PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Henderson Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Link Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Diaz
vs
Pettis

175 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henderson Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Link Pettis!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz gets tackled into the cage by Pettis. Pettis maintains the clinch.

Pettis breaks the clinch.

Pettis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pettis is trying to drag Diaz to the mat but Diaz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Pettis manages to break the clinch.
Pettis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pettis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pettis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pettis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pettis slips a straight right by Diaz.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Diaz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Pettis throws a solid leg kick but Diaz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pettis.

Pettis closes the distance and clinches.
Diaz being controlled against the cage.
Pettis prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is working for takedown but Pettis is calmly controlling the position for now.
Diaz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pettis pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henderson Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pettis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Pettis moves into range and clinches up with Diaz.

Pettis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pettis misses with a takedown attempt
and Diaz counters with a good low kick that Pettis was not able to check.

Pettis gets a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Pettis.
Diaz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Diaz is pressed up against the cage. Pettis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Diaz down to the mat. Diaz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A head kick misses from Pettis.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Pettis fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis lands a leg kick that knocks Diaz off balance momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pettis clinches with his opponent.
Diaz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short uppercut from Pettis.
Pettis content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Diaz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pettis goes for a takedown attempt but Diaz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pettis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Diaz closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pettis quickly recovers to half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Diaz prevents Pettis from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis is trying to control but can't.
Pettis wants to get back to full guard.
Pettis wants to get back to his feet.

Diaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Diaz tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Pettis looks like he's trying to stand up.

Diaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Diaz decides to return to a standing position.
Pettis pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Diaz if he has to take too many more of those.
Pettis swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaz.

Pettis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diaz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pettis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Diaz is defending well for now.
Pettis is pressed up against the cage. Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pettis down to the mat. Pettis avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Pettis connects with a high kick.
Diaz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pettis.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Pettis throws a head kick that misses.
Pettis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pettis wants to clinch up but Diaz keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Pettis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Pettis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Link Pettis dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pettis clinches up against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pettis prevents the takedown attempt.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pettis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diaz after a bit of a struggle.
Pettis with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pettis has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Diaz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pettis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henderson Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee calls for Pettis to work.
Pettis connects with a nasty looking knee right to Diaz's face.
Diaz is pressed up against the cage. Pettis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Diaz down to the mat. Diaz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pettis swivels and escapes.
Diaz blocks a head kick by Pettis.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pettis pinned against the cage. Pettis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Henderson Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz swats away the attempt to clinch by Pettis.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pettis closes the distance and clinches.
Diaz is working for takedown but Pettis is calmly controlling the position for now.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Pettis.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Diaz blocks an elbow strike.
Diaz is looking for a takedown.

Pettis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pettis is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, Pettis circles away and we're back to standing.

Pettis darts in and clinches Diaz up against the cage.
Pettis throws an elbow that misses.
Diaz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pettis slowing the pace effectively.
A frustrated look appears on Diaz's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pettis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Pettis breaks from the clinch.
Pettis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diaz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
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!
Pettis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pettis.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pettis.

Pettis has taken the fight to the clinch.

Pettis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pettis throws a head kick that misses.

Pettis has Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.
Pettis pushes off an throws an elbow but Diaz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diaz is fending him off so far but Pettis persists. Nope, Diaz circles away and we're back to standing.
Pettis is looking to clinch but Diaz is avoiding it.

Pettis clinches.
Diaz goes for a takedown attempt but Pettis pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pettis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pettis is looking to clinch but Diaz is avoiding it.
Pettis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Pettis rushes Diaz and presses him up against the cage.
Pettis is pushing Diaz up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pettis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis avoiding damage.
Pettis misses with a knee to the head.
Pettis manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Diaz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pettis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pettis throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diaz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pettis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pettis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Diaz after a bit of a struggle.
Pettis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Diaz.
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!

Pettis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pettis throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Link Pettis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Diaz blocks a head kick by Pettis.
Pettis scores with a head kick. Diaz tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Pettis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Diaz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Diaz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pettis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

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

Pettis clinches up against the cage.
Diaz tries to score a body lock takedown but Pettis shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Pettis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pettis misses with a head kick.

Diaz fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pettis to the ground. Diaz is now in Pettis's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Diaz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
An inside leg kick from Pettis misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pettis clinches up with Diaz and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis tries a knee to the head but Diaz blocks it.
Pettis holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Diaz is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henderson Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pettis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Diaz stuffs the takedown attempt from Pettis. Pettis gets slowly back to his feet.
Diaz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Diaz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pettis tries to avoid it but Diaz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pettis to the ground. Pettis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pettis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pettis connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pettis closes the distance and clinches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Pettis breaks the clinch.

Pettis clinches up with Diaz and pushes him back against the cage.
Pettis is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Pettis throws an elbow but it misses.
Diaz tries for a takedown but Pettis manages to get underhooks.
Diaz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pettis misses with a knee strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz letting Pettis take a breather here.
Diaz has Pettis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pettis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pettis breaks from the clinch.

Pettis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pettis misses with an elbow over the top.
Pettis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diaz blocks it with crossed arms.

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

Pettis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Diaz is trying to drag Pettis to the mat but Pettis just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pettis stops a takedown attempt from Diaz.
Come on Pettis - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Pettis breaks from the clinch.

Pettis has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Pettis is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Diaz wants a takedown but no success here.

Pettis manages to break the clinch.
Pettis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.

Diaz gets tackled into the cage by Pettis. Pettis maintains the clinch.
Link Pettis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pettis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz doesn't manage to clinch there - Pettis circles away.

Pettis clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pettis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pettis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Henderson Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Link Pettis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pettis 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Link Pettis!
During a confident post fight interview, Link Pettis thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.