PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mirsad Ibrahimovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noel Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noel Diaz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ibrahimovic
vs
Diaz

178 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mirsad Ibrahimovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Noel Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz misses with an uppercut. Ibrahimovic saw that one coming.
Ibrahimovic is looking to counter the offense by Diaz and move into the clinch.
Ibrahimovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
Ibrahimovic goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
Diaz throws a right hand that misses

and Ibrahimovic counters with a shoot takedown. Diaz fights it but they end up in guard.

Diaz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ibrahimovic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Diaz is trying to keep Ibrahimovic in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibrahimovic trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Ibrahimovic throwing strikes from guard but Diaz blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ibrahimovic stopping the sweep attempt from Diaz.
Diaz keeps trying to improve his position.
Ibrahimovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Diaz enables Ibrahimovic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Diaz manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Diaz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ibrahimovic controls the pace.
Ibrahimovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ibrahimovic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Diaz 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ibrahimovic looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ibrahimovic manages to avoid it.
Ibrahimovic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Diaz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ibrahimovic somewhat.
Diaz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ibrahimovic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirsad Ibrahimovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Diaz counters with a left to the body.
Diaz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ibrahimovic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Diaz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've been hearing that Ibrahimovic has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ibrahimovic is keen to just control but Diaz is a slippery customer.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Ibrahimovic is trying to control. Diaz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ibrahimovic looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to get back to full guard here but Ibrahimovic has managed to pass to side control instead.
Diaz is trying to control Ibrahimovic's posture but Ibrahimovic avoids it.

Ibrahimovic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Diaz, who protects the arm well.
Ibrahimovic working the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz is being controlled here.

Ibrahimovic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ibrahimovic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirsad Ibrahimovic dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Diaz digs a good body shot into Ibrahimovic's ribs.
Diaz feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ibrahimovics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Diaz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ibrahimovic.
Mirsad Ibrahimovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ibrahimovic misses with a looping right.
Diaz scores with the left hand. Ibrahimovic knows he should have avoided that one.

Ibrahimovic scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic in side control, throwing shots but Diaz defends.
Diaz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ibrahimovic trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but Ibrahimovic has control of the leg.
Ibrahimovic is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Diaz tries to roll over but Ibrahimovic keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Ibrahimovic is working for a kimura but Diaz is defending it quite comfortably.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.
Diaz regains full guard. Nicely done.
Diaz wants to stand but Ibrahimovic is controlling the position.
Diaz can't keep his opponent in guard - Ibrahimovic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is pressing down on Ibrahimovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Diaz is looking to sweep but instead, Ibrahimovic has passed into half guard.
Diaz wants to improve his position but Ibrahimovic is controlling well.
Ibrahimovic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ibrahimovic is nestled in close to Diaz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Diaz is not content to let Ibrahimovic control the position.
Diaz has hold of Ibrahimovic's hands but Ibrahimovic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic wants to free his trapped foot but Diaz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ibrahimovic seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ibrahimovic trying to control from half guard but Diaz is working away.
Diaz is trying to control but can't.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ibrahimovic jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Diaz is looking to clinch.
Diaz has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Ibrahimovic is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Ibrahimovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ibrahimovic is looking to counter with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirsad Ibrahimovic dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Diaz misses with a jab to the body
and Ibrahimovic counters with a left and a right that stings Diaz.
Noel Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz throws a jab when Ibrahimovic was well out of range.
Diaz misses with a straight right.
Ibrahimovic shoots in looking for a takedown but Diaz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ibrahimovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ibrahimovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Diaz throws a body punch but Ibrahimovic moves out of range.
Ibrahimovic tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Diaz manages to circle out of the way.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Diaz dips to his left and cracks Ibrahimovic with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diaz drives through and clinches with Ibrahimovic against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Diaz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ibrahimovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diaz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirsad Ibrahimovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibrahimovic trying to land knees to the body.
Diaz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diaz tries to work over Ibrahimovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A frustrated look appears on Ibrahimovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Diaz working aggressively here.
Diaz misses with the head strike.
Diaz prevents Ibrahimovic from breaking the clinch.
Diaz avoiding damage as Ibrahimovic throws knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Diaz won't allow it.
Ibrahimovic tries for a takedown but Diaz manages to get underhooks.
Diaz misses with a punch on the inside.
Ibrahimovic working hard to break the clinch.
Ibrahimovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ibrahimovic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Diaz.
Diaz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Diaz lands with a right to the head.
Ibrahimovic is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Noel Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diaz throws a head punch that misses.
Diaz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Diaz lands a hook that snaps the head of Ibrahimovic backwards.
Diaz digs a right hand underneath Ibrahimovic's ribcage. Ibrahimovic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Diaz working aggressively here.
A right handed body shot lands from Diaz.
Ibrahimovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibrahimovic jumps guard but Diaz turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A hook to the body from Diaz.
Diaz has a couple of punches blocked by Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic blocking some punches.
Ibrahimovic wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Diaz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Diaz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic blocking some punches.
Ibrahimovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diaz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Diaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Ibrahimovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Noel Diaz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Diaz throws a head punch that misses.
Diaz pushes Ibrahimovic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ibrahimovic tries for a takedown but Diaz manages to get underhooks.
Diaz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ibrahimovic is trying to push Diaz away but Diaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A nice left hand lands by Diaz.
Diaz tries to throw a body punch but Ibrahimovic avoids it by throwing Diaz back against the cage.
Diaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibrahimovic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Diaz scores with a shoulder strike.
Diaz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is leaning against Ibrahimovic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Diaz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Diaz prevents the takedown attempt.
Ibrahimovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ibrahimovic wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Ibrahimovic blocking some punches.
Diaz throws a punch but it's blocked by Ibrahimovic.
Diaz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ibrahimovic backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diaz.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diaz.

Ibrahimovic ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ibrahimovic no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
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!

Ibrahimovic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Diaz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mirsad Ibrahimovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ibrahimovic 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Noel Diaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ibrahimovic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirsad Ibrahimovic!
A pretty intense looking Mirsad Ibrahimovic took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.