PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Diaz (ranked 6590 p4p, 4422 weight class) and Ben Neidlinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Diaz has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Diaz
vs
Neidlinger

183 cm
22
170
4 - 13 - 0

179 cm
24
176
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

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 4 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Neidlinger!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz moves into range and clinches up with Neidlinger.

Neidlinger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Neidlinger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Neidlinger is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Neidlinger moves out of range of the body kick from Diaz.
Neidlinger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Neidlinger's waist but Neidlinger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nick Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries to clinch but Neidlinger moves out of range.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neidlinger as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Neidlinger is out of range.
Neidlinger lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Diaz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Neidlinger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Neidlinger stuffs the takedown attempt from Diaz. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet.
As Diaz backs off Neidlinger throws a huge counter combo but Diaz manages to avoid it all.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Neidlinger saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but Neidlinger sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Neidlinger throws a counter combo.
Neidlinger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Diaz's head.
Diaz has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Neidlinger.
Neidlinger blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Neidlinger pushes him off.
Neidlinger cracks Diaz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Neidlinger throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Diaz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Neidlinger swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neidlinger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Neidlinger counters with a nice body kick.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Neidlinger swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neidlinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Neidlinger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Diaz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Neidlinger can pounce on him.
Neidlinger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Diaz.
Neidlinger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Diaz misses with a hook. Neidlinger ducked under it nicely.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Neidlinger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Neidlinger manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Neidlinger tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Neidlinger manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Neidlinger sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Neidlinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Neidlinger, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Neidlinger against the cage but Neidlinger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Neidlinger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Diaz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Neidlinger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Neidlinger pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Diaz back to the cage. Neidlinger follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Neidlinger dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Neidlinger bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Diaz's head.
Neidlinger thumps Diaz with a low kick.
A nice combination there by Neidlinger.
Neidlinger has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Neidlinger's waist but Neidlinger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Neidlinger swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Ben Neidlinger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Neidlinger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Neidlinger as he avoids it easily.
A combination from Diaz does no damage.
Neidlinger connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Neidlinger. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neidlinger lands a head kick. Diaz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Neidlinger!
Neidlinger's corner calls for a 1-2. Neidlinger obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Neidlinger swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.

Neidlinger rushes Diaz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neidlinger tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Diaz smiles and moves away.
Neidlinger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick misses from Neidlinger.
Diaz misses with a straight left.

Diaz has managed to clinch.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Neidlinger won't allow it.

Neidlinger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neidlinger lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Neidlinger with a nice calf kick.
Neidlinger throws a series of punches but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Neidlinger delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neidlinger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diaz circles away quickly and effectively.
Neidlinger misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Neidlinger but Neidlinger pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Diaz backs off Neidlinger throws a huge counter combo but Diaz manages to avoid it all.

Neidlinger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Diaz is trying to drag Neidlinger to the mat but Neidlinger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Neidlinger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Neidlinger avoids a kick to the body.
Neidlinger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Diaz.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Neidlinger circles away.
Neidlinger connects with the punch.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Neidlinger ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Neidlinger lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Neidlinger lands a high kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neidlinger with a nice calf kick.
Neidlinger tries to clinch up
and Diaz counters with a series of strikes. Neidlinger will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Neidlinger tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Neidlinger to the ground. Neidlinger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Neidlinger keeps the fight on the outside.
Neidlinger throws a nice head kick!
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Neidlinger sprawls well. Neidlinger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neidlinger lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Neidlinger as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Neidlinger.

Neidlinger moves into range and clinches up with Diaz.
Diaz is trying to push Neidlinger away but Neidlinger has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neidlinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Neidlinger clinches up against the cage.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz throws a body shot but no joy.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz tries to land a body kick
and Neidlinger counters with a nice leg kick.
Neidlinger lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Diaz. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Diaz closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Neidlinger's guard.

Neidlinger pushes Diaz off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neidlinger thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Diaz if he has to take too many more of those.

Diaz rushes Neidlinger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Neidlinger breaks the clinch.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Neidlinger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
Neidlinger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nick Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Neidlinger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Neidlinger thumps Diaz with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Neidlinger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Neidlinger has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Neidlinger!
A less than humble Ben Neidlinger misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.