PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AJ Diaz (ranked 6706 p4p, 486 weight class) and Matty Fernandez (ranked 7230 p4p, 511 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Diaz
vs
Fernandez

180 cm
23
153 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, AJ Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matty Fernandez!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Fernandez throws a counter combo.
Fernandez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like AJ Diaz has been cut.

Diaz clinches up against the cage.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but Fernandez has him pressed against the cage.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
Matty Fernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fernandez looks to land a combination but Diaz avoids it well.
Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Fernandez.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
Fernandez throws a one two combo.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sloppy strikes from Fernandez. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Fernandez manages to circle out of the way.
Fernandez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz slips a jab and a cross from Fernandez.
Fernandez looks winded!
Diaz dodges the punch combination from Fernandez.
As Fernandez looks to move away, Diaz throws a big counter combo but Fernandez just gets out of the way.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez looks to land a combination but Diaz avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Despite the aggression on Fernandez's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez is looking for the big counter here.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Diaz dodges the punch combination from Fernandez.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fernandez throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A little feinted left hand from Diaz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fernandez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fernandez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez misses with a left hand

and Diaz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Fernandez won't allow it.
Diaz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Fernandez holds him up against the cage and eventually Diaz drops back down to his feet.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fernandez to keep the fight standing.
Diaz jumps guard but Fernandez stands there with Diaz around his waist. Diaz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz jumps guard but Fernandez stands there with Diaz around his waist. Diaz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diaz jumps guard but Fernandez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Diaz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diaz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fernandez smiles and moves away.
Fernandez misses with a double jab.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fernandez throws a right and a left that Diaz avoids nicely.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Diaz tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Fernandez swinging wildly here.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Fernandez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fernandez misses with a double jab.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Diaz eats them both and turns towards Fernandez to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Fernandez is working the combinations to good effect here.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matty Fernandez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on AJ Diaz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fernandez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fernandez throws a right and a left that Diaz avoids nicely.
Diaz is looking to counter the offense by Fernandez and move into the clinch.
Fernandez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fernandez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez throws a series of punches but Diaz avoids them all with ease.
Diaz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
AJ Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diaz seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fernandez is breathing heavily.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Fernandez misses with a few strikes there.
Fernandez swinging wildly here.
Fernandez misses with a two punch combination.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fernandez is looking for the big counter here.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Fernandez unleashes a big counter combination but Diaz bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Fernandez misses with a few strikes there.
Some wild striking there from Fernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diaz tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernandez misses with a double jab.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Fernandez throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matty Fernandez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As Diaz backs off Fernandez throws a huge counter combo but Diaz manages to avoid it all.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fernandez throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
Fernandez swinging wildly here.

Diaz rushes Fernandez and presses him up against the cage.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Fernandez won't allow it.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Fernandez won't allow it.
Diaz jumps guard but Fernandez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fernandez has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but Fernandez has him pressed against the cage.

Fernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez looks to land a combination but Diaz avoids it well.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
A punch combination from Fernandez misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As Diaz backs off Fernandez throws a huge counter combo but Diaz manages to avoid it all.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Sloppy strikes from Fernandez. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Diaz tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matty Fernandez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on AJ Diaz's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fernandez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from Fernandez misses.
Fernandez misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No joy there for Fernandez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fernandez throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Fernandez's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Diaz slips a jab and a cross from Fernandez.
Fernandez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz tries to clinch there but Fernandez circles away.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Fernandez is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fernandez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Despite the aggression on Fernandez's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Fernandez misses with a double jab.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Fernandez.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Fernandez throws a counter combo.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
AJ Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
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!
Fernandez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernandez throws a counter combo.
Fernandez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz throws a nice looking combination but Fernandez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fernandez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Diaz tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.

Diaz clinches up with Fernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Diaz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fernandez walks away with a smile on his face. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fernandez throws a right hand that Diaz ducks under and follows up with a left that Diaz also avoids with ease.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz tries to clinch there but Fernandez circles away.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Fernandez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diaz.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Fernandez misses with a wild combination.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fernandez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernandez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Sloppy strikes from Fernandez. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez misses with a two punch combination.
Matty Fernandez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fernandez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Fernandez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
As Fernandez looks to move away, Diaz throws a big counter combo but Fernandez just gets out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matty Fernandez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fernandez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 25:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matty Fernandez!