PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juan Villa (ranked 4367 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye (ranked 3715 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Villa
vs
Diop Ndiaye

181 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juan Villa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diop Ndiaye tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Villa swivels and escapes.
Diop Ndiaye closes the distance and clinches up with Villa, looking for a takedown. Diop Ndiaye pushes Villa against the cage but Villa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diop Ndiaye scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Villa forces Diop Ndiaye back against the cage and clinches.

Villa breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Villa is defended easily by Diop Ndiaye.
Diop Ndiaye looks for a takedown but Villa sprawls well.
Villa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Juan Villa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye.
Diop Ndiaye has his takedown stuffed

and Villa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Villa pulls guard effortlessly.

Villa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Diop Ndiaye throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Villa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Villa pulls Diop Ndiaye in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Villa looking to control.

Villa working for a triangle but Diop Ndiaye defends it easily.

Villa has an active guard here but Diop Ndiaye has managed to pass into half guard.
Diop Ndiaye looks to land a strike but Villa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Diop Ndiaye working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Villa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Villa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Villa pulls Diop Ndiaye in close to prevent any damage.
Diop Ndiaye loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diop Ndiaye throws a big right hand that misses.
Villa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Villa working for a triangle but Diop Ndiaye defends it easily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Diop Ndiaye looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diop Ndiaye manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Villa on his heels. He'll look to pass Villa's guard now, I'm sure.

Villa is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Diop Ndiaye presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Diop Ndiaye wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Villa has him pressed against the cage.

Villa manages to break the clinch.
Villa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Villa wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Villa as Diop Ndiaye shoots in.
Villa wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Diop Ndiaye looks winded!

Villa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Villa stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Diop Ndiaye tries to clinch up but Villa circles away and keeps his distance.
Villa shoots in looking for a takedown. Diop Ndiaye tries to sprawl out of it but Villa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Diop Ndiaye manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye scores with a decent looking hook.
We've been informed that Diop Ndiaye has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Diop Ndiaye darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Villa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diop Ndiaye defends it nicely.
Diop Ndiaye tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Villa feints and as Diop Ndiaye raises his hands in defense, Villa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diop Ndiaye is looking to stand back up but Villa counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Diop Ndiaye.

Still in half guard, Villa seems content to control.
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 Juan Villa will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Villa leaves Diop Ndiaye with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Villa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diop Ndiaye tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Villa is in Diop Ndiaye's guard.

Diop Ndiaye kicks Villa off and gets to his feet.
Diop Ndiaye will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diop Ndiaye.
Juan Villa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye.

Villa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Diop Ndiaye is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Villa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Diop Ndiaye looking for a takedown.
Diop Ndiaye is breathing heavily.

Villa manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye throws a lazy body kick

and Villa counters with a shoot takedown. Diop Ndiaye fights it but they end up in guard.
Villa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Villa advances position into side control!
Villa slows the pace down.

Villa decides to stand back up.

Villa moves into range and clinches up with Diop Ndiaye.
Villa gets underhooks to prevent Diop Ndiaye's takedown attempt.
Diop Ndiaye pushes off an throws an elbow but Villa leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Villa manages to pull guard.
Villa wants to sweep here but Diop Ndiaye controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Villa trying to control the position here.

Villa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Diop Ndiaye won't allow Villa to sweep him here.
Villa pulls Diop Ndiaye in close to prevent any damage.
Villa continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Diop Ndiaye bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Villa's head.
Juan Villa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diop Ndiaye shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Villa defends it nicely.
Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Villa misses with a few strikes there.

Villa has closed the distance and engaged Diop Ndiaye in a clinch.
Diop Ndiaye has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Diop Ndiaye is trying to break the clinch but Villa has him pressed against the cage.

Villa tightens his grip and picks Diop Ndiaye up, before dumping him to the ground. Diop Ndiaye manages to land in guard.
Diop Ndiaye tries to strike from the bottom.
Villa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Villa throws a big elbow that misses.
Villa controls from within his opponent's guard.
Diop Ndiaye tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Diop Ndiaye shoots in and drives through. Villa sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Villa dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Villa stuffs the takedown attempt from Diop Ndiaye. Diop Ndiaye gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck for Diop Ndiaye with that takedown attempt.
Diop Ndiaye tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Villa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Diop Ndiaye's guard.
Diop Ndiaye is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Villa dives into side control.

Villa throws an elbow but Diop Ndiaye slips to the side and avoids it well.
Villa passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Diop Ndiaye!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Villa working for a submission but Diop Ndiaye is keeping him at bay.
Diop Ndiaye is looking to improve his position but Villa isn't that keen on the idea.
Diop Ndiaye takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Villa controlling from the full mount.

Villa is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Villa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Diop Ndiaye closes the distance and clinches up with Villa, looking for a takedown. Diop Ndiaye pushes Villa against the cage but Villa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Juan Villa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye.

Villa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Villa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Villa breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye walks into a left hand.
Diop Ndiaye misses with a kick to the body

and Villa counters with a shoot takedown. Diop Ndiaye fights it but they end up in guard.
Diop Ndiaye is wriggling around but Villa manages to pass to half guard.

Villa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diop Ndiaye can do to turn this around?
Diop Ndiaye is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Villa scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Villa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Villa thows a huge punch but Diop Ndiaye dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diop Ndiaye wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Villa seems content to control.
Villa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Diop Ndiaye's head.
Villa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Villa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Diop Ndiaye looking for submissions off his back.
Villa is controlling the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four 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.
Some wild striking there from Villa.
Juan Villa is winning the standup battle so far.
Diop Ndiaye misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Villa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Diop Ndiaye.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Villa.
Villa with the ground and pound but Diop Ndiaye regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Villa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Abdoulaye Diop Ndiaye has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juan Villa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Villa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Villa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Villa!