PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joko Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Fairtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Diaz
vs
Fairtex

164 cm
30
144 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

173 cm
23
147 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joko Diaz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Fairtex!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Fairtex circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fairtex.
Fairtex circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fairtex cracks the inside of Diaz's front leg.
Fairtex misses with a looping left.
Diaz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Fairtex.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown but Fairtex manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diaz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diaz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fairtex staying out of range there.
Fairtex buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fairtex throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.
Fairtex fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Diaz.
Diaz moves to clinch but Fairtex breaks away
and Fairtex counters with a good, hard body kick but Diaz shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex is looking to land body kicks.
Fairtex misses with a looping right.
Diaz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fairtex counters with a nice leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by Fairtex which made him look bad.
Diaz shoots for a takedown but Fairtex saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fairtex throws a push kick but Diaz slaps the foot to one side.
Fairtex circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fairtex counters with a leg kick.
Diaz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fairtex. Fairtex obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Fairtex both land. Nice combination.
Fairtex stuffs the takedown.
Diaz misses with a series of wild punches.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Diaz defending well as Fairtex loads up on a big left hand.

Diaz scores a takedown into full mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Diaz looking to control but Fairtex is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fairtex is trying to stand.
Diaz throws some wild stikes that Fairtex manages to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz avoids the attempt from Fairtex to control.
Diaz controlling the pace for now.
Diaz tries to control but Fairtex wriggling away.
Fairtex tries to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.
Fairtex 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 is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Fairtex throws a series of punches but Diaz moves out of range.

Diaz clinches up against the cage.
Fairtex looking to throw knees to the head but Diaz is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Diaz jumps guard but Fairtex stands there with Diaz around his waist. Diaz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fairtex keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Diaz's efforts to push away.
Fairtex avoids the elbow strike from Diaz, against the cage.
Diaz trying to control the position but instead, Fairtex has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diaz into the cage.
Diaz misses with an elbow over the top.
Fairtex prevents Diaz from breaking the clinch.
Come on Fairtex - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairtex connects with a nasty looking knee right to Diaz's face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairtex avoiding damage as Diaz throws knees to the body.
Diaz tries to break free but Fairtex pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but William Fairtex will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fairtex throws a push kick but Diaz slaps the foot to one side.
Fairtex chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fairtex tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairtex.
Diaz checks a leg kick.
Diaz throws a sloppy head kick and Fairtex moves out of range easily.
Fairtex tries to score with a low kick but Diaz moves his leg out of the way.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fairtex manages to avoid it.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fairtex paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fairtex turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fairtex shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Diaz eats them both and turns towards Fairtex to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Diaz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fairtex walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Diaz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Fairtex is looking to chop away at Diaz's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fairtex swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz with a poor takedown
enabling Fairtex to counter with a crisp jab.
Diaz blocks a leg kick.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Fairtex.
Diaz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fairtex wants to land a leg kick but Diaz is out of range.
Fairtex shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Diaz tries to clinch there but Fairtex circles away.
Fairtex misses with a body shot.
Fairtex goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Diaz throws a right hand that Fairtex ducks under and follows up with a left that Fairtex also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Fairtex.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fairtex walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Diaz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Diaz throws a lazy right hand but Fairtex sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
William Fairtex seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Fairtex lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fairtex wants to land a leg kick but Diaz is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex slaps away a takedown attempt from Diaz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fairtex scoring well with a low kick there.
Fairtex swinging wildly here.
Diaz wants to clinch.
Fairtex just misses with a punch to the body.
Fairtex misses with a kick to the body.
Diaz closes the distance but Fairtex moves to the side
and Fairtex counters with a body kick that stops Diaz in his tracks momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fairtex wants it to stay on the feet.
Fairtex displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diaz.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fairtex is having none of it.
Fairtex stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fairtex wants it to stay on the feet.
Fairtex scores with a head kick. Diaz tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Fairtex misses with a low kick.
Fairtex throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fairtex avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairtex just misses with a punch to the body.
Fairtex slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Fairtex showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A head kick misses from Diaz.
Joko Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fairtex is having none of it.
That kick from Fairtex tenderised Diaz's leg. Diaz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fairtex slaps away a takedown attempt from Diaz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fairtex pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fairtex tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fairtex to the ground. Fairtex escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fairtex tries to land a front kick but Diaz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Diaz drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fairtex keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Fairtex wants to stand and escape but Diaz is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex wants to sweep but no luck.
Diaz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Diaz trying to move into half guard but instead Fairtex has managed to sweep!
Fairtex is looking to stand up but Diaz won't let him.
Diaz controlling Fairtex's posture.
Diaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Joko Diaz just wasn't active enough.
Diaz is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fairtex moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Fairtex as Diaz shoots in.
Diaz tries to clinch but Fairtex is having none of it.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Fairtex moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fairtex sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fairtex looks to land a body kick but Diaz moved away.
No joy there for Fairtex, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fairtex keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fairtex counters with a stiff right hand.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Fairtex pushes him off.
Diaz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fairtex lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown. Fairtex tries to sprawl out of it but Diaz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fairtex manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz wants to clinch but Fairtex slips to the side
and Fairtex counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fairtex misses with a wild body shot.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fairtex thuds his shin into the meat of Diaz's side.
Fairtex misses with a straight right.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Fairtex.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fairtex.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fairtex.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt - Fairtex sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fairtex misses with a kick to the body.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Fairtex shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairtex avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fairtex scores with a hook to the body. Diaz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but William Fairtex just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Diaz tries to clinch up.
Fairtex throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Fairtex as Diaz shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fairtex lands a nice leg kick that just misses Diaz's sensitive parts.
Diaz works over Fairtex's head and body with a nice combination.
Diaz checks a leg kick.
Fairtex avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fairtex misses the jab.
Fairtex misses with a hook.
A lazy left from Fairtex finds it's target.
Diaz moves out of range of the body kick from Fairtex.
A lazy body kick from Diaz
and Fairtex counters with a good low kick that Diaz was not able to check.
A combination from Diaz does no damage.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.
Fairtex misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz closes the distance but Fairtex moves to the side
and Fairtex counters with a nice uppercut.
Diaz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Fairtex lands with a nice combination. Diaz backs away looking to recover.
Fairtex scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fairtex circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fairtex counters with an inside leg kick.

Diaz clinches.
Diaz letting Fairtex take a breather here.
Fairtex misses with a knee strike.
Fairtex throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to break free but Fairtex pushes him back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Fairtex.
Fairtex using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Fairtex.
Fairtex tries to land knees in the clinch but Diaz avoids the damage to the body.
Fairtex with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fairtex taking a breather.
Fairtex tries to land a knee to the head but Diaz blocks with his arms.
Diaz jumps guard but Fairtex turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fairtex landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fairtex utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fairtex with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fairtex throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diaz wants a takedown but no success here.

Diaz breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fairtex lands with a kick to the ribs.
Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Fairtex checks a leg kick.

Diaz shoots in and bounces Fairtex off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairtex working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Fairtex dominated that fourth 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!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Diaz looking for a takedown.
Fairtex utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fairtex lands a knee to the head.
Come on Fairtex - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fairtex landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fairtex tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Diaz avoids it.
Fairtex looking to throw knees to the head but Diaz is blocking nicely.
Fairtex tries a knee to the head but Diaz blocks it.
William Fairtex seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Diaz turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fairtex is not content to let Diaz control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex can't do much from the bottom here.

Diaz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Diaz working away.

Diaz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fairtex has escaped the position, nice work there.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fairtex keeps working.

Diaz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diaz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Joko Diaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Diaz seems to be working for a kimura but Fairtex defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fairtex is controlling Diaz's position as best he can from this difficult position.
William Fairtex is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diaz moves into full mount! Fairtex won't be happy about that!
Fairtex trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Diaz avoids the attempt from Fairtex to control.
Fairtex is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Diaz looking to control but Fairtex is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fairtex tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fairtex is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Diaz lands with some strikes.
Diaz trying to control but Fairtex is having none of it.

Diaz looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz can't control as he wanted to and Fairtex manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Well, if Diaz is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fairtex has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diaz is working away from the top position though.
Diaz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fairtex does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Joko Diaz 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.
Diaz uses his free foot to push down on Fairtex's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fairtex.
This has been an exciting period of action!
BOOM! Diaz connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joko Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fairtex 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 48:49
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Joko Diaz!
Joko Diaz retains his bantamweight title!
Joko Diaz managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, [EVO] Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available*, into his post fight interview.