PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paquito Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akbar Hussein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Diaz
vs
Hussein

193 cm
28
210 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

174 cm
28
200 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Solid 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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Paquito Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Akbar Hussein!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hussein misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hussein shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.
Hussein should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Diaz thuds his right hand into Hussein's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hussein moves out of range of the strikes.
Diaz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hussein throws the left hand but Diaz avoids the punch easily.
Hussein closes the distance and clinches up with Diaz, looking for a takedown. Hussein pushes Diaz against the cage but Diaz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Paquito Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akbar Hussein.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Hussein does a little dance to reset his feet.
Paquito Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz misses with a hook.
Hussein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A shot to the body from Hussein misses
and Diaz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Hussein is out of range.
A jab from Diaz does it's job there.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Diaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein takes one to the side of the head.
Diaz tests Hussein's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hussein displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diaz throws out the jab.
Hussein misses the jab.
Paquito Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice defenses there by Hussein.
Hussein gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Diaz catches Hussein with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hussein.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Hussein misses.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diaz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Hussein looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Hussein missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Diaz taking some punishment here, with Hussein in his half guard.
Diaz on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Diaz tries to get out of the position.
Diaz trying to control but Hussein postures up.
Hussein trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Hussein has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.

Hussein is working for a kimura but Diaz is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hussein is trying to work for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz is looking for a sweep. Hussein is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diaz is working hard here to advance position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hussein working Diaz over with strikes.
Hussein tries to pass the half guard into mount. Diaz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Still in half guard, Hussein seems content to control.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hussein is working for a submission of some sort.
Hussein is thwarting Diaz's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paquito Diaz dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diaz throws a looping overhand right but Hussein ducks down to avoid it.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hussein manages to avoid it.
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Hussein was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diaz looks to land a left hand but Hussein moved out of range nicely.
Diaz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hussein.
Hussein ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Hussein takes one on the button.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. Hussein moves away and avoids it.
Hussein is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Diaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein staying out of range there.
Diaz throws the left hand but Hussein avoids the punch easily.
Hussein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz with a hook.
Hussein ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Hussein waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
Diaz throws an overhand right that lands on Hussein's shoulder, as Hussein tries to avoid the shot.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hussein throws out the jab.
Hussein throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diaz sprawls well. Diaz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hussein gets slowly back to his feet.
Diaz throws a hook but Hussein blocks it.
Diaz looks to land a left hand but Hussein moved out of range nicely.
A lazy left from Diaz finds it's target.
Hussein moves out of range as Diaz strikes.
Diaz connects with a single shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hussein was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Diaz throws a hook to the side of Hussein's head but Hussein sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a hook but Hussein blocks it.
Diaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hussein.
Hussein misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Diaz misses with a hook.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Diaz misses with a looping left.
Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hussein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diaz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein shoots in but Diaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paquito Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akbar Hussein.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but Hussein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hussein swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz throws a hook but Hussein avoids it easily.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hussein uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diaz.
Hussein throws a right hand that misses
and Diaz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paquito Diaz 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!

Hussein staying out of range there.
Hussein takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Hussein drops his hands momentarily and Diaz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice defenses there by Hussein.
Paquito Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Diaz swings away with a body shot that misses

so Hussein counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hussein drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick Hussein off! Hussein jumps back into Diaz's guard.
Hussein tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.
Hussein is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hussein won't allow Diaz to sweep him here.
Hussein wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hussein stopping the sweep attempt from Diaz.

Hussein drops back looking for a leg! Diaz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Diaz manages to kick Hussein off! Hussein jumps back into Diaz's guard.
Diaz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hussein tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.
Hussein advances position into side control!
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Akbar Hussein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Diaz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hussein is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaz can't do much from the bottom here.
Hussein lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Hussein lands a nice forearm strike.

Hussein tries for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hussein grinds an elbow into Diaz's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Diaz wants to control but Hussein postures up.
Hussein lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Diaz down.
Hussein working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Hussein tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Diaz is trying to improve his position.
Check out the look on Hussein's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Diaz is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hussein is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hussein content just to control the position here.

Hussein looking to secure an arm triangle but Diaz defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hussein lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hussein tries to control but Diaz wriggling away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hussein in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The referee warns Diaz that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hussein landing shots from mount.

Hussein jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Diaz manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Hussein keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hussein wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.
Paquito Diaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz is trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akbar Hussein comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Diaz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paquito Diaz!