PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saunders
vs
Diaz

200 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
176 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Diaz counters with a two punch combo.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Diaz moves into range and clinches up with Saunders.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Diaz.
Diaz gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saunders.
Saunders drops down looking for an ankle pick but Diaz pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders with a lazy takedown attempt

and Diaz counters with a nice double leg into side control. Saunders won't be happy with that.
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!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Saunders sneaks back into half guard.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz wants to free his trapped foot but Saunders is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz trying to control from half guard but Saunders is working away.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diaz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to stand up but Saunders is controlling the position.
Saunders moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Saunders working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diaz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diaz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Saunders keeps moving.
Diaz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saunders. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diaz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Saunders throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz wants to control from the top but Saunders keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Diaz has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
Saunders is breathing heavily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Diaz!

It looks like Ben Saunders has been cut.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt - Saunders sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Saunders shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Saunders shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saunders swivels and escapes.
Diaz throws a push kick but Saunders slaps the foot to one side.
Ben Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Diaz drives through and clinches with Saunders against the cage.
Saunders has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diaz after a bit of a struggle.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saunders is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Saunders is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Diaz sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Diaz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Saunders's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diaz feints a jab promting Saunders to slip. Diaz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saunders slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ben Saunders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diaz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saunders really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diaz feints a jab promting Saunders to slip. Diaz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saunders slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Diaz throws a right and a left that Saunders avoids nicely.

Saunders feints and as Diaz raises his hands in defense, Saunders changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz wants to get back to his feet but Saunders is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Saunders decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Diaz, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saunders blocks a head kick by Diaz.

Saunders looking to score a takedown here. Diaz is defending well but Saunders drives through and ends up in Diaz's guard.
Saunders keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Diaz's head.
Diaz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saunders is one step ahead there.

Saunders 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 Saunders has Diaz in his guard.
Diaz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saunders is keeping the position for now.
Nick Diaz has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to stand but Saunders is controlling his posture from full guard.

Saunders is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Diaz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saunders has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Diaz has managed to get both his arms back between Saunders's legs - danger averted.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Saunders is keeping the position.

Saunders had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diaz defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saunders is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diaz is aware though and is defending well.
Diaz slips nicely into half guard.
Diaz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Saunders is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diaz pulls his head out easily.

Saunders looking for submissions off his back.

Saunders is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Diaz pulls his head out easily.
Diaz works his way into side control.

Diaz decides to stand up, so the ref orders Saunders to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saunders's waist but Saunders gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.

Diaz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Diaz gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saunders.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diaz looks for the body kick but Saunders saw that one coming.
Saunders leaves Diaz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saunders defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Diaz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ben Saunders's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
Diaz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saunders.
Diaz throws a body kick that misses.
Diaz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Diaz which made him look bad.
Saunders dives in and grabs Diaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes down on Saunders's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diaz finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz instigates a clinch.
Saunders has Diaz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diaz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Saunders takes a shot to the head.
Saunders is looking for a takedown.
Diaz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
A short uppercut from Diaz.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Saunders shows good takedown defense.
Diaz misses with a low kick as Saunders jumps back.
Diaz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Ben Saunders's cut is getting worse.
Saunders looks for a takedown but Diaz sprawls well.
Diaz has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz scores with a three punch combo!
Diaz tries for a takedown but Saunders sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saunders shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diaz defends it nicely.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saunders tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saunders to the ground. Saunders escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diaz as he avoids it easily.
Saunders takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Saunders stuffs the takedown attempt from Diaz. Diaz gets slowly back to his feet.

Saunders manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Diaz on his heels. He'll look to pass Diaz's guard now, I'm sure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws a big elbow that misses.
Saunders trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Diaz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saunders throwing strikes but missing.
Saunders won't allow Diaz to get back to his feet.
Saunders sitting in guard here, content to control.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Saunders from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Saunders wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Saunders shoots for a takedown but Diaz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
Diaz scores with a three punch combo!
Diaz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diaz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diaz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ben Saunders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saunders is defended easily by Diaz.
Nick Diaz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saunders circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Diaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Diaz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Diaz!
After the fight, Nick Diaz was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.