PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neal Diaz (ranked 6612 p4p, 5667 weight class) and Maleko Mahoe (ranked 203 p4p, 187 weight class). Diaz's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, BangaRang. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Diaz
vs
Mahoe

225 cm
21
300
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
300
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Conviction
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

MKFC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Neal Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maleko Mahoe!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahoe throws a good cross that connects.
Mahoe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Diaz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Diaz has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA Los Angeles in the buildup to the fight.
Diaz takes one to the side of the head.
Mahoe throws out a powerful jab.
Mahoe tests Diaz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Diaz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diaz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Diaz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Diaz fails with the takedown
enabling Mahoe to counter with a crisp jab.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mahoe, as that shot connected.
Neal Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diaz misses with a takedown attempt - Mahoe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neal Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mahoe to score with a decent uppercut.
Mahoe scores with a decent looking hook.
Mahoe works over Diaz's head and body with a nice combination.
Mahoe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Mahoe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Diaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mahoe is fending him off so far but Diaz persists. Nope, Mahoe circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoe connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Diaz's hands.
Nice body punch from Mahoe.
Mahoe should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Mahoe scores with a body shot.
Mahoe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diaz walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mahoe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Good shot there by Mahoe.
Maleko Mahoe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mahoe throws a one two combo.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mahoe works the jab nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz takes one on the button.
Mahoe listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Diaz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mahoe scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mahoe jabs Diaz right on the nose. Diaz blinks but takes it well.
Mahoe jabs Diaz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mahoe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Diaz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mahoe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mahoe.
Diaz moves forwards but Mahoe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mahoe closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe lands a jab to Diaz's midsection.
Mahoe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mahoe lands with a good body shot.
Mahoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Diaz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mahoe with a jab.
Mahoe punishes Diaz's body with a nice straight punch.
Mahoe cracks Diaz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mahoe is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Diaz had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Mahoe lands with an uppercut that bounces Diaz off the cage and back into range.
Diaz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mahoe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Diaz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mahoe listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mahoe's coach down at Clinch Pride was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Mahoe's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Diaz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Diaz tries to move into range but Mahoe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Diaz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mahoe scores with a jab to the head.
Diaz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe cracks Diaz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A jab from Mahoe finds it's way through Diaz's defenses.
Mahoe lands a jab to the head.
Diaz tries to move into range but Mahoe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Diaz. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Good shot there by Mahoe.
Diaz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Diaz gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mahoe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Diaz walks into a jab.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
As Diaz backs off Mahoe throws a huge counter combo but Diaz manages to avoid it all.
Mahoe throws out a powerful jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mahoe scores with the left hand. Diaz knows he should have avoided that one.
Mahoe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Diaz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Diaz walks into a stiff left hand from Mahoe.
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Diaz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe lands a nice shot that snaps Diaz's head back.
Mahoe with a nice cross.
Mahoe lands with a cross.
Mahoe stuns Diaz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mahoe scores with a jab to the body.
Mahoe lands a jab to Diaz's midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Mahoe.
Diaz throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mahoe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mahoe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mahoe scores with a nice strike.
A jab from Mahoe does it's job there.
Mahoe lands with a good body shot.
Mahoe lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahoe lands an overhand right.
Mahoe cracks Diaz with an open hand slap.
Mahoe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mahoe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Diaz backs up against the cage.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Mahoe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maleko Mahoe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mahoe lands with a hook. Diaz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.
Mahoe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diaz misses with a hook
and Mahoe counters with a straight right hand.
Mahoe scores with a jab to the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Mahoe.
Diaz throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Mahoe to counter with a crisp jab.
Diaz gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Diaz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mahoe lands with a cross.
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!
Diaz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mahoe listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mahoe jabs Diaz right on the nose. Diaz blinks but takes it well.
Mahoe looks to land a combination. Diaz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Diaz throws a combination that misses
and Mahoe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Diaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mahoe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Diaz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mahoe connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Diaz scrambles back to his feet.
Mahoe moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Diaz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mahoe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mahoe's corner calls for a 1-2. Mahoe obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Good exchange - Mahoe coming out on top.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Diaz.
Maleko Mahoe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mahoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Mahoe connects with a crisp jab.
Mahoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mahoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Diaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mahoe lands a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mahoe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mahoe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mahoe connects with a jab.
Mahoe scores with a three punch combo!
Mahoe scores with a jab. Diaz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mahoe scores with a decent looking hook.
Mahoe lands with a straight right. Diaz didn't see that one coming.
Mahoe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mahoe uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Diaz has time to react.
Mahoe scores with a decent looking hook.
Mahoe slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
Mahoe lands an overhand right.
Nice jab there from Mahoe.
Diaz walks into a straight right hand from Mahoe.
Mahoe lunges at Diaz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Diaz's hand.
A punch lands to the side of Diaz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mahoe connects with a good right hand that stumbles Diaz. Diaz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mahoe.
Diaz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mahoe connects with a body shot that sends Diaz's belly button to the back.
Diaz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mahoe thuds a left hand into Diaz's body.
A jab from Mahoe finds it's way through Diaz's defenses.
Neal Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahoe stuns Diaz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mahoe connects with the punch.
Mahoe cracks Diaz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Good standup being displayed there by Mahoe as he connects with a hook.
Diaz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahoe connects with a crisp jab.
Mahoe moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mahoe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mahoe.
Diaz walks into a stiff left hand from Mahoe.
Mahoe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mahoe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mahoe!
Mahoe sizes up Diaz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mahoe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mahoe jabs Diaz right on the nose. Diaz blinks but takes it well.
Mahoe getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mahoe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mahoe works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Diaz throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mahoe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diaz has his takedown stuffed
letting Mahoe counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neal Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mahoe swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Diaz.
Diaz walks into a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahoe clobbers Diaz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mahoe wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mahoe tests Diaz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mahoe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Diaz on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maleko Mahoe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mahoe lands a glancing blow to the side of Diaz's head.
Diaz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A right-left combo lands from Mahoe.
Mahoe connects with a good right hand that stumbles Diaz. Diaz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Diaz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mahoe circles away.
Mahoe scores with a nice strike.
Diaz misses with an uppercut.
Mahoe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mahoe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mahoe!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz tries for a takedown but Mahoe circles away easily
and Mahoe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mahoe cracks a nice hook into Diaz's ribs.
Diaz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Diaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mahoe.
A jab from Mahoe does it's job there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diaz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mahoe connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Diaz scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoe stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mahoe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mahoe dips to his left and cracks Diaz with an uppercut!
Mahoe scores with a nice right hand.
Mahoe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A lazy left from Mahoe finds it's target.
Mahoe throws out a powerful jab.
Diaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice jab there from Mahoe.
Diaz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice jab there from Mahoe.
Mahoe moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diaz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mahoe lands a nice hook to Diaz's body. Diaz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mahoe with a nice cross.
A left and a right from Mahoe both land. Nice combination.
Mahoe lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Diaz dives in for a single leg takedown but Mahoe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mahoe let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neal Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Mahoe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mahoe scores with a decent looking hook.
Mahoe scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Diaz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Diaz walks into a stiff left hand from Mahoe.
A cross from Mahoe lands.
Mahoe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab lands there for Mahoe.
Mahoe lands a jab to Diaz's midsection.
Mahoe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A jab from Mahoe does it's job there.
Diaz throws a head kick but Mahoe moves out of range.
Mahoe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mahoe.
Diaz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mahoe counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mahoe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mahoe with a jab.
Diaz takes one to the side of the head.
Mahoe lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Diaz looks to land a body kick but Mahoe moved away.
Mahoe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diaz.
Mahoe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Diaz walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mahoe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mahoe wants it to stay on the feet.
Mahoe lands a nice looking body shot.
Mahoe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mahoe's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mahoe duly obliges.
Mahoe is working the combinations to good effect here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahoe scores with a nice right hand.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahoe lands a slapping body shot.
Diaz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Diaz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Diaz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mahoe jabs Diaz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mahoe lands with a right hand.
Maleko Mahoe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mahoe scores with a decent looking hook.
Diaz drops his hands momentarily and Mahoe takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mahoe lands a really nice looking cross but Diaz seems unphased.
Neal Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mahoe scores with a crisp jab that stopped Diaz in his tracks.
Mahoe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Mahoe cracks a nice hook into Diaz's ribs.
Mahoe lands with a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maleko Mahoe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mahoe 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 24:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 24:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maleko Mahoe!
Maleko Mahoe seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Neal Diaz stepped up to the mic, saying 'Don't worry guys, I will be back better than ever.'.