PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dan Diego (ranked 4058 p4p, 24339 weight class) and Gonzo Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzo Souza has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Diego
vs
Souza

170 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
155
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Diego!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gonzo Souza!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souza takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Diego cracks Souza with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dan Diego seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diego with a hook.
Diego swings for the body but Souza moves out of range.
Souza uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diego.
Souza shoots in but no luck this time.
Souza fails to land the takedown.
It looked like Diego wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A jab from Diego misses.
Souza moves out of range as Diego strikes.
Diego uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Souza has time to react.
Diego scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Diego catches Souza with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Souza bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diego throws out a powerful jab.
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!
Diego sizes up Souza with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Souza moves forwards but Diego connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Souza's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Diego connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Souza scrambles back to his feet.
Diego throws a jab but it's blocked by Souza.
Souza takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza throws a low kick but Diego moves out of range easily.
Diego misses with a series of wild punches.
Diego uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Souza has time to react.
Dan Diego is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Souza ducks under a wild hook from Diego.
Diego throws a shot from downtown. Souza moves away and avoids it.
Souza is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Souza has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Souza there as he acknowledges the shot.
Souza takes one on the button.
Diego throws a hook but Souza blocks it.
The fighters circling - Diego throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Diego throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diego throws a lazy uppercut

and Souza counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Souza.

Souza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Diego misses with a hook. Souza ducked under it nicely.
Souza tries to counter by closing the distance.
Diego blocks a leg kick.
Diego looks to throw the jab but Souza is out of range.
Diego throws a hook but Souza avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Souza gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diego.
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!
Diego throws a looping overhand right but Souza ducks down to avoid it.
Souza takes a jab right on the kisser.
Diego lunges at Souza with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Souza's hand.
Diego darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Diego tries to sprawl but Souza drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Diego wants to get back to full guard.
Souza trying to control the action but Diego is working from the bottom.
Diego tries to roll over but Souza keeps him under control.
Diego trying to control but Souza postures up.
Souza not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Diego is looking for a sweep. Souza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza is looking for a kimura here.

Souza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Diego sees it coming and defends easily.
Diego wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diego preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Souza working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Souza moves into full mount! Diego won't be happy about that!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Souza is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Diego is surviving well by controlling Souza's body position as best he can.
Diego wants to hold on but Souza pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Diego can't escape the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diego looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
You can see the frustration on Diego's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Souza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Souza biding his time, controlling Diego.
Diego wants to control his opponent's hands but Souza gets his hands free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Souza shoots for a takedown but Diego saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Diego misses the target.
Diego throws a sloppy head kick and Souza moves out of range easily.
Souza defending well as Diego loads up on a big left hand.
Souza feints the counter takedown.
A jab from Diego does it's job there.
Souza bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diego throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Souza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Diego defends it well.
Souza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diego.
Diego with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Souza slips under a jab from Diego.
Despite the aggression on Souza's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Diego misses with a hook.
Gonzo Souza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Souza closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Diego is trying to break the clinch but Souza has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diego managing to block the knees to the body from Souza.
Diego is trying to push Souza away but Souza has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Souza blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Diego creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Souza is trying to drag Diego to the mat but Diego just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Diego has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Diego taking a breather.
Souza is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Diego is defending well.
Dan Diego has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gonzo Souza.
Diego slows down the pace here.
Souza is trying to drag Diego to the mat but Diego just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Souza jumps guard but Diego stands there with Souza around his waist. Souza gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diego lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Diego tries to break free but Souza pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego tries to break the clinch but Souza is controlling the position.
Diego softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Diego lands with a short shot to the head.
Diego fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Diego softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Diego lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Souza backwards.
A short right from Diego on the inside.
Souza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diego just stands there and leans against the cage.
Souza can't get the takedown.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Diego creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Diego is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Souza can do to turn this around?
Souza is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Souza is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diego is trying to break the clinch but Souza has him pressed against the cage.
Souza tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Diego smiles and moves away.
Diego misses with a jab, cross combination.
Diego looks to land a right hand but Souza moved out of range.
Diego is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Diego throws a hook but Souza avoids it easily.
Souza shoots in for a takedown but Diego shows good takedown defense.

Diego clinches with his opponent.
Diego wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Diego is trying to break free.
Diego lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Diego is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Souza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diego tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Diego swings wildly with an uppercut but Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diego throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Souzas head.
Souza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diego after a bit of a struggle.

Souza manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Souza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diego doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diego manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diego's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Diego trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Diego is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Diego wants to pass the guard but Souza is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Diego dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Souza slips a jab from Diego.
Dan Diego is winning the standup battle so far.
Diego connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diego jabs Souza right on the nose. Souza blinks but takes it well.
Souza on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A jab lands there for Diego.
Diego tries to work over Souza's front leg with a kick but Souza checks it.
Souza is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Souza misses with a body shot.
Diego misses with a straight left.
Souza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diego throws out the jab.
Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diego's waist but Diego gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Souza off to one side.
The fighters circling - Diego throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Souza has a takedown stuffed.
Diego swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diego closes the distance and clinches.
Souza is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Diego to keep the fight standing.
Dan Diego has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gonzo Souza.
Souza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice left hand lands by Diego.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Diego is trying to force a seperation but Souza has the dominant position.
Diego lands a hook to the side of the head.
Diego scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Souza has a couple of punches blocked by Diego.
Diego misses with a hook from the clinch.
Souza being controlled against the cage.
Souza's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Souza is rocked!
Souza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diego just stands there and leans against the cage.
Souza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diego just stands there and leans against the cage.
Souza drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diego lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Diego is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Diego stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Diego throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Souzas head.
Dan Diego is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Souza is trying to pull guard but Diego has him pressed against the cage.
Souza holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Souza has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Souza tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza is trying to pull guard but Diego has him pressed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Souza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Diego manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Souza goes for a takedown attempt but Diego pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

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.
Diego tries to clinch up but Souza circles away and keeps his distance.
Diego looks to land a left hand but Souza moved out of range nicely.
Diego moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSouza.
Diego punishes Souza's body with a nice straight punch.

Diego closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Diego is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Souza is looking for a takedown.
Diego lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Souza swings wildly with an uppercut but Diego uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diego wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Diego showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diego, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Diego!