PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Polo Cambodia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franklin Diggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Diggins's choice of entrance music: Bonfire. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cambodia
vs
Diggins

160 cm
29
184 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

198 cm
29
193 lbs
10 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Polo Cambodia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Diggins!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cambodia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diggins tries to avoid it but Cambodia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diggins to the ground. Diggins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cambodia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cambodia closes the distance and clinches up with Diggins, looking for a takedown. Cambodia pushes Diggins against the cage but Diggins circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Polo Cambodia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diggins lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Polo Cambodia has been cut.
Cambodia misses with a hook.
Diggins moves in looking to clinch but Cambodia pushes him off.
Diggins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cambodia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diggins lands with a slapping head kick.
Diggins throws a head kick that Cambodia semi-blocks.
Diggins fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cambodia closes the distance and clinches up with Diggins, looking for a takedown. Cambodia pushes Diggins against the cage but Diggins circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Diggins enables Cambodia to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Diggins manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Diggins controlling the position.
Diggins is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diggins controlling Cambodia's posture.
Cambodia wants to control from the top but Diggins keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Diggins throws out a powerful jab.
Cambodia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cambodia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Diggins sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Cambodia shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cambodia was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cambodia throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Diggins is trying to control Cambodia's posture but Cambodia avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cambodia wants to stand but Diggins has his arm trapped.
You can see the frustration on Diggins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins is looking to reverse the position.
Cambodia trying to control the action but Diggins is working from the bottom.
Cambodia content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Diggins throws out a loose jab but Cambodia uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cambodia, as that shot connected.
Diggins ducks under a wild hook from Cambodia.
Cambodia swats away the attempt to clinch by Diggins.
Cambodia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diggins as he jumps to the side.
Cambodia throws a lazy right hand but Diggins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cambodia.
Polo Cambodia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diggins wants to clinch up but Cambodia keeps it at a distance.
Diggins walks into a stiff left hand from Cambodia.
Cambodia with a poor takedown
and Diggins counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Cambodia is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Diggins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Diggins tries to sprawl but Cambodia drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Cambodia content to control rather than advance.
Diggins trying to control from the bottom.
Diggins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Diggins preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Diggins is trying to control but can't.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cambodia misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cambodia scores with a crisp jab that stopped Diggins in his tracks.

Diggins gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cambodia to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diggins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Cambodia won't allow Diggins to sweep him here.
Diggins has control of Cambodia's left arm, preventing Cambodia from doing any damage.
Cambodia trying to control but Diggins is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Polo Cambodia just wasn't active enough.
Cambodia shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diggins pinned against the cage. Diggins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Diggins moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Franklin Diggins will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Polo Cambodia's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cambodia tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Diggins defends well and Cambodia ends up having to push Diggins into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Diggins missing with knees to the body.
Diggins displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cambodia up against the cage.
Diggins tries to land knees in the clinch but Cambodia avoids the damage to the body.
Cambodia blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cambodia managing to block the knees to the body from Diggins.
Diggins trying to stall but Cambodia improves his position.
Diggins misses with a knee strike.
Diggins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cambodia has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Diggins breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cambodia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diggins but Diggins pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Diggins scores with a nice head shot.

Cambodia shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Diggins wants to get back to full guard.
Diggins is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Diggins wants to control but Cambodia is keeping busy.
Cambodia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diggins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diggins is positioning himself well to prevent Cambodia advancing to mount.
Polo Cambodia overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Diggins is looking for a sweep. Cambodia is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diggins keeps trying to improve his position.
Diggins keeping control of the position.
Cambodia wants to take a breather but Diggins is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Polo Cambodia just wasn't active enough.
Cambodia moves in looking to clinch but Diggins pushes him off.
Cambodia shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diggins pinned against the cage. Diggins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Polo Cambodia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cambodia lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diggins circles away quickly and effectively.
Diggins tries to clinch up.
Diggins connects with a high kick.
Cambodia missing with a left hand there. Diggins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cambodia misses with a takedown attempt - Diggins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cambodia shoots in looking for a takedown but Diggins manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cambodia's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diggins scores with a head kick. Cambodia tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Diggins throws a head kick but Cambodia moves out of range.
Cambodia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diggins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cambodia tries to close the distance and clinch but Diggins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cambodia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cambodia blocks a head kick by Diggins.
Cambodia fails with a takedown attempt.
Cambodia has his takedown stuffed
and Diggins counters with a nice leg kick.
Cambodia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Diggins counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cambodia loads up on a big right hand but Diggins slips the punch.
Diggins wants to clinch up but Cambodia keeps it at a distance.
Diggins lands a head kick!
Diggins changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cambodia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diggins defends it nicely.
Diggins on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cambodia blocks a head kick by Diggins.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cambodia blocks a head kick by Diggins.
Cambodia throws a jab when Diggins was well out of range.
Cambodia fails with the takedown
and Diggins counters with a leg kick.

Diggins instigates a clinch.

Diggins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diggins ducks under a wild hook from Cambodia.
Franklin Diggins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diggins lands a jab.
Cambodia pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diggins throws a head kick that Cambodia semi-blocks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Diggins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Polo Cambodia's cut.
That's time! Cambodia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cambodia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Diggins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diggins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Diggins misses with a head kick.
Cambodia throws a right hand that misses

and Diggins counters by moving into the clinch.

Cambodia gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Diggins holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Diggins works his way to full guard. Good work.
Diggins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cambodia!
Cambodia is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Diggins throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggins can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cambodia is looking to escape.
Diggins controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins can't control as he wanted to and Cambodia manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Cambodia tries to kick Diggins off but Diggins keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Franklin Diggins hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Diggins slips a straight right by Cambodia.

Diggins tries to sprawl but Cambodia drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Diggins controlling the position well.
Cambodia is trying to control the action in half guard but Diggins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cambodia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diggins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diggins is trying to control but can't.
Diggins tries to roll over but Cambodia keeps him under control.
Cambodia wants to stand up but Diggins is controlling the position.
Cambodia is trying to control. Diggins wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cambodia throwing shots but Diggins is blocking nicely.
Cambodia throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Diggins trying to hold on to Cambodia's head to control him but Cambodia postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Cambodia misses.

Cambodia looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Diggins trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggins is holding on to half guard well.
Cambodia seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Well, if Cambodia 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cambodia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diggins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Polo Cambodia wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Diggins throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cambodia shoots for a double leg takedown but Diggins sprawls well. He's pushed Cambodia's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cambodia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diggins throws a head kick that Cambodia semi-blocks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diggins throws a sloppy head kick and Cambodia moves out of range easily.
Diggins moves out of range as Cambodia strikes.
Polo Cambodia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diggins connects with a solid leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Franklin Diggins.
I've got Diggins 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Franklin Diggins!
In his post fight interview, Franklin Diggins started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.