PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Herbert Mullin (ranked 776 p4p, 88 weight class) and Diego Oriola (ranked 233 p4p, 32 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Mullin
vs
Oriola

185 cm
23
165 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

174 cm
22
165 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Herbert Mullin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Diego Oriola!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mullin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Oriola counters with a shoot takedown. Mullin fights it but they end up in guard.

Mullin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Oriola can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Oriola stands and throws Mullin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Oriola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mullin keeps working.
Mullin is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mullin taking punishment in the form of punches.

Oriola wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mullin, who protects the arm well.
Oriola has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Oriola 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.
Mullin wants to control but Oriola postures up.
Oriola takes a little break here. Mullin wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Mullin tries to improve position but can't.

Oriola tries for a kimura but Mullin is defending well.
Mullin prevents Oriola from improving position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Oriola goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mullin has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Oriola but great work by Mullin.
Oriola struggling a bit here.
Oriola gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Oriola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mullin pulls his head out easily.
Oriola is looking to improve his position.
Oriola moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oriola working a defensive guard here.
Oriola wants to sweep but no luck.

Oriola is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mullin defends well.

Oriola working for a triangle but Mullin defends it easily.
Mullin tries to stand but Oriola is controlling from the bottom.

That's four 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.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Oriola working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mullin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mullin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mullin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Oriola is looking for a triangle but Mullin pushes his legs off easily.
Mullin wants to stand but Oriola is controlling his posture from full guard.

Oriola working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mullin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mullin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Oriola has his foot on Mullin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mullin works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Oriola 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.

Mullin misses with a double jab.
Oriola with the counter takedown but Mullin avoids it easily.
Oriola will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mullin's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mullin duly obliges.
Mullin throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Oriola tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mullin throws a shot from downtown. Oriola moves away and avoids it.
Oriola drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mullin defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mullin misses with a left hand
and Oriola counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mullin's knee momentarily.
Mullin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Oriola.
Herbert Mullin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Oriola throws a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oriola takes one on the button.
Mullin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Oriola takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mullin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Oriola with the counter takedown but Mullin avoids it easily.
Mullin looks to land a combination but Oriola avoids it well.
Oriola tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mullin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Oriola counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Oriola is looking for a kimura but Mullin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Oriola to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oriola moves into full mount! Mullin won't be happy about that!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Oriola goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Mullin turns into him and now he's in Oriola's guard.

Mullin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Oriola is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diego Oriola has got the better of the ground game so far.
Oriola is looking to sweep but instead, Mullin has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oriola tries to get to full guard but Mullin has control of the leg.
Oriola keeps trying to improve his position.
Oriola is pressing down on Mullin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mullin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Oriola escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mullin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Oriola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.
Oriola has a closed guard, preventing Mullin from standing up.

Oriola is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mullin is aware though and is defending well.
Mullin is looking to stand up but Oriola won't let him.
Oriola bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mullin's guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Oriola avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mullin keeping moving, preventing Oriola from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herbert Mullin dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mullin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Oriola.
Oriola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mullin throws a good cross that connects.
Mullin misses with a hook. Oriola ducked under it nicely.
Oriola with the counter takedown but Mullin avoids it easily.
Mullin misses with a jab, cross combination.
And Oriola tries to counter it with a takedown but Mullin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mullin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mullin misses with an uppercut.
Oriola tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mullin.
Mullin takes a swing at Oriola's ribcage but misses.
Oriola changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Herbert Mullin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mullin throws a good cross that connects.
Mullin throws a shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mullin, as that shot connected.
Mullin lands a really nice looking cross but Oriola seems unphased.
Mullin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A countering left hand to the body from Oriola misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Oriola drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mullin defends it well.
Oriola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mullin.
Oriola feints the counter takedown.
Mullin throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Mullin scores with a body shot.
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!
Mullin throws a jab when Oriola was well out of range.
Oriola is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mullin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
No joy there for Mullin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mullin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullin misses with a series of wild punches.
Oriola with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mullin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Oriola drops his hands momentarily and Mullin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Oriola throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mullin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Oriola counters with a takedown into side control.
Oriola wants to control but Mullin is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oriola working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mullin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Oriola looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Oriola wants to control but Mullin is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herbert Mullin clearly takes 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.

No joy there for Mullin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Oriola is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mullin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oriola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mullin swinging wildly here.
Oriola feints the counter takedown.
Oriola fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oriola displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mullin throws out the jab.
Oriola drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mullin defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Oriola counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Mullin!

Oriola looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mullin tries to bench press Oriola off him but Oriola keeps the position.
The ground and pound from Oriola seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Oriola tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Oriola tries to advance to mount but Mullin denies him.
Mullin is looking for a sweep.
Oriola is looking to take a break and control but Mullin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Oriola controlling from the full mount.
Mullin is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Oriola has taken his back.

Mullin defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Oriola looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mullin passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oriola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mullin wants to stand up but Oriola is controlling the position.
Oriola tries to roll over but Mullin keeps him under control.
Mullin tries to stand but can't do so whilst Oriola controls his leg.

Mullin moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Oriola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mullin gets to mount! Oriola was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Oriola wants to hold on but Mullin pushes him away.
Oriola sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Oriola wants to control but Mullin is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oriola tries to roll over but Mullin keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Diego Oriola will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mullin falls off balance throwing a combination

and Oriola counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mullin won't be happy with that.

Oriola working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mullin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Oriola wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oriola creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mullin sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Oriola wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mullin, who protects the arm well.

Oriola looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Oriola wants to finish this one by submission but Mullin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Oriola.
Mullin is trying desperately to improve position.
Oriola controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oriola lands a big elbow.
Oriola wants to control the pace but Mullin is squirming around nicely.
Mullin in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Oriola throwing strikes here but Mullin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Oriola is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Mullin has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Mullin!

Mullin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Oriola has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mullin has managed to get both his arms back between Oriola's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullin tries to stand but Oriola is controlling from the bottom.

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

Oriola throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mullin escapes and throws Oriola's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Oriola tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four 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.
Oriola trying to control but Mullin flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Mullin has the hooks in. Oriola is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Oriola trying to control the position but Mullin manages to sink in the hooks.
I would not like to be Oriola right now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mullin doesn't have the hooks in and Oriola manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oriola slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Oriola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Oriola has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Herbert Mullin!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Herbert Mullin!

Herbert Mullin wins by majority decision!
Herbert Mullin is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Herbert Mullin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.