PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mat Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mountain Rivera (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
Rivera

185 cm
26
185 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

197 cm
38
274 lbs
21 - 63 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mat Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 63 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mountain Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivera shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diaz is trying to defend but Rivera finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rivera missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but Rivera has control of the leg.

Diaz actively working from the bottom here.
Rivera drops an elbow to the side of Diaz's head.

Rivera is trying to work for a kimura but Diaz is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Diaz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera postures up.
Rivera slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rivera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rivera is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Diaz is trying to keep Rivera in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Diaz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Diaz.

Rivera closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Diaz has control of Rivera's left arm, preventing Rivera from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rivera throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.
Rivera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivera postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
Diaz pulls Rivera in close to prevent any damage.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivera slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rivera dives in and scores a takedown into Diaz's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera stopping the sweep attempt from Diaz.
Diaz wants to stand but Rivera is controlling the position.
Rivera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rivera lands a couple of digs.
Rivera makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Diaz is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Den of Tears (22 coaches, $500 fee) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Rivera lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Diaz wants to sweep here but Rivera controlling him for the moment.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.

Rivera gets to his feet. Diaz looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rivera counters with a takedown into side control.

Diaz is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Rivera keeps moving and retains side control.
Oh Diaz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Diaz prevents Rivera from improving position.
Rivera sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Diaz is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Diaz seems to have got his legs back now.
Diaz tries to bench press Rivera off him but Rivera keeps the position.
Diaz is trying to escape the position but Rivera is controlling the position.
Rivera tries to score with some ground and pound. Diaz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Rivera moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Diaz is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivera looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Rivera wants to work for an arm triangle but Diaz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rivera lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mountain Rivera dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rivera tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Diaz defends well and Rivera ends up having to push Diaz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rivera has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Diaz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diaz lands a slapping body shot.
Diaz pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rivera back to the cage. Diaz follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rivera shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diaz pinned against the cage. Diaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Diaz scores with the left hand. Rivera knows he should have avoided that one.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rivera tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Diaz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
No luck for Rivera with that takedown attempt.
Mat Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mountain Rivera.
Rivera is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rivera darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rivera is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.
Rivera stops Diaz from getting back to his feet.
Rivera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diaz defending well though.
Rivera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Diaz pushes Rivera off looking to stand but Rivera dives back in and keeps control.
Diaz is trying to escape back to his feet but Rivera uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Check out the look on Rivera's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rivera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Diaz looks like he's trying to stand up.
Diaz is refusing to be controlled, as Rivera sits in half guard.
Rivera prevents Diaz from standing back up.
Rivera is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rivera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rivera scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but Rivera has control of the leg.
Rivera tries to pass to full mount but Diaz defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera lands with a punch from half guard.
Diaz gets back to full guard.
Rivera postures up in Diaz's guard and throws a big left but Diaz blocks it.
Rivera postures up.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rivera controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Diaz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivera circles away quickly and effectively.

Rivera shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rivera was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rivera wants to control but Diaz is keeping him busy.
The ground and pound from Rivera seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera wants to control for a moment but Diaz uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Diaz trying to control here.

Rivera seems to be looking for submissions.
Diaz works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mountain Rivera has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rivera is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rivera throwing strikes but missing.
Diaz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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 Mat Diaz will probably get the nod.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Mat Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.

Rivera changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Diaz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Diaz looking for a sweep but Rivera has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Diaz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Diaz gets back to half guard.

Diaz has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Rivera. Oh but Diaz has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Rivera goes limp - he's gone! Diaz jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mat Diaz!