PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Strielok Diegtiarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carl Mason struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Carl Mason will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Diegtiarov
vs
Mason

170 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
19
166 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Strielok Diegtiarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Carl Mason!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Diegtiarov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diegtiarov looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Mason dodges the punch combination from Diegtiarov.
Mason misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mason misses with a low kick.
Diegtiarov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mason is fending him off so far but Diegtiarov persists. Nope, Mason circles away and we're back to standing.

Diegtiarov pushes Mason up against the ropes in a clinch.
Mason is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Diegtiarov is defending well for now.
Diegtiarov is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mason.

Mason's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diegtiarov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Strielok Diegtiarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason stuffs the takedown.

Diegtiarov tries to keep at a distance but Mason has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mason breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mason closes the distance and pushes Diegtiarov back into the ropes.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Mason creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Mason breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason wants to clinch.
Mason fails to land the takedown.

Mason instigates a clinch.
Diegtiarov has Mason pressed against the ropes, preventing Mason from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Still in the clinch, Mason scores with a nice short uppercut.

Mason jumps into guard, dragging Diegtiarov to the mat.
Mason bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Diegtiarov's guard.
Mason in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mason trying to control but Diegtiarov is working from the bottom.
Mason cracks Diegtiarov with a solid left hand.
Mason is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Diegtiarov working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diegtiarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Mason content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mason working some strikes from top position.
Diegtiarov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Diegtiarov tries to get out of the position.

Mason decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Diegtiarov, up you get!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mason tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Diegtiarov swivels and escapes.
A head kick from Mason lands but Diegtiarov takes it in his stride.
Mason shoots in looking for a takedown. Diegtiarov tries to sprawl out of it but Mason keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Diegtiarov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Strielok Diegtiarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Mason.
Diegtiarov avoids the head kick by Mason.
Mason fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mason.
Mason shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diegtiarov sprawls well. Diegtiarov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mason gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diegtiarov lands a glancing blow to the side of Mason's head.
Diegtiarov slips a jab and a cross from Mason.

Diegtiarov tries to sprawl but Mason drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mason winds up and cracks Diegtiarov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Diegtiarov trying to control but Mason postures up.
Diegtiarov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Mason is looking for a kimura but Diegtiarov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mason to get the leverage.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diegtiarov defending well though.
Mason is nestled in close to Diegtiarov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Diegtiarov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Mason not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Diegtiarov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mason.
Mason has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands with a punch from half guard.
Mason working Diegtiarov over with strikes.
Mason working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diegtiarov taking some punishment here, with Mason in his half guard.
Mason wants to pass to mount but Diegtiarov is defending the position.
Mason slips a nice elbow through Diegtiarov's hands, connecting with Diegtiarov's forehead.
Mason is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Diegtiarov!
Mason with the ground and pound from mount.
Mason lands a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mason connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Mason working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Diegtiarov taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Mason dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mason closes this distance looking for a takedown but Diegtiarov circles away.
Mason fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diegtiarov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Mason clinches up against the ropes.
Mason wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mason looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diegtiarov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason tries a knee to the head but Diegtiarov blocks it.
Diegtiarov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mason has him pressed against the ropes.

Mason breaks from the clinch.
Diegtiarov stuffs the takedown.
Diegtiarov jabs Mason to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Diegtiarov checks a leg kick.
Mason has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mason there as he acknowledges the shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Diegtiarov dodges the punch combination from Mason.
Diegtiarov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diegtiarov keeps the fight on the outside.
Mason misses with a head kick.
Diegtiarov scores with a nice strike.
Mason blocks a head kick by Diegtiarov.
Mason tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Diegtiarov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Mason tries to keep at a distance but Diegtiarov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mason breaks from the clinch.
Mason throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mason throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diegtiarov's waist but Diegtiarov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mason off to one side.
Strielok Diegtiarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Mason.
Diegtiarov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mason.
Mason tries to close the distance and clinch but Diegtiarov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mason.

Diegtiarov takes the fight into the clinch.
Mason gets through Diegtiarov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diegtiarov fails to pull guard.

Mason pulls guard effortlessly.

Mason pushes Diegtiarov off and gets back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mason is defended easily by Diegtiarov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mason closes this distance looking for a takedown but Diegtiarov circles away.
Mason fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mason shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diegtiarov pinned against the ropes. Diegtiarov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Diegtiarov scores with a shot to the body.

Mason shoots in and gets a takedown into Diegtiarov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diegtiarov keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.
Mason wants to pass the guard but Diegtiarov is keeping the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Diegtiarov holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Diegtiarov is looking to stand up but Mason isn't so interested in that idea.
Mason slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Diegtiarov.
Mason sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diegtiarov defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diegtiarov is trying to get back to full guard.
Mason looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Diegtiarov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mason scores with a couple of nice shots.

Mason decides to return to a standing position.

Mason rushes Diegtiarov and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Mason escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mason shoots for a takedown but Diegtiarov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mason throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diegtiarov connects with a single shot there.
Mason shoots in but Diegtiarov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Diegtiarov scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Mason showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're 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.

Diegtiarov closes the distance and clinches.
Diegtiarov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Mason jumps guard and drags Diegtiarov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Diegtiarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mason wants to stand and escape but Diegtiarov is having none of it.
Diegtiarov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mason on the ground.
Diegtiarov preventing the sweep.
Mason is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diegtiarov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason wants to stand but Diegtiarov is controlling the position.
Mason looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mason is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Diegtiarov blocks a head kick by Mason.

Diegtiarov moves into the clinch.
Mason lands a nice elbow.

Mason pulls guard effortlessly.

Mason working for a triangle but Diegtiarov defends it easily.
Mason manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Mason raining down hammerfists from mount.
Mason lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Diegtiarov hang on?
Carl Mason has got the better of the ground game so far.
Diegtiarov taking shots to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mason raining down hammerfists from mount.
Diegtiarov tries to hold on but Mason pushes him away.
Mason looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Mason trying to control but Diegtiarov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason dominating with strikes here.
Mason lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Strielok Diegtiarov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mason unloading with bombs!
Mason looking to finish Diegtiarov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Diegtiarov!
Carl Mason is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mason raining down hammerfists from mount.
Mason controlling the position easily from mount.
BOOM! Mason connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Diegtiarov wants to control but Mason is having none of it.
Mason has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mason landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason punishing his opponent with strikes.
Diegtiarov can't escape the position.
Mason is landing with some decent strikes but Diegtiarov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Mason looking to control but Diegtiarov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
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!
Mason lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Mason breaks from Diegtiarov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
A nice elbow there by Mason.
Mason lands with some strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mason postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Diegtiarov looks a forlorn figure.
Mason with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Carl Mason comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mason has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carl Mason!
A less than humble Carl Mason misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.