PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Diehard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Diehard has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Pierre
vs
Diehard

190 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leon Pierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steve Diehard!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pierre throws a push kick but Diehard slaps the foot to one side.

Pierre has taken the fight to the clinch.

Diehard jumps guard and drags Pierre to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Pierre controlling from the top position.
Pierre trying to control the position from guard on top but Diehard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diehard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pierre stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diehard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diehard wants to stand but Pierre is controlling the position.
Diehard controlling Pierre's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierre trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diehard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Pierre closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pierre lands in his opponent's guard.
Diehard 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.
Pierre trying to control the position from guard on top but Diehard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diehard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pierre. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pierre pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diehard is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diehard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Diehard looking to control.

Diehard has an active guard here but Pierre has managed to pass into half guard.
Pierre trying to control from half guard but Diehard is working away.
Pierre slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diehard is refusing to be controlled, as Pierre sits in half guard.

Pierre decides to stand up.
Diehard blocks a head kick by Pierre.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pierre tries to clinch but Diehard is having none of it.

Diehard moves into range and clinches up with Pierre.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Pierre is breathing heavily.
Pierre wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Diehard has him pressed against the cage.

Diehard gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Diehard wants to control from the top but Pierre keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pierre is trying to control the position but Diehard postures up.
Diehard trying to control but Pierre is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diehard gets to his feet - Pierre follows without any prompting.
Diehard stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Leon Pierre will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pierre stuffs the takedown.
Pierre shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Diehard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pierre wants to stand up but Diehard is controlling him.
Diehard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Pierre is looking to stand up but Diehard isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pierre will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diehard trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diehard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Diehard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Pierre looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diehard is one step ahead there.
Diehard stays in close to Pierre's body and controls the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Diehard misses with a takedown
and Pierre counters with a two punch combo.
Leon Pierre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pierre misses with a takedown attempt
and Diehard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

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.

Diehard closes the distance and clinches.

Diehard gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Pierre tries to strike from the bottom.
Diehard trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diehard with a nice head shot there.
Diehard thows a big elbow that misses.
Diehard sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Pierre trying to keep a closed guard but Diehard is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diehard trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pierre tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Diehard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pierre is fending him off so far but Diehard persists. Nope, Pierre circles away and we're back to standing.
Leon Pierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Diehard.
Pierre with a poor takedown

and Diehard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Diehard prevents the takedown attempt.
Pierre has Diehard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diehard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pierre jumps guard but Diehard stands there with Pierre around his waist. Pierre gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diehard tries for a takedown but Pierre manages to get underhooks.
Pierre is looking to break free of the clinch but Diehard has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Diehard tries to score a body lock takedown but Pierre shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Diehard gets control of Pierre's arms and successfully pulls guard. Diehard will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Pierre looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diehard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pierre manages to get himself to full guard.
Pierre is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Diehard preventing the sweep.
Diehard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Diehard tries to stand but Pierre is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Diehard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pierre's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Pierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pierre tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Diehard moves into the clinch.
Pierre is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A right handed body shot lands from Diehard.

Diehard pulls guard successfully.
Diehard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pierre is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Diehard can do anything to dispel that myth.
Diehard controls Pierre momentarily but Pierre frees himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diehard lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Diehard is trying to keep Pierre in close.
Pierre looking to pass the guard.
Pierre trying to control but Diehard is working from the bottom.
Diehard wants to stand and escape but Pierre is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pierre with a poor takedown

and Diehard moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Diehard decides to pull guard.
Diehard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Diehard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pierre is stalling in the full guard.
Diehard wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Pierre is now in half guard.
Diehard trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierre is taking a breather. Diehard says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Pierre is tying to control. Diehard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Diehard gets back to full guard.
Diehard trying to keep a closed guard but Pierre is proving a slippery customer.
Pierre trying to control but Diehard is working from the bottom.
Diehard is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diehard is on top in guard.
Pierre controlling the position.
Diehard stops Pierre from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diehard wants to get up but he can't break Pierre's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Pierre looking to control.
Steve Diehard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pierre tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Diehard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Diehard has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Diehard!