PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mario Diaz (ranked 5559 p4p, 231 weight class) and Rodrigo De Lima (ranked 5624 p4p, 234 weight class). De Lima has chosen Linkin Park - Numb as his entrance music. Rodrigo De Lima has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diaz
vs
De Lima

170 cm
25
142 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mario Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo De Lima!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Lima scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from De Lima.
De Lima lands a slapping body shot.
Diaz slips under a jab from De Lima.
Diaz with a lazy takedown attempt
and De Lima counters with a two punch combo.
De Lima misses with a two punch combination.

Diaz drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz trying to control the action but De Lima is working from the bottom.
De Lima is looking to reverse the position.
De Lima struggling a bit here.
De Lima manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Lima is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Lima is not content to let Diaz control the position.
Diaz is looking to advance position but De Lima won't allow it.
De Lima is trying to control but can't.
Diaz looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

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

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.
De Lima is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
De Lima is not content to let Diaz control the position.

Diaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Diaz wants to control but De Lima is keeping him busy.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
De Lima wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Donk. De Lima catches Diaz right on the button with a cross.
Rodrigo De Lima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
De Lima throws out a powerful jab.
Rodrigo De Lima seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Lima throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
De Lima throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Diaz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Lima throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diaz.
De Lima loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
De Lima has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? De Lima is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, De Lima circles away and we're back to standing.
De Lima swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
De Lima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
De Lima lunges at Diaz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Diaz's hand.
De Lima looks to land a combination but Diaz avoids it well.
Diaz throws a big counter combination but De Lima scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
De Lima defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
De Lima has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De Lima shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Diaz eats them both and turns towards De Lima to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from De Lima misses.
A nice combination there by De Lima.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and De Lima takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Diaz is rocked!
Diaz seems to be squinting his left eye. Perhaps he got a poke in that previous exchange. De Lima shows no mercy and swarms him with a barage of strikes! Diaz is backing up but De Lima catches him with a final right hook that drops him! Diaz covers up and the referee steps in to end the fight! De Lima Jumps to his feet and flashes his guns to the crowd. Oh yeah, baby! How'd you like them apples?!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rodrigo De Lima!
A relieved looking Rodrigo De Lima thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.