PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Diaz (ranked 1595 p4p, 214 weight class) and Wesley Poker (ranked 3160 p4p, 376 weight class). Diaz kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Troublesome '96 - 2pac. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Diaz
vs
Poker

183 cm
26
169 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mario Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wesley Poker!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poker misses with a double jab.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Poker.
Diaz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Diaz moves into the clinch successfully.
Poker is trying to force a seperation but Diaz has the dominant position.
Diaz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Poker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Diaz.
Poker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diaz is fending him off so far but Poker persists. Nope, Diaz circles away and we're back to standing.

Poker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Diaz, pushing him back against the cage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poker wants to land a leg kick but Diaz is out of range.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Poker is looking to clinch.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Mario Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Poker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diaz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Poker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Poker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Poker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Diaz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Diaz moves into the clinch.
Diaz struggles to land a body shot inside as Poker controls his hands.
Diaz dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Diaz misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Diaz has Poker pushed against the cage.

Diaz breaks the clinch.
Poker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to avoid it but Poker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diaz to the ground. Diaz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diaz works over Poker's head and body with a nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poker misses with a combination
and Diaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wesley Poker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Diaz closes the distance and clinches.

Poker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Poker.
Poker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Poker misses its intended target.
Poker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Diaz swivels and escapes.
Mario Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wesley Poker.

Diaz closes the distance and clinches.

Poker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Poker works the jab nicely.
Diaz clobbers Poker with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Poker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz takes one to the chin there.
Poker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Poker shoots and misses
and Diaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Poker is rocked!
Poker looks winded!
Diaz throws an uppercut from hell that sends Poker clean off his feet! He's out cold! Diaz stands back and admires his work as he thinks about that KO of the night award that is surely being wrapped up for him back stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mario Diaz!
In his post fight interview, Mario Diaz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.