PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kraschinsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthew Diaz has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Diaz
vs
Kraschinsky

195 cm
24
194 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matthew Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Kraschinsky!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kraschinsky avoids it really well and circles away.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kraschinsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Horrible takedown attempt by Diaz or perhaps it was just good defense by Kraschinsky, which made it look bad.
No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Diaz wants it to stay on the feet.
Diaz feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kraschinsky moves into the clinch.
Diaz fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Kraschinsky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kraschinsky's waist but Kraschinsky gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kraschinsky.
Diaz shoots and misses

and Kraschinsky counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kraschinsky.
Kraschinsky tries to score a body lock takedown but Diaz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Diaz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kraschinsky blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Diaz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Diaz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kraschinsky passes Diaz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kraschinsky controlling the action here.
Kraschinsky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Diaz wants to improve his position but Kraschinsky is controlling well.

Diaz looking for submissions off his back.
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.

Kraschinsky decides to stand up.
Kraschinsky shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kraschinsky clinches with his opponent.
Diaz avoids a wild elbow strike from Kraschinsky.

Kraschinsky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kraschinsky lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kraschinsky misses with a head kick.
Diaz blocks a head kick by Kraschinsky.
Diaz attempts a counter takedown but Kraschinsky avoids it well and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice combination there by Kraschinsky.
Kraschinsky has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraschinsky tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Diaz defends well and Kraschinsky ends up having to push Diaz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kraschinsky.

Diaz clinches up with Kraschinsky and pushes him back against the cage.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kraschinsky to keep the fight standing.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kraschinsky.

It looks like Matthew Diaz has been cut.
Come on Diaz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kraschinsky lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kraschinsky has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Diaz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kraschinsky tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

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

Kraschinsky moves into the clinch successfully.
Diaz manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Diaz lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kraschinsky drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but Kraschinsky turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kraschinsky dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matthew Diaz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diaz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kraschinsky counters with a two punch combo.
Kraschinsky lands with a nice combination. Diaz backs away looking to recover.
Kraschinsky keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice takedown defense from Diaz. No joy for Kraschinsky on that attempt.
Kraschinsky fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kraschinsky scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kraschinsky looks for a takedown but Diaz sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kraschinsky throws a quick inside leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraschinsky taking a breather.
Kraschinsky tries to score a body lock takedown but Diaz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Matthew Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kraschinsky.

Kraschinsky breaks from the clinch.
Kraschinsky keeps the fight on the outside.

Kraschinsky gets tackled into the cage by Diaz. Diaz maintains the clinch.
Diaz is trying to pull guard but Kraschinsky has him pressed against the cage.
Kraschinsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kraschinsky managing to block the knees to the body from Diaz.
Kraschinsky looking for a takedown.
Diaz stalling against the cage.
Kraschinsky with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz jumps guard but Kraschinsky turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kraschinsky jumps guard but Diaz stands there with Kraschinsky around his waist. Kraschinsky gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Diaz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Diaz prevents the takedown attempt.
Diaz can't find room to land a body shot as Kraschinsky controls the action.
Diaz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kraschinsky just stands there and leans against the cage.
Diaz just leaning against Kraschinsky, taking a breather.
Kraschinsky is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kraschinsky lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraschinsky is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kraschinsky is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Diaz to keep the fight standing.

Kraschinsky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kraschinsky shoots in looking for a takedown but Diaz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kraschinsky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diaz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kraschinsky throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kraschinsky moves out of range of the body kick.
And Kraschinsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Diaz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Diaz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diaz attempts a counter takedown but Kraschinsky avoids it well and moves away.
Ivan Kraschinsky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kraschinsky counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Diaz. No joy for Kraschinsky on that attempt.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kraschinsky as he jumps to the side.
Kraschinsky lands a head kick. Diaz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nice sprawl there from Kraschinsky as Diaz shoots in.

Diaz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kraschinsky looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kraschinsky tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Diaz working the ground and pound but Kraschinsky is defending the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kraschinsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matthew Diaz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
Kraschinsky shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Kraschinsky.
Kraschinsky tries to clinch up.
Kraschinsky connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ivan Kraschinsky seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Diaz rushes Kraschinsky and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kraschinsky jumps guard but Diaz turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Kraschinsky jumps guard and drags Diaz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Diaz has gone for a leg lock! Kraschinsky slips out almost immediately though and dives into Diaz's guard.

Kraschinsky pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diaz is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diaz is working an open guard so Kraschinsky takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kraschinsky is looking to clinch but Diaz is avoiding it.
Kraschinsky tries to score a power double leg takedown but Diaz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kraschinsky somewhat.
Matthew Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kraschinsky.
Diaz throws a combination that misses
and Kraschinsky counters with a one-two to the body.
Kraschinsky keeps the fight on the outside.
Diaz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kraschinsky counters with a head kick.
Diaz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz drives through and clinches with Kraschinsky against the cage.
Kraschinsky goes for a takedown attempt but Diaz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kraschinsky takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kraschinsky misses with a shot to the body

and Diaz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz wants to stand but Kraschinsky has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Diaz is keen to just control but Kraschinsky is a slippery customer.
Diaz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Diaz landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Diaz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kraschinsky is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kraschinsky is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraschinsky slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Diaz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Diaz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kraschinsky's guard.

Kraschinsky is looking for a triangle here but Diaz uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Diaz working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Diaz 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kraschinsky is letting Diaz control him for a moment.
Kraschinsky takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz taking a breather here.
Matthew Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Kraschinsky is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kraschinsky, who protects the arm well.

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 Matthew Diaz.
I think Kraschinsky has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kraschinsky!
Post fight, Ivan Kraschinsky stared into the camera and said 'I want to thank fans and sponsors. T'has been honor to fight for you. я люблю тебя Москва!'.