PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Stram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz has chosen Youssoupha - Ne Compare Pas as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Stram
vs
Diaz

185 cm
22
168 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

175 cm
24
169 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taylor Stram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rory Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz connects with a body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Diaz!
Stram fails with the takedown

and Diaz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Diaz.
Stram trying to keep a closed guard but Diaz is proving a slippery customer.

Stram has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diaz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Diaz is stalling in the full guard.

Stram is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diaz is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz pushes down on Stram's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Diaz controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stram is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Diaz connects with a nice short shot to Stram's temple.
Diaz prevents Stram from improving his position.
Stram keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stram looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stram wants to control but Diaz passes into side.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diaz working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Stram tries to buck Diaz off but Diaz is having none of it.
Diaz takes a little break here. Stram wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Stram can't do much from the bottom here.
Diaz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Diaz scoring with punches and elbows.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz taking a breather here.
Stram tries to buck Diaz off but Diaz is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to take a break and control but Stram is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaz is working Stram over with some ground and pound from side control.
Stram tries to bench press Diaz off him but Diaz keeps the position.
Diaz scoring with punches from side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Diaz is working Stram over with some ground and pound from side control.
Diaz trying to control the action but Stram is working from the bottom.
Diaz is putting a hurting on Stram here, landing some big shots from side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Diaz working the head and body with strikes.
Diaz has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Stram!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stram wants to control but Diaz is having none of it.
Diaz controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands a heavy elbow.
Diaz avoids the attempt from Stram to control.
Stram is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diaz working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Stram wants to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.
Diaz tries to control but Stram wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Stram in real trouble here! The ref calls for Stram to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rory Diaz!
A pretty intense looking Rory Diaz took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.