PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nate Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Diaz
vs
Maximov

185 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
170 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nate Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Maximov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Diaz scores with a four punch combination!
Maximov takes one to the side of the head.
Maximov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diaz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diaz throws a body shot but no joy.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Maximov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Diaz did well to prevent Maximov getting side control.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maximov seems to be looking for submissions.

Maximov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Diaz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
Maximov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diaz keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.
Diaz wants to control but Maximov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maximov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Diaz looking for submissions off his back.
Maximov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Diaz is refusing to be controlled, as Maximov sits in half guard.
Maximov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maximov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Diaz can't escape the position.
Diaz tries to hold on but Maximov pushes him away.
Diaz looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Maximov raining down hammerfists from mount.
Diaz regains half guard.
Maximov working Diaz over with strikes.
Maximov trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Diaz is pressing down on Maximov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Maximov from controlling successfully.
Diaz is trying to control the position but Maximov postures up.
Maximov trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Maximov looking to sit in guard and control but Diaz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Diaz is pushing down on Maximov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maximov is fighting to maintain full guard but Diaz has managed to sneak the leg through.
Diaz is just content to waste time from the top position. Maximov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maximov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Maximov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Diaz trying to control but Maximov is working from the bottom.
Diaz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maximov is keeping the position for now.

Diaz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Maximov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Diaz, into his guard.

Maximov wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Maximov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Diaz connects with a crisp jab.
Diaz throws a body punch but Maximov moves out of range.

Maximov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diaz is trying to defend but Maximov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Diaz is trying to control but can't.
Maximov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Maximov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Diaz defends it well.
Diaz is trying to maintain the position but Maximov is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Maximov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Diaz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maximov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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 Maximov. Oh but Diaz has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Maximov goes limp - he's gone! Diaz jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Nate Diaz!