PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Diggler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexis Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul has chosen Kid Cudi Pursuit of Happiness as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Diggler
vs
Paul

187 cm
18
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andrew Diggler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexis Paul!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diggler tries to sprawl but Paul drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Paul prevents Diggler from improving his position.
Diggler gets full guard.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Diggler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diggler doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Diggler looking for a sweep. Not yet Diggler, not yet.
Diggler is trying to keep Paul in close.
Paul is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Diggler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Paul wants to control from the top but Diggler keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alexis Paul hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Paul drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diggler trying to control the position.
Paul missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diggler is on top in guard.

Diggler decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Paul is defended easily by Diggler.
Paul shoots in but Diggler avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul tries for a takedown but Diggler circles away easily

and Diggler decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Paul's guard.
Andrew Diggler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexis Paul.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diggler wants to control from the top but Paul keeps moving.
Diggler engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Andrew Diggler just wasn't active enough.
Diggler misses with a kick to the body

and Paul counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Diggler's guard now.
Paul trying to control but Diggler is working from the bottom.
Paul looks winded!
Diggler trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Paul trying to control but Diggler is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Paul wanted to stand there but Diggler had control of the position.

Diggler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Diggler controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Paul postures up.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Diggler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alexis Paul.
Decent striking displayed by Paul there.

Paul gets the takedown into side control.
Diggler manages to work his way to half guard, despite Paul's best efforts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diggler regains full guard. Nicely done.
Paul is looking to stand up but Diggler won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Andrew Diggler will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Paul stuffs the takedown.
Paul throws a half hearted mid kick.
Diggler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paul as he avoids it easily.
Diggler with a poor takedown

and Paul counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Diggler!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Diggler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diggler is squirming around, avoiding Paul's attempts to control the action.
Diggler is trying desperately to improve position.
Paul seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Diggler is holding on tight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Diggler has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Diggler!
Paul is trying to keep Diggler in close.
Diggler has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Paul is proving hard to escape from.

Paul has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diggler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paul has a closed guard, preventing Diggler from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggler wants to control from the top but Paul keeps moving.
Diggler slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Andrew Diggler has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Diggler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Paul swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Diggler tries to clinch but Paul moves away

and Paul counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul wants a takedown but no success here.
Paul tries to pull guard but Diggler won't allow it.
Paul displaying some good clinch control by pressing Diggler up against the cage.
Paul tries to pull guard but Diggler holds him up against the cage and eventually Paul drops back down to his feet.
Diggler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paul.
Diggler fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Paul lands a left hand.
Diggler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paul jumps guard and drags Diggler to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Diggler gets to his feet - Paul follows without any prompting.
Paul with a poor takedown

and Diggler counters with a nice double leg into side control. Paul won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paul tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Diggler is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Paul will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Diggler moves into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paul tries to reverse the position but Diggler maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Andrew Diggler will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Diggler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Diggler tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Diggler wants to control but Paul is keeping him busy.
Diggler sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Paul is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Paul parries the strikes from Diggler easily there. Diggler is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Paul to escape.
Diggler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paul keeps working.
Paul tries to buck Diggler off but Diggler is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paul keeps working.
Diggler scores with punches from side control.
Diggler avoids the strikes from the bottom by Paul.
Paul tries to bench press Diggler off him but Diggler keeps the position.
Paul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diggler wants to control but Paul is keeping him busy.
Paul is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Diggler has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Paul is trying to control Diggler's posture but Diggler avoids it.
Paul is letting Diggler control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Diggler wants to control but Paul is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Andrew Diggler.

Paul closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Diggler pressing his opponent against the cage.
The referee calls for Paul to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paul leaves Diggler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Andrew Diggler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Paul closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Diggler's guard.
Paul must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Paul trying to move into half guard but instead Diggler has managed to sweep!
Diggler trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.
Paul looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Diggler trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggler controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Andrew Diggler wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Diggler misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paul looks to land a body kick but Diggler moved away.
Diggler closes the distance looking to clinch

and Paul counters with a shoot takedown. Diggler fights it but they end up in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andrew Diggler.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diggler, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight for Andrew Diggler!
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Andrew Diggler!
Judge John Mangel scores the fight for Andrew Diggler!

Andrew Diggler wins by unanimous decision!