PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kingsley Babajide (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and King Diamond (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?

Babajide
vs
Diamond

169 cm
29
163 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

167 cm
28
165 lbs
10 - 9 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kingsley Babajide!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, King Diamond!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diamond scores with a crisp jab that stopped Babajide in his tracks.
Babajide misses the shot to the body.
Diamond digs a good hook to Babajide's body.
A telegraphed right hand from Babajide misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Babajide.
Diamond looks to throw the jab but Babajide is out of range.
Babajide throws a big counter combination but Diamond scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Diamond scores with a hook.
Diamond fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babajide manages to avoid it.
Babajide misses the shot to the body.
Babajide ducks under a wild hook from Diamond.
Babajide thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diamond connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Babajide on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diamond digs a good body shot into Babajide's ribs.
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!
Diamond swinging wildly here.
Babajide misses with a hook. Diamond ducked under it nicely.
Babajide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diamond moves away.
Diamond misses with a two punch combination.
Diamond fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Babajide throwing a counter right hand but Diamond manages to avoid it.
Babajide throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diamond throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Babajide stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Diamond misses.
Diamond lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Babajide throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diamond throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Babajide sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diamond avoids the body shot from Babajide.
Babajide misses with a hook. Diamond ducked under it nicely.
Babajide fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Diamond checks it well.
Diamond's coach down at Touch Of Death Combat Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Diamond's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A good leg kick by Diamond.
Babajide dives in and grabs Diamond's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diamond pushes down on Babajide's head and hops out.
A looping hook to the body misses from Babajide. Diamond does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diamond uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Diamond cracks Babajide with a good jab.
Babajide throws a hook but Diamond avoids it easily.
Diamond lands a nice hook to Babajide's body. Babajide takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Diamond works the jab nicely.
Babajide connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Diamond's hands.
King Diamond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some wild striking there from Babajide.
Diamond scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond scores with a jab to the body.
Diamond tests Babajide's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Diamond throws a body punch but Babajide moves out of range.
Babajide takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jab by Diamond.
Babajide throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Diamond sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Babajide misses its intended target.
Babajide throws the left hand but Diamond avoids the punch easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Diamond.
Diamond swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diamond fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babajide manages to avoid it.
Diamond misses with a wild body shot.
Babajide throwing a counter right hand but Diamond manages to avoid it.
Diamond lands with a hook. Babajide tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Babajide defending well as Diamond loads up on a big left hand.

Babajide closes the distance and pushes Diamond back into the cage.

Babajide breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diamond swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diamond moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Diamond with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babajide takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Diamond keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Babajide.
Diamond with a nice cross.
Diamond thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice cross by Diamond.
Diamond swings for the body but Babajide moves out of range.
Babajide throws a lazy uppercut
and Diamond counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diamond scores with a jab to the jaw.
Diamond fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Babajide misses the target.
Diamond is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Babajide had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Diamond tests Babajide's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch lands to the side of Babajide 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Diamond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babajide moves away.
Diamond wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Babajide misses the jab.
Babajide misses with a wild body shot.
Diamond defending well as Babajide loads up on a big left hand.
Babajide gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jab by Diamond.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babajide thows a left - swing and a miss!
Babajide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diamond moves away.
Babajide cracks Diamond with an open hand slap.
Diamond checks the leg kick.
Diamond works the jab nicely.
Diamond with a nice cross.
Diamond throws a hook but Babajide blocks it.
Diamond is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Babajide.
Left hook, right uppercut from Diamond.
Diamond throws a poor cross that misses
and Babajide counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Babajide misses with an uppercut.
Babajide tries to score with a low kick but Diamond moves his leg out of the way.
Diamond throws out a counter right but Babajide avoids it with no problem.
Babajide keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diamond with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Babajide to score with a decent uppercut.

It looks like King Diamond has been cut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diamond connects with a right hand. Babajide shakes it off.
Diamond connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Babajide walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Babajide on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Diamond slips a jab and a cross from Babajide.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

King Diamond dominated that round.
The cut man is working on King Diamond's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Babajide takes one on the button.
King Diamond seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Diamond throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Babajide sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Diamond scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Babajide swings for the body but Diamond moves out of range.
Diamond takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Diamond swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Diamond.
Diamond moves out of range of the leg kick from Babajide.
Babajide throws a big shot that misses.
Diamond misses with a hook
and Babajide counters with a straight right hand.
Babajide looks to land a combination. Diamond sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Babajide uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diamond.
Diamond with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diamond with a hook.
Diamond catches Babajide with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Diamond throws a series of punches but Babajide moves out of range.
Babajide pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Babajide misses with a wild body shot.
Diamond looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Babajide takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Diamond misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond misses with a two punch combination.
Diamond lands with a hook. Babajide tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Diamond avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Diamond misses with a hook.
Diamond slips a jab from Babajide.
Diamond misses with a wild combination.
Babajide is looking to counter punch.
Babajide avoids a punch combination nicely.
Babajide misses with a low kick.
Diamond has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Babajide swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Babajide slips under a jab.
Babajide is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diamond.
Babajide lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Babajide.
Babajide looks to score with a jab to the body but Diamond is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Babajide.
As Diamond tries to get set, Babajide tries to push him back and clinch up but Diamond manages to avoid the attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Diamond works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Babajide takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Babajide looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond lands a jab to the nose.
Babajide ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An attempted straight right counter from Babajide misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Diamond.
Diamond throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Babajide throws a big counter combination but Diamond scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Babajide throws a shot from downtown. Diamond moves away and avoids it.
Good shot there by Babajide.
Diamond lands a right hook to the body.
Babajide moves in looking to clinch but Diamond pushes him off.
Diamond digs a good hook to Babajide's body.
Babajide throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Babajide swings for the body but Diamond moves out of range.
Babajide misses the jab.
Diamond throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diamond defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Babajide.
Diamond walks into a stiff left hand from Babajide.
Nice uppercut lands for Diamond. That snapped Babajide's head back.
Diamond looks to land a left hand but Babajide moved out of range nicely.
Diamond stuns Babajide with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Diamond misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diamond lands with an uppercut that bounces Babajide off the cage and back into range.
Babajide loads up on a big right hand but Diamond slips the punch.
A jab lands there for Diamond.
Diamond on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Diamond misses the target.

Babajide rushes Diamond and presses him up against the cage.

Babajide manages to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Diamond.
Diamond displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Diamond walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That has opened up King Diamond's cut even more.
Babajide misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Babajide scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Diamond throws a looping overhand right but Babajide ducks down to avoid it.
A nice combination there by Diamond.
Diamond sizes up Babajide with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Babajide throws a right and a left that both miss.
Babajide swings for the body but Diamond moves out of range.
Diamond tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diamond scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Diamond fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Diamond connects with a single shot there.
Diamond feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Babajides jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Diamond staying out of range there.
Diamond with the counter takedown but Babajide avoids it easily.
Babajide stalks Diamond and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Diamond's face. Diamond staggers backwards, shaken.
Babajide misses with a hook. Diamond ducked under it nicely.
Babajide misses with a wild combination.
The crowd cheers as Diamond lands an impressive looking overhand right. Babajide doesn't seem phased though.
Babajide takes one to the side of the head.
Diamond blocks a head kick by Babajide.
Babajide falls off balance throwing a combination
and Diamond cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diamond slips under a jab from Babajide.
Diamond goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Babajide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diamond moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

King Diamond showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on King Diamond's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A shot to the liver by Babajide. Beautiful body shot.
Babajide throws a chopping leg kick but Diamond manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Diamond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babajide moves away.
Babajide will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diamond. Babajide does a little dance to reset his feet.
Babajide throwing a counter right hand but Diamond manages to avoid it.
Babajide has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Diamond finds it's way round the side to connect with Babajide's head.
Kingsley Babajide is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Diamond misses the target.
Babajide is looking to chop away at Diamond's legs.
A cross from Diamond lands.
Diamond throws a combination. Babajide tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Diamond scores with a jab to the jaw.
Diamond slips under a jab.
Babajide thows a left - swing and a miss!
Babajide moves forwards but Diamond connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diamond throws a shot to the body.
Babajide takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A telegraphed right hand from Diamond misses the target.
Babajide swings for the body but Diamond moves out of range.
Diamond fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babajide tests Diamond's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Diamond throws a looping overhand right but Babajide ducks down to avoid it.
Diamond scores with a hook to the body. Babajide takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Babajide steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diamond.

Babajide closes the distance and pushes Diamond back into the cage.
Babajide lands with a left to the head.
Babajide misses with a hook from the clinch.
Babajide swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diamond blocks an uppercut.
Diamond tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Babajide avoids it.
Babajide blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diamond is stalling here.
Babajide effectively controlling the action here.
Babajide dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
King Diamond is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Babajide's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diamond scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
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!
Diamond slips under a jab.
Diamond looks to land a combination but Babajide avoids it well.
Diamond throws a lazy right hand but Babajide sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Babajide avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A head kick misses from Babajide.
Diamond connects with the punch.
Babajide keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Diamond.
Diamond misses the shot to the body.
Diamond swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Babajide was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Diamond.
Diamond rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Babajide moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd cheers as Diamond lands an impressive looking overhand right. Babajide doesn't seem phased though.
Diamond misses the shot to the body.
Diamond scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diamond avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diamond tries to bum rush Babajide with a series of wild strikes but Babajide uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Babajide takes a swing at Diamond's ribcage but misses.
Babajide is looking to land body kicks.
Nice jab there from Diamond.
Kingsley Babajide has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big left from Diamond misses.
Diamond slips a jab from Babajide.
Babajide misses with a series of wild punches.
Babajide ducks under a wild hook from Diamond.
Diamond connects with a single shot there.
Diamond connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Diamond uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Babajide.
Diamond swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diamond keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Babajide just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Diamond was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diamond steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Babajide.
Diamond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babajide moves away.
Diamond throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Babajide. Diamond does a little dance to reset his feet.
Babajide sets himself, and Diamond steps forward looking for the clinch! Babajide avoids it this time.
Diamond throws a series of punches but Babajide avoids them all with ease.
Babajide rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diamond moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Babajide doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Babajide misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Babajide has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Babajide there as he acknowledges the shot.
Diamond comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Diamond dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice shot lands for Diamond.
Diamond looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Babajide appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Diamond lands with a hook. Babajide tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Babajide throws a jab when Diamond was well out of range.
Babajide scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Diamond misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Babajide.
As Diamond looks to move away, Babajide throws a big counter combo but Diamond just gets out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
King Diamond comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Diamond winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... King Diamond!
A relieved looking King Diamond thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.