PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Don Diego (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player comes to the cage accompanied by Kevin Gates feat. August Alsina - I Don't Get Tired. The crowd seem to be enjoying Diego's choice of entrance music: Tupac - I'm a Soldier. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Player
vs
Diego

178 cm
37
173 lbs
29 - 14 - 0

170 cm
28
188 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
Pitt Nutrition 160Q@$149

GREEN!160
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Don Diego!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diego looks to land a left hand but Player moved out of range nicely.
As Diego backs away, Player returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Diego darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Player sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Player scores with a takedown into Diego's guard.
Player trying to control but Diego is working from the bottom.
Player passes Diego's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Diego gets back to full guard.
Diego has his hands on Player's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Diego has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Player throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego is pulling down on Player's head to control his posture.
Let's hope that Diego has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Player is looking to work some ground and pound but Diego has wrist control.
Diego seems keen to control Player's posture.
Player advances to half guard.
Player looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diego with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Diego tries to get to full guard but Player has control of the leg.
Diego is looking to control Player's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diego avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Player scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Player thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Player wants to control but Diego is keeping him busy.
Player missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Player.
Diego told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Diego avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Player.
Diego is controlling Player's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Player throwing shots but Diego is blocking nicely.

Diego kicks off Player and gets to his feet.
Diego walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Player checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Player misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diego misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Player.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good work by Player as he checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diego feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Player's calf.
Diego punishes Player's body with a nice straight punch.
Diego scoring well with a low kick there.
Diego scores with a one two! Player had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A little jabbing left from Diego on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Player looks to score with a jab to the body but Diego is just out of range.
Player on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Diego moves out of range of the leg kick from Player.
Player throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Player connects with a crisp jab.
Don Diego is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diego lands a right hook to the body.
Player throws a right hand that misses
and Diego makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Player really felt that one!
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!
Diego thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diego slips under a jab.
Player changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diego tries to avoid it but Player manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diego to the ground. Diego escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Player throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diego's waist but Diego gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Player off to one side.
Player takes one to the side of the head.
Diego looks to land a left hand but Player moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player misses with a body shot.
Diego misses with a looping right.
Diego throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diego throws a nice looking combination but Player bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Player avoids the body shot from Diego.
Diego throws a series of punches but Player avoids them all with ease.
Diego throws a right hand that Player ducks under and follows up with a left that Player also avoids with ease.
Player misses with a straight right.
Player looks to land a left hand but Diego moved out of range nicely.
Player throws a leg kick but Diego checks it.
Player jabs Diego right on the nose. Diego blinks but takes it well.
Player stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Diego.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diego throws a series of punches but Player moves out of range.
Diego on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Player displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diego throws out the jab.
Player throws a hook to the side of Diego's head but Diego sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diego is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Diego dominated that round.
That's time! Player's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Diego throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
A head kick by Diego misses
and Player counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Player misses with a low kick.
Don Diego is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Player is looking to score with low kicks.
Diego lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Diego showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Player.
Diego is looking to clinch but Player is avoiding it.
Player blocks a jab.
Diego moves out of range of the leg kick from Player.
It seemed like Diego was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Player swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Diego ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Player moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Player finds it's target.
Player misses with a looping left.
Player lands with a right hand.
Don Diego seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Player misses with a straight left.
Diego throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diego wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player defending well as Diego loads up on a big left hand.
Diego punishes Player's body with a nice straight punch.
Diego throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Player dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Diego. That did some damage!
Player tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diego was well out of range. Poor timing from Player.
Player lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Diego tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Player is able to avoid easily.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diego throws a big shot that misses.
Diego misses the shot to the body.
Diego lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Player at a distance.
A slow jab from Diego misses its intended target.
Player defending well as Diego loads up on a big left hand.
Player feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Player scores with a jab to the body.
Player throws a leg kick but Diego sees it coming and moves out of range.
Diego throws a low kick but it's checked well by Player.
Diego is looking to clinch but Player is avoiding it.
Player pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Player was well out of range. Poor timing from Diego.
Diego misses with a looping left.
Diego connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Player steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diego.
Diego scoring well with a low kick there.
Player misses with a looping left.
And Diego responds with a good body kick, but Player manages to step out the way in time.
Diego lands with a cross.
Player throws a lazy right hand but Diego sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Diego just misses with a punch to the body.
Player uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diego.
Diego throws out a loose jab but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
Player misses with a wild body shot.
Player blocks a head kick by Diego.
Diego moves out of range as Player strikes.
Player throws a jab but it's blocked by Diego.
Player lands a jab.
Diego takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player looks to score with a jab to the body but Diego is just out of range.
Player misses with a wild body shot.
Diego checks a leg kick.
Diego misses with a wild combination.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Diego.
Diego pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diego just misses with a punch to the body.
Player thows a left - swing and a miss!
Player misses the jab.
Player misses with a looping left.
Player getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Player wants to slow Diego down by chopping away at his legs.
Diego jabs Player right on the nose. Player blinks but takes it well.
Diego lands with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diego tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Player manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Player misses with a low kick.
It seemed like Diego was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Diego keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Diego misses with a hook
and Player counters with a leg kick.
Player goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Player tries to work over Diego's front leg with a kick but Diego checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Diego.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player blocks a head kick by Diego.
Player scoring well with a low kick there.
Diego throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diego fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Player is out of range.
A cross from Player lands.
Player swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diego throws an off balance right hand
and Player counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Player misses with a hook.
Player throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Player lunges at Diego with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Diego's hand.
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 Gary Player will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diego lands a nice leg kick that just misses Player's sensitive parts.
Diego throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
Player is looking to counter punch.
Diego ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Player moves away.
Player moves out of range of the body kick from Diego.
Diego misses with a looping right.
Diego blocks a leg kick.
Diego is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Player.
Player just misses with a punch to the body.
Diego blocks a head kick by Player.
Player turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Diego leaves Player with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diego throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diego tries to clinch there but Player circles away.
As Diego backs away, Player returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Diego keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Player misses with a leg kick.
Diego scores with a shot to the body.
Player checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diego. Diego obviously looking to wear him down.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diego looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Player gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Player misses with a hook. Diego ducked under it nicely.
Diego misses with a left hand
and Player counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A leg kick checked by Diego.
Diego misses with a two punch combination.
Diego fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Player on the side of the head.
Diego fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Player has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Diego slaps away a takedown attempt from Player, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Player.
Diego looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Good work by Diego as he checks the leg kick.
Player slips a straight right by Diego.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Diego is predictable there
and Player counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Player throws a leg kick that misses.
Player throws a nice outside leg kick.
Diego bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diego misses with a straight right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Player.
Diego misses with a wild body shot.
Player checks a low kick from Diego.
Both fighters circling a little - Player finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A big left from Player misses.
Player throws an overhand right that lands on Diego's shoulder, as Diego tries to avoid the shot.
Player will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Diego throws a leg kick which misses Player's front leg but catches the back leg as Player tries to avoid it.
Diego throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A low kick from Diego is predictable there
and Player counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diego comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Player misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diego swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Player.
Diego pushes Player away with a front kick.
Player attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Diego throws a leg kick but Player sees it coming and moves out of range.
Player is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Player moves away from the strike by Diego.
Player throws the kick towards the body but Diego avoids it.
Player lands a jab to the head.
Diego keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Diego tries a quick counter leg kick but Player is wise to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Player. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diego looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Player walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Diego steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Player.
Diego pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diego moves out of range of the leg kick from Player.
Diego uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player lands a head shot.
Diego fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diego takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Player blocks the body kick.
Player misses with a straight left.
Diego throws a sloppy head kick and Player moves out of range easily.
Diego misses with a wild body shot.
Player looks to land a right hand but Diego moved out of range.
Diego appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Player is looking to slow Diego down with leg kicks.

Diego moves into the clinch successfully.
Player misses with some punches.
Diego misses with a punch on the inside.
Player tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Player.
Diego blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Diego.
Diego throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Players head.
Diego throws a punch but it's blocked by Player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Don Diego just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Player's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Diego waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Player.
Player misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Player is defended easily by Diego.
Diego stuffs the takedown attempt from Player. Player gets slowly back to his feet.

Player shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Player was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Diego throws Player to one side and escapes!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Player takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
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!
Diego throws a leg kick that misses.
Player lands a leg kick that knocks Diego off balance momentarily.
A bone on bone clash there as Diego blocks the leg kick.
Diego dips to his left and cracks Player with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego throws a right hand that misses
and Player counters with a leg kick.
Player takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Diego has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Diego on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Diego misses with a few strikes there.
Diego has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Diego there as he acknowledges the shot.
Diego throws a leg kick that misses.
Player looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Player. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Player scores with a takedown into Diego's guard.
Player throws a big elbow that misses.
Player has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Player's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Player makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Diego has control of Player's left arm, preventing Player from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Diego.
Diego is continuing to stall.
Diego working a defensive guard but Player passes into half guard.
Player is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Player controlling the action here.
Player is nestled in close to Diego, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Diego is trying to maintain the position but Player is very close to passing his half guard.
Player wants to control but Diego is keeping him busy.
Player not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Diego is concentrating on defense, preventing Player from advancing position.
Diego blocking the ground and pound attempt from Player.
Player not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Diego controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Player is thwarting Diego's attempts to control the position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Player lets loose with a powerful body kick. Diego will feel that in the morning.
Diego throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
Player connects with a body shot.
Player fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Diego throws a series of punches but Player avoids them all with ease.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Player darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Player throws a chopping leg kick but Diego manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Diego throws a leg kick
and Player counters with a good low kick that Diego was not able to check.
Diego jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Player throwing a counter right hand but Diego manages to avoid it.
Player stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Decent striking displayed by Player there.
Player throws a lazy head kick
and Diego counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A slow jab from Player misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player had his way with Don Diego in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Player throws a body kick that misses
and Diego counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Player shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Player finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Diego slips under a jab from Player.
A combination from Diego does no damage.
Player throws a hook but Diego blocks it.
Diego looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Player blocks a head kick by Diego.
Player takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Diego fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diego throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Player checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diego tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Player paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Diego will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diego looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Diego has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Player finds it's way round the side to connect with Diego's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Player.
Diego takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Diego is trying to get back to half guard.
Player scores with a couple of short elbows.
Diego struggling a bit here.
Diego gets back to half guard.
Diego is controlling Player's trapped leg to prevent Player from advancing to side control.
Player is keen to just control but Diego is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diego keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Player thows a huge punch but Diego dodges it nicely.
Player prevents Diego from improving his position.
Diego is still trying to improve position.
Diego controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Player throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Diego trying to control but Player postures up.
Player trying to control from half guard but Diego is working away.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player throwing shots but Diego is blocking nicely.
Player takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
An inside leg kick lands from Diego.
Player missing with a left hand there. Diego was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diego throws a nice inside leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Diego checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Player is defended easily by Diego.
Diego appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Player shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diego as he jumps to the side.
A little jabbing left from Diego on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Player keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diego tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Player wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Player misses its intended target.
Player moves out of range of the body kick.
Diego lands with a thumping leg kick.
Player does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Diego keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Player.
Player connects with a good right hand that stumbles Diego. Diego circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Diego works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Diego tries to clinch but Player is having none of it.
Player bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Diego's head.
Diego is looking to land body kicks.
An inside leg kick from Diego misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Player fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diego manages to avoid it.
Diego thows a body kick. Player tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Player tries a low kick but Diego avoids it.
Player getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gary Player.
I think Player 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gary Player!
Gary Player decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
The defeated Don Diego had this to say: 'WOW, rematch please.'.