fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Diaz throws an off balance right hand
and Lupei counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Diaz misses with a shot to the body
and Lupei counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Diaz gets tackled into the cage by Lupei. Lupei maintains the clinch.
Diaz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lupei misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Lupei breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lupei misses with a head kick.
As Lupei backs off Diaz throws a huge counter combo but Lupei manages to avoid it all.
Lupei misses the jab.
Lupei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Diaz lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A telegraphed right hand from Lupei misses the target.
Lupei slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Diaz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lupei on the side of the head.
Diaz tests Lupei's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei is looking to clinch but Diaz is avoiding it.
Lupei throws the left hand but Diaz avoids the punch easily.
Lupei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Lupei wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lupei lands a body shot.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Diaz misses.
Lupei dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Diaz. That did some damage!
Diaz throws an overhand right that lands on Lupei's shoulder, as Lupei tries to avoid the shot.
Lupei lands with a thumping leg kick.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Lupei is looking to counter with a body kick.

Lupei closes the distance and clinches.
Diaz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lupei fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lupei gets a clinch.
Diaz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Lupei breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lupei tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lupei lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Diaz at a distance.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lupei.
Lupei connects with a nice looking jab.
Lupei getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lupei lands a lovely overhand right.
Lupei looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Serafim Lupei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lupei doesn't manage to clinch there - Diaz circles away.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lupei.
Lupei lands a nice hook to Diaz's body. Diaz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz takes a swing at Lupei's ribcage but misses.
Diaz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Serafim Lupei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lupei closes the distance looking to clinch
and Diaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lupei scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lupei moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz throws a head kick but Lupei moves out of range.
Diaz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lupei bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lupei.
Diaz doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Diaz misses with an uppercut
and Lupei counters with a low kick, right behind Diaz 's knee.
Lupei throws a body punch but Diaz moves out of range.
Lupei fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Diaz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serafim Lupei dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lupei fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Diaz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Diaz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lupei does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lupei manages to avoid it.
Diaz takes one to the chin there.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lupei misses with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lupei.
Diaz scores with a one two! Lupei had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.
Diaz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lupei uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diaz.
An inside leg kick lands from Lupei.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lupei looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei blocks a jab.
Lupei jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lupei pushes Diaz away with a front kick.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Lupei was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Lupei gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lupei has him pressed against the cage.
Lupei lands a shot to the body.
A short uppercut from Lupei.
Lupei throws a punch but it's blocked by Diaz.
Lupei is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Diaz wants to break free but Lupei has control.
Diaz lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lupei creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lupei lands with a left to the head.
Lupei lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lupei gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lupei gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Lupei breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lupei tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Serafim Lupei is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei moves in looking to clinch but Diaz pushes him off.
Diaz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A cross from Lupei lands.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Lupei moves out of range.
Lupei went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A clash of legs there as Diaz blocks the low kick.
Diaz misses with a body shot.

Lupei gets a clinch.
Lupei misses with the head strike.
Lupei blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lupei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Diaz misses with a punch on the inside.
Diaz working hard to break the clinch.
Diaz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Diaz tries to break free but Lupei pushes him back against the cage.
Lupei tries a body shot but Diaz blocks it.
Lupei scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hand to the body from Lupei.
Lupei scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lupei gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lupei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Lupei - that landed with a thud.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Lupei controls the action.
Lupei lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Lupei misses with a short punch on the inside.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diaz misses with the head strike.
Diaz tries to score a body lock takedown but Lupei shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lupei throws a head punch that misses.
Diaz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Diaz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lupei lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Diaz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Lupei.
A nice left hand lands by Diaz.
Diaz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lupei fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lupei uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diaz.
Diaz keeps the fight on the outside.
Jab by Lupei.

Diaz is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lupei throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lupei lands a jab to the nose.
Diaz is still on wobbly legs! Can Lupei finish him?
Lupei throws the left hand but Diaz avoids the punch easily.
Diaz seems to have recovered his senses.

Lupei closes the distance and pushes Diaz back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diaz.
Lupei displaying some good clinch control by pressing Diaz up against the cage.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lupei has him pressed against the cage.
Lupei lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lupei throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Lupei's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lupei tries to clinch there but Diaz circles away.
Diaz lands a jab to Lupei's midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lupei blocks a jab.
Lupei was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lupei thumps Diaz with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serafim Lupei dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lupei scores with a crisp jab that stopped Diaz in his tracks.

Lupei closes the distance and clinches.
Lupei scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lupei is stalling here.
Lupei throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Diazs head.
Diaz is trying to force a seperation but Lupei has the dominant position.
Lupei scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diaz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Serafim Lupei has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lupei displaying some good clinch control by pressing Diaz up against the cage.
Diaz tries to work over Lupei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lupei just stands there and leans against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Lupei.
Diaz is looking to break free of the clinch but Lupei has double underhooks.
Diaz misses with a body punch.
Lupei scores with a shot to the side of Diaz's head.
Lupei lands a body shot in the clinch.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lupei scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei lands with a right to the head.
Diaz misses with the head strike.
Diaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Lupei uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lupei lands a left hand that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Lupei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diaz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lupei slowing the pace effectively.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lupei takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but Lupei uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lupei rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lupei steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diaz.
Lupei swings widly with a right hand
and Diaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lupei throws an off balance right hand
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Lupei.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lupei clinches with his opponent.
Lupei blocks an uppercut.
Diaz takes a shot to the head.
Lupei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lupei lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short right from Lupei.
Good body shot from Lupei.
A hook to the body from Lupei.
Nice body punch from Lupei - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Lupei - that landed with a thud.
A body shot lands from Lupei.
A short right from Lupei on the inside.
Lupei lands a hook that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Lupei lands a nice uppercut.
Diaz takes a shot to the head.
Lupei works on Diaz's body with a couple of short punches.
Lupei scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei lands with a right to the head.

Lupei escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lupei lands a nice shot that snaps Diaz's head back.
That kick from Lupei tenderised Diaz's leg. Diaz is trying to keep his angry face on.

Lupei has managed to clinch.
Lupei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lupei stalling in the clinch.
Lupei makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lupei has Diaz pushed against the cage.

Lupei escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Lupei has managed to clinch.
Lupei throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lupei stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Lupei won't allow it.
Diaz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diaz is trying to force a seperation but Lupei has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupei gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
Lupei scores with a shoulder strike.
Lupei struggles to land a body shot inside as Diaz controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Diaz.
Lupei lands a nice shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lupei.
Lupei lands a nice shot to the body.
Lupei scores with a hook to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Lupei lands a body shot.
Vape Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Serafim Lupei is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lupei scores with a hook to the body.
Lupei is leaning against Diaz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good body shot from Lupei.
Still in the clinch, Lupei scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lupei lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Diaz misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serafim Lupei showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lupei 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serafim Lupei!
Our winner, Serafim Lupei, 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.