PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Ellis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ellis has chosen 2pac nothing to lose as his entrance music. Ellis has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Darius Ellis will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Diaz
vs
Ellis

188 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

203 cm
22
205 lbs
4 - 12 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight 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, Diego Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darius Ellis!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz wants to clinch.
Darius Ellis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellis looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Ellis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ellis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Diaz 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.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Ellis keeps moving.
Ellis can't keep his opponent in guard - Diaz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Diaz trying to control the action but Ellis is working from the bottom.
Diaz is really struggling to control Ellis but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to advance position but Ellis won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ellis circles away.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ellis defends it nicely.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ellis swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Ellis.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Ellis.
Ellis swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Horrible takedown by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by Ellis which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ellis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Ellis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Ellis misses with a two punch combination.

Ellis feints and as Diaz raises his hands in defense, Ellis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ellis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Diaz looking for a guillotine here but Ellis defends easily.
Diaz has momentary wrist control but Ellis slips an elbow through the middle.

Ellis drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Diaz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ellis has Diaz in his guard.
Diaz trying to control but Ellis is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz won't allow Ellis to get back to his feet.
Diaz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diaz passes Ellis's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Diaz seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz trying to control the action but Ellis is working from the bottom.
Diaz tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ellis has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Diaz stops Ellis from getting back to his feet.
Diaz is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Ellis wants to improve his position but Diaz is controlling well.
Ellis is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ellis looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Diaz dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ellis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ellis slaps away a takedown attempt from Diaz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ellis keeps the fight on the outside.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Ellis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ellis throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ellis's waist but Ellis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Diego Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ellis swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Ellis as Diaz shoots in.
No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
Diaz slips a jab and a cross from Ellis.
Diaz tries to clinch but Ellis is having none of it.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ellis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ellis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
Ellis throws a good cross that connects.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Ellis clinches up against the cage.
Ellis lands a hook that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Diaz wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellis won't allow it.
Ellis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ellis as Diaz tries to tie him up.
Ellis throws a head punch that misses.
Diaz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

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.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but Ellis is controlling him.
Diaz blocks an uppercut.
Ellis working aggressively here.
Diaz fails to pull guard.
Ellis lands an uppercut.
Diaz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ellis smiles and moves away.
Diaz fails to land the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice takedown defense from Ellis. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Ellis, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Ellis against the cage but Ellis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ellis as he jumps to the side.

Diaz tries to keep at a distance but Ellis has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellis throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Ellis holds him up against the cage and eventually Diaz drops back down to his feet.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Ellis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Ellis wants to clinch.
Ellis throws a series of punches but Diaz moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Ellis.
Diaz is looking to clinch but Ellis is avoiding it.
Diaz shoots for a double leg takedown but Ellis sprawls well. He's pushed Diaz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diaz throws a big shot that misses.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.

Ellis instigates a clinch.
Diaz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ellis smiles and moves away.

Diaz 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.
Ellis wants to stand and escape but Diaz is having none of it.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Ellis keeps moving.
Ellis wants to stand and escape but Diaz is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Ellis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! 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.

Ellis misses with the combination.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ellis as he jumps to the side.
Ellis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ellis but Ellis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
An inside leg kick from Ellis misses.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ellis.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ellis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Ellis keeps it at a distance.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Ellis shows good takedown defense.
Ellis leaves Diaz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ellis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ellis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diaz dives in and grabs Ellis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ellis pushes down on Diaz's head and hops out.

Ellis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Diaz is pushing Ellis up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Diaz looking for a takedown.
Diaz blocks an uppercut.
Diaz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Ellis holds him up against the cage and eventually Diaz drops back down to his feet.
Ellis misses with a short punch on the inside.
Diaz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ellis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ellis keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Diaz's efforts to push away.
Diaz tries to break the clinch but Ellis is controlling the position.
Ellis lands an uppercut.
Ellis throws a punch but it's blocked by Diaz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diaz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diaz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Diaz blocks an uppercut.
Diaz trying to control the position but instead, Ellis has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diaz into the cage.
Ellis lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Diaz backwards.
Diaz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ellis gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ellis has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but Ellis has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz misses with some punches.
Diaz fails to pull guard.
Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ellis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Ellis won't allow it.

Ellis turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Diaz wants to control but Ellis postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz defending against the ground and pound.
Diaz defending against the ground and pound.
Ellis misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ellis in side control, throwing shots but Diaz defends.

Diaz explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Ellis swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.
Diaz lands with a shot to the body.
Ellis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Ellis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ellis wants it to stay on the feet.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. Ellis moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Diaz shoots in but Ellis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ellis.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Ellis wants to clinch.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice combination there by Ellis.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Ellis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ellis doesn't manage to clinch there - Diaz circles away.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darius Ellis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ellis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darius Ellis!