PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nickolas Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Sobberman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nickolas Diaz had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.8lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Henry Sobberman acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Diaz
vs
Sobberman

185 cm
28
200 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

150 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nickolas Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Henry Sobberman!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Diaz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sobberman's guard.

Sobberman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diaz defends it easily.
Sobberman managing to control the position.
Sobberman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Diaz won't allow Sobberman to sweep him here.
Sobberman seems keen to control Diaz's posture.
Diaz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sobberman is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sobberman is on top in guard.
Sobberman postures up.
Sobberman wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

Sobberman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Diaz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sobberman has managed to get both his arms back between Diaz's legs - danger averted.
Sobberman wants to get up but he can't break Diaz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Diaz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sobberman wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet but Sobberman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz trying to strike off his back.
Diaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Diaz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sobberman is aware though and is defending well.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Sobberman from controlling successfully.
Sobberman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sobberman tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Henry Sobberman.

Sobberman gets the takedown into side control.
Diaz is trying to get back to half guard.
Sobberman tries to stand but Diaz is controlling his head.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sobberman has eaten all the pies!
Diaz is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sobberman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Diaz is trying to maintain the position but Sobberman is very close to passing his half guard.
Sobberman wants to take a breather but Diaz is having none of it.
Sobberman not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sobberman is working away from the top position though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sobberman napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Sobberman is trying to control Diaz's posture but Diaz avoids it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Still in half guard, Diaz seems content to control.

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sobberman is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.
Sobberman tries to roll over but Diaz keeps him under control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman is staying active underneath Diaz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sobberman wants to get back to his feet.
Diaz controlling the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Diaz is thwarting Sobberman's attempts to control the position.
Diaz wants to stand but Sobberman has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nickolas Diaz just wasn't active enough.
Sobberman stuffs the takedown.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Sobberman, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Sobberman against the ropes but Sobberman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diaz looks for a takedown but Sobberman sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickolas Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sobberman swivels and escapes.

Sobberman shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diaz is trying to defend but Sobberman finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Diaz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sobberman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sobberman wants to pass to mount but Diaz is defending the position.
Sobberman throwing shots but Diaz is blocking nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman is looking to stall here but Diaz recovers full guard.
Sobberman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sobberman trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sobberman lands a couple of elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz wants to stand but Sobberman is controlling the position.
Sobberman tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Henry Sobberman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt

and Sobberman counters with a takedown into side control.
Diaz is trying to control Sobberman's posture but Sobberman avoids it.
Diaz tries to escape but Sobberman is in control.
Sobberman controls the position.
Diaz is pushing Sobberman's head away, looking to escape. Sobberman manages to hold on to the position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sobberman taking a breather here.
Sobberman advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Sobberman dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sobberman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Diaz.
Sobberman fails with the takedown.
Diaz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sobberman counters with a left and a right that stings Diaz.
Diaz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sobberman avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickolas Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sobberman misses with a head kick.
Sobberman takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.

Diaz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Diaz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sobberman is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobberman trying to control from the bottom.
Sobberman is trying to stand up here but Diaz is controlling him well.
Sobberman trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Diaz manages to pass to mount!
Diaz breaks from Sobberman's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Diaz tries to control but Sobberman wriggling away.
Sobberman is wriggling around trying to escape.
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.
Diaz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Diaz with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sobberman is trying to escape the mount.
Diaz landing shots from mount.
Sobberman wants to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman is desperately trying to improve his position but Diaz has a good base and remains in mount.
Diaz lands a big shot there that rocks Sobberman but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Diaz in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Sobberman defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Diaz.
Sobberman tries to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.

Diaz wants to finish this one by submission but Sobberman is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Diaz.
Sobberman is desperately trying to improve his position but Diaz has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman wants to hold on but Diaz pushes him away.
Diaz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Diaz raining down hammerfists from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz scoring with strikes but Sobberman is staying in there.
Diaz trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Diaz stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman dives in and grabs Diaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes down on Sobberman's head and hops out.

Diaz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sobberman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sobberman wants to sweep but no luck.
Sobberman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nickolas Diaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Diaz wants to stand but Sobberman is controlling his posture from full guard.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sobberman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diaz is in close to Sobberman's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman can't keep his opponent in guard - Diaz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sobberman wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy.

Diaz stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Diaz closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sobberman to the mat! Sobberman manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobberman wants to stand but Diaz is controlling the position.
Diaz scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sobberman wants to improve his position but instead Diaz has moved into half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is trying to control the action in half guard but Sobberman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sobberman wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sobberman is trying to stand back up but Diaz is controlling him
Diaz is trying to control the action in half guard but Sobberman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Diaz is controlling the pace.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Diaz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Diaz has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sobberman keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Diaz with a couple of short strikes.
Diaz tries to control but Sobberman wriggling away.
Diaz lands with some strikes.
Sobberman is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Diaz content just to control the position here.

Diaz is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horrible takedown by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by Sobberman which made him look bad.

Sobberman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Diaz postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nickolas Diaz showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight for Nickolas Diaz!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Nickolas Diaz!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Nickolas Diaz!

Nickolas Diaz wins by unanimous decision!