PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Diego (ranked 3579 p4p, 4242 weight class) and Jason Laszlo (ranked 428 p4p, 485 weight class). Laszlo has chosen Medal as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Sam Diego has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Diego
vs
Laszlo

189 cm
29
180
10 - 14 - 0

178 cm
28
185
3 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Diego!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jason Laszlo!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diego forces Laszlo back against the cage and clinches.
Laszlo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diego avoiding damage.

Laszlo manages to break the clinch.

Laszlo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Diego taking some punishment here, with Laszlo in his half guard.
Laszlo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Laszlo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diego blocking the ground and pound attempt from Laszlo.
Laszlo throwing shots but Diego is blocking nicely.

Laszlo is looking for a kimura but Diego is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Laszlo to get the leverage.
Laszlo wants to free his trapped foot but Diego is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laszlo wants to control but Diego is keeping him busy.
Laszlo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diego defending well though.
Laszlo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Diego knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Laszlo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Diego won't allow Laszlo to pass to mount.
Diego avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Laszlo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laszlo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Laszlo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Laszlo.
Laszlo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego is not content to let Laszlo control the position.
Laszlo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diego defending well though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Laszlo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diego scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Laszlo scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Sam Diego has been cut.
Laszlo shoots in for a double leg but Diego sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Laszlo staying out of range there.

Diego gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Diego manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Sam Diego is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diego takes a swing at Laszlo's ribcage but misses.
Diego scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Laszlo. That's going to slow Diego down.
Laszlo keeps Diego at a distance using the push kick.
Diego moves out of range as Laszlo throws a body kick.
Laszlo avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Laszlo.
Sam Diego has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Laszlo.
Laszlo throws a jab but it's blocked by Diego.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Laszlo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diego.

Laszlo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Laszlo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Come on Diego - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Laszlo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Diego misses with the head strike.
Diego tries to throw a body punch but Laszlo avoids it by throwing Diego back against the cage.
Laszlo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Diego prevents it.
Diego lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Laszlo 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.
Laszlo is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laszlo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Diego pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Laszlo tries for a takedown but Diego manages to get underhooks.
Laszlo looks winded!
Diego controlling the action here for a moment.

Diego escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Laszlo misses with a series of wild punches.
Laszlo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Laszlo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laszlo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diego.

It looks like Jason Laszlo has been cut.
Laszlo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laszlo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Laszlo feints the counter takedown.
Diego looks to land a combination but Laszlo avoids it well.
Diego loads up on a big right hand but Laszlo slips the punch.
Diego throws a series of punches but Laszlo moves out of range.
Diego misses with a wild body shot.

Laszlo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diego is trying to defend but Laszlo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Diego manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Laszlo keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sam Diego will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Laszlo misses with a series of wild punches.
Jason Laszlo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Laszlo clinches up against the cage.
Laszlo wants a takedown.
Laszlo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Diego.

Diego pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sam Diego is winning the standup battle so far.
Diego avoids the head kick by Laszlo.
Diego connects with a single shot there.
Laszlo moves out of range of the strikes.
Diego is looking to clinch but Laszlo is avoiding it.
Diego misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sloppy strikes from Laszlo. Those never looked like landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diego's jab looks to have found its range, popping Laszlo under the eye.
Diego misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laszlo.
Laszlo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Diego tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Laszlo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Laszlo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Diego dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Diego misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laszlo unleashes a big counter combination but Diego bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Diego tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Laszlo manages to avoid it.
Laszlo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Diego looks to land a right hand but Laszlo moved out of range.
Diego digs a good body shot into Laszlo's ribs.
Laszlo avoids the body shot from Diego.
Laszlo throws a nice looking combination but Diego bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Some wild striking there from Diego.
Diego looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diego. Laszlo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diego throws a jab but it's blocked by Laszlo.

Laszlo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Diego preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Laszlo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laszlo passes Diego's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laszlo is looking to take a break and control but Diego is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diego avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Laszlo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Laszlo in particular looking to stall.
Laszlo throwing shots but Diego is blocking nicely.
Laszlo trying to control the action but Diego is working from the bottom.
Laszlo misses with a head shot. Diego uses the momentum to regain guard.
Laszlo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Laszlo postures up in Diego's guard and throws a big left but Diego blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laszlo wants to control from the top but Diego keeps moving.
Diego avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Diego will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Laszlo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Laszlo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Diego defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Laszlo.

Laszlo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Laszlo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Diego dodges the ground and pound from Laszlo.
Laszlo taking a break here but Diego is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laszlo misses with a head shot. Diego uses the momentum to regain guard.
Laszlo throwing strikes from guard but Diego blocks nicely.
Laszlo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Diego works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Laszlo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Laszlo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Diego keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sam Diego will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Laszlo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laszlo lands with a kick to the temple. Diego shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Laszlo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diego as he avoids it easily.
Diego misses with a wild body shot.
Laszlo looks for the body kick but Diego saw that one coming.
Laszlo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Diego looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diego scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Diego is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Diego misses the shot to the body.
Diego misses with a straight right.
Laszlo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A combination from Laszlo does no damage.

Laszlo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diego tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Laszlo is in Diego's guard.
Diego wants to get back to his feet but Laszlo passes into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Diego is pressing down on Laszlo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Laszlo sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laszlo landing some decent shots from guard.
Diego pulls Laszlo in close to prevent any damage.
Laszlo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Diego works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Laszlo postures up and lands a big shot to Diego's brow.
Laszlo is in close to Diego's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Laszlo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Laszlo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laszlo throwing strikes but missing.
Laszlo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diego is keeping the position for now.
Laszlo wants to control from the top but Diego keeps moving.
Laszlo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Laszlo wants to control from the top but Diego keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Laszlo throws a sloppy head kick and Diego moves out of range easily.
Laszlo keeps the fight on the outside.
A leg kick checked by Laszlo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Laszlo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Laszlo manages to end up in side control.
Diego is not content to let Laszlo control the position.

Laszlo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Laszlo scoring with punches from side control.
Laszlo cracks Diego with a big right hand but Diego just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Diego can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laszlo controlling from side mount.

Laszlo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Diego has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Laszlo but great work by Diego.

Diego decides to stand back up. Diego steps back and let's Laszlo get back to his feet.
Diego with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Laszlo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Laszlo showed some decent athleticism there.

Diego manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Laszlo keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Jason Laszlo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Diego is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laszlo working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sam Diego.
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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Diego!
Sam Diego really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Brooklyn Apothecary logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.
The defeated Jason Laszlo had this to say: 'I am an all-american, treat me like it.'.