PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Diaz (ranked 4775 p4p, 474 weight class) and Donald McCalister (ranked 7048 p4p, 581 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Diaz
vs
McCalister

185 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
178 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Hellraiser FightGear

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alex Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Donald McCalister!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McCalister.
McCalister shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diaz as he avoids it easily.
McCalister throws a nice head kick!
Diaz tries to bum rush McCalister with a series of wild strikes but McCalister uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Diaz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

McCalister moves into the clinch.
Diaz tries to throw a body punch but McCalister avoids it by throwing Diaz back against the cage.
McCalister can't get the takedown.
Alex Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald McCalister.
McCalister drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Diaz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but McCalister has him pressed against the cage.

McCalister decides to pull guard.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but McCalister is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCalister manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Diaz manages to get himself to full guard.

McCalister controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCalister told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCalister slips nicely into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McCalister in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Diaz tries to regain full guard. Instead though, McCalister has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCalister tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Let's hope that McCalister has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
McCalister with shots to the head and body - Diaz looks very uncomfortable down there.
McCalister tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
McCalister looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
McCalister controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like McCalister might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald McCalister dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McCalister pushes Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.
McCalister tries to pull guard but Diaz won't allow it.

McCalister pulls guard successfully.
Donald McCalister has got the better of the ground game so far.
McCalister pulls Diaz in close to prevent any damage.

Diaz decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Diaz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz sets himself, and McCalister steps forward looking for the clinch! Diaz avoids it this time.

McCalister takes the fight into the clinch.
McCalister has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

McCalister is trying to trip Diaz. He has hold of a leg but Diaz is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. McCalister persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
McCalister sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Diaz's guard.
McCalister controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz won't allow McCalister to pass to mount.
McCalister sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Diaz pushes McCalister off looking to stand but McCalister dives back in and keeps control.
McCalister perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Diaz tries to get to full guard but McCalister has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McCalister performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
McCalister seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Diaz is trying to stand up here but McCalister is controlling him well.
McCalister takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And McCalister tries to counter it with a takedown but Diaz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McCalister goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McCalister.
Alex Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald McCalister.

McCalister clinches up with Diaz and pushes him back against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz stopping the sweep attempt from McCalister.
McCalister is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Diaz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McCalister is pulling down on Diaz's head. It's preventing any offense from Diaz, at least for the moment.
McCalister looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Diaz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCalister tries for a takedown but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McCalister slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
McCalister will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McCalister has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Diaz tries to bum rush McCalister with a series of wild strikes but McCalister uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Diaz both land. Nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCalister needs to keep his hands up - Diaz had a free shot at his head there.
McCalister shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diaz but Diaz pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Diaz gets tackled into the cage by McCalister. McCalister maintains the clinch.

McCalister pulls guard effortlessly.

Diaz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McCalister, up you get!
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCalister moves away.

Diaz gets caught flat footed, as McCalister shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McCalister is standing up over Diaz. Diaz looks to escape but McCalister dives into side control.

McCalister moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
McCalister is continuing to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Diaz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diaz slaps away a takedown attempt from McCalister, before circling back to the center of the mat.

McCalister clinches up against the cage.
McCalister is trying to pull guard but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.

McCalister has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Diaz uses from the top position.

Diaz stands up from McCalister's guard - Diaz perhaps looking for a knockout.
Diaz throws a series of punches but McCalister moves out of range.
McCalister is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

McCalister closes the distance and clinches.
McCalister is trying to pull guard but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
Alex Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald McCalister.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McCalister has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz has had enough of the clinch but McCalister keeps him there for the moment.
McCalister tries to pull guard but Diaz won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz has had enough of the clinch but McCalister keeps him there for the moment.
McCalister has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Diaz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCalister 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.
McCalister tries to score a body lock takedown but Diaz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Diaz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McCalister has Diaz pressed against the cage, preventing Diaz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCalister looking for a takedown.
McCalister takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz tries to circle away but McCalister has him pinned against the cage.
Diaz tries to break free but McCalister pushes him back against the cage.
McCalister drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diaz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

McCalister turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and McCalister manages to end up in side control.
McCalister happy to just control the position for now.
Diaz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but McCalister is controlling him well.
McCalister working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but McCalister is controlling him well.
McCalister controlling the position.
McCalister's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
More stalling from McCalister.
McCalister works to advance to full mount. Diaz defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
McCalister controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCalister with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Diaz can't escape the position.
McCalister scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Diaz?
McCalister looking to control and managing it successfully.
McCalister landing strikes, looking to finish!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCalister controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald McCalister really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

McCalister shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than McCalister was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McCalister taking a breather here.
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The adventures of McCalister the control monster continue. Boring.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alex Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz misses the shot to the body.

McCalister has closed the distance and engaged Diaz in a clinch.
Diaz is trying to force a seperation but McCalister has the dominant position.
McCalister has Diaz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diaz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Diaz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Diaz takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Alex Diaz has been cut.
McCalister drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alex Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald McCalister.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice straight punches there by Diaz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Diaz.
Nice sprawl there from Diaz as McCalister shoots in.

McCalister gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCalister pulls Diaz into guard.
McCalister is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
McCalister pulls Diaz in to control the position.
McCalister looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Diaz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Diaz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McCalister is controlling Diaz's posture.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but McCalister is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCalister wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Diaz gets to his feet. McCalister looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
McCalister looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diaz swats away the attempt to clinch by McCalister.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
McCalister showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCalister moves into the clinch.
McCalister unloads a knee to the mid-section. Diaz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
McCalister using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

McCalister jumps guard.
McCalister 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.
McCalister lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCalister sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald McCalister dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Alex Diaz's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McCalister.
McCalister throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diaz's waist but Diaz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McCalister off to one side.
Diaz with a hook.
Diaz swinging wildly here.
McCalister shoots for a takedown but Diaz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McCalister looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diaz is fending him off so far but McCalister persists. Nope, Diaz circles away and we're back to standing.
Alex Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald McCalister.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
McCalister dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
Nice takedown defense from Diaz. No joy for McCalister on that attempt.
McCalister takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Alex Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McCalister avoids a punch combination nicely.
McCalister wants to counter with a clinch but Diaz pushes him away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

McCalister feints and as Diaz raises his hands in defense, McCalister changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCalister controlling from the top position.
McCalister is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.

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.
McCalister controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from McCalister.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

McCalister has Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.

McCalister ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McCalister no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Donald McCalister is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Diaz stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McCalister.
McCalister fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Alex Diaz is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz connects with a nice looking jab.

Diaz tries to keep at a distance but McCalister has taken the fight into the clinch.
Donald McCalister seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but McCalister has him pressed against the cage.

McCalister gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Diaz regains guard.
McCalister tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaz is retaining full guard.
McCalister slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Diaz wants to stand and escape but McCalister is having none of it.
Diaz looking to control.
McCalister controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.

McCalister decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Diaz lands with a shot to the body.

Diaz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McCalister to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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!
McCalister forces his way into half guard.
McCalister is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Diaz!

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 Alex Diaz.
I think McCalister 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donald McCalister!
An out of breath and clearly excited Donald McCalister thanked Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
Alex Diaz spoke after the fight, saying 'we just have to evaluate our game plan and see what we did wrong and come back even better than before this wont be the end for me'.