PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Diogo Jimenez (ranked 15 p4p, 247 weight class) and Imani Idowu (ranked 4 p4p, 30 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.

Jimenez
vs
Idowu

167 cm
35
146
29 - 10 - 0

170 cm
37
145
28 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Akuma Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Diogo Jimenez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Imani Idowu!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jimenez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Idowu.
Nice shot lands for Jimenez.
Idowu tries to land a leg kick but Jimenez saw it coming and moves away.
Jimenez scores with a jab to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Idowu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Jimenez misses with a hook. Idowu ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Jimenez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Idowu throws a leg kick but Jimenez checks it.
Jimenez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Idowu throws a body kick that misses.
It looked like Jimenez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jimenez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Idowu throws a leg kick which misses Jimenez's front leg but catches the back leg as Jimenez tries to avoid it.
Idowu throws a right hand that misses
and Jimenez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Idowu tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Jimenez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Diogo Jimenez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Idowu slips a straight right by Jimenez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Idowu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Idowu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jimenez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Idowu moves away.
Jimenez staying out of range there.
Jimenez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A looping hook to the body misses from Idowu. Jimenez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Idowu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jimenez scores with a hook to the body. Idowu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jimenez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Idowu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Jimenez.

Jimenez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Idowu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez slows the pace down in half guard.
Jimenez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Idowu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Idowu trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Jimenez manages to pass to mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Idowu working to try and regain half guard.
Idowu is controlling an arm, preventing Jimenez from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Idowu is wriggling around trying to escape.
Idowu keeps trying to improve his position.
Jimenez trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four 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.

Jimenez is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Idowu has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Idowu can't escape the position.

Jimenez is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Idowu to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Idowu shrugs it off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Diogo Jimenez dominated that round.
That's time! Jimenez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Idowu throws a body shot but no joy.
Jimenez looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Idowu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Jimenez looks to throw the jab but Idowu is out of range.
Idowu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jimenez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Idowu can do to turn this around?
A big right from Jimenez misses.
Jimenez lands with an uppercut that bounces Idowu off the cage and back into range.
Jimenez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A left and a right from Jimenez both land. Nice combination.
Idowu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jimenez.
Jimenez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Idowu manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Idowu is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jimenez.
Jimenez misses with an uppercut.
Jimenez swings for the body but Idowu moves out of range.
Idowu let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Diogo Jimenez is winning the standup battle so far.
Jimenez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez dips to his left and cracks Idowu with an uppercut!
A telegraphed right hand from Jimenez misses the target.
Idowu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Idowu slips a jab from Jimenez.
Jimenez doesn't manage to clinch there - Idowu circles away.
Jimenez misses the jab.
Jimenez misses with a lunging right hand
and Idowu counters with a straight right hand.
Jimenez scores with the left hand. Idowu knows he should have avoided that one.
Idowu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jimenez.
A little jabbing left from Idowu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jimenez.
Jimenez slips a jab and a cross from Idowu.
Jimenez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Idowu at a distance.
A big left from Jimenez misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez throws a big shot that misses.
Imani Idowu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice straight punches there by Jimenez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jimenez.
Idowu slips under a jab from Jimenez.
Jimenez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Idowu.
Idowu is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jimenez.
Idowu moves forwards but Jimenez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Idowu throws a head kick but Jimenez moves out of range.
Idowu slaps away a takedown attempt from Jimenez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Idowu flicks out a counter leg kick but Jimenez steps away.
Jimenez throws an off balance right hand
enabling Idowu to counter with a crisp jab.
Idowu's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Idowu duly obliges.
Idowu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jimenez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez swings widly with a right hand
and Idowu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Jimenez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Idowu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jimenez.
Idowu is trying to counter with his kicks.
Jimenez misses with a straight left.
Idowu looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Idowu defending well as Jimenez loads up on a big left hand.
Jimenez lands with a hook. Idowu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A left lands for Jimenez.
A shot to the liver by Idowu. Beautiful body shot.
Jimenez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jimenez throws a hook but Idowu blocks it.
Jimenez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Idowu counters with a three punch combo that has Jimenez backing up. Jimenez nods at Idowu to acknowledge the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Idowu avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez works Idowu's body with a nice hook.
Idowu moves away from the strike by Jimenez.
Despite the aggression on Idowu's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Jimenez blocks the body kick.
Idowu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jimenez throws out the jab.
Jimenez throws a jab when Idowu was well out of range.
Idowu misses with an attempted mid kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jimenez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jimenez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Idowu misses with a wild combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Diogo Jimenez dominated that second round.
That's time! Jimenez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Idowu avoids the head kick by Jimenez.
Jimenez lunges at Idowu with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Idowu's hand.
Idowu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jimenez swings for the body but Idowu moves out of range.
Jimenez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jimenez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Idowu misses with a straight left.
Jimenez takes a swing at Idowu's ribcage but misses.
Jimenez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jimenez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Jimenez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Idowu is out of range and Jimenez settles back down.
Jimenez misses the jab.
Jimenez tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jimenez misses with a head kick.
Idowu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Jimenez shoots in and drives through. Idowu sprawls well.
Jimenez lands with a hook. Idowu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice jab there from Idowu.
Jimenez looks for the body kick but Idowu saw that one coming.
Jimenez throws a series of punches but Idowu avoids them all with ease.
Idowu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Jimenez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Idowu's waist but Idowu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jimenez off to one side.
Idowu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Idowu steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Jimenez. That one must have hurt.
Jimenez connects with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Jimenez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez misses the shot to the body.
Idowu shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jimenez throws a body shot but no joy.
Jimenez scores with the left hand. Idowu knows he should have avoided that one.
Jimenez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Idowu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Idowu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jimenez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jimenez takes a swing at Idowu's ribcage but misses.
Idowu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jimenez.
Idowu steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from Jimenez misses its intended target.
Jimenez throws a jab but it's blocked by Idowu.

Jimenez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Idowu!

Idowu bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez lands with an uppercut that bounces Idowu off the cage and back into range.
Jimenez slips under a jab from Idowu.
Jimenez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jimenez just misses with a punch to the body.
Jimenez connects with a looping right hand.
Jimenez throws a looping overhand right but Idowu ducks down to avoid it.
Idowu flicks out a counter leg kick but Jimenez steps away.
Idowu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Jimenez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jimenez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Idowu takes one to the chin there.
Jimenez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Idowu misses with a wild combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jimenez blocks a jab.
Idowu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Idowu defending well as Jimenez loads up on a big left hand.
Jimenez has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diogo Jimenez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Idowu throws a big shot that misses.
Idowu avoids the head kick by Jimenez.
Idowu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jimenez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Idowu slips a straight right by Jimenez.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Diogo Jimenez clearly takes 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.

Jimenez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Idowu digs a good hook to Jimenez's body.
Idowu dodges the punch combination from Jimenez.
Donk. Idowu catches Jimenez right on the button with a cross.
Idowu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jimenez throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Idowu.
Idowu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Idowu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Idowu moves out of range as Jimenez strikes.
Jimenez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jimenez lands a glancing blow to the side of Idowu's head.
Jimenez misses with a hook
and Idowu counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez swings for the body but Idowu moves out of range.
Idowu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Jimenez.
Idowu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jimenez throws a sloppy head kick
and Idowu counters with a thumping low kick.
Idowu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Idowu is looking for the big counter here.
Jimenez misses with a hook to the body
and Idowu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Good shot there by Jimenez.
Jimenez throws a shot to the body.
Jimenez looks to score with a jab to the body but Idowu is just out of range.
Jimenez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jimenez throws a looping overhand right but Idowu ducks down to avoid it.
Idowu tries a quick counter leg kick but Jimenez is wise to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Idowu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jimenez's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Jimenez duly obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Idowu blocks a jab.
Idowu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Idowu slips under a jab.
Jimenez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Idowu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
An attempted straight right counter from Jimenez misses the target.
Jimenez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Idowu.
Idowu throws a head kick that misses.
It looked like Jimenez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jimenez swings away with a body shot that misses
and Idowu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jimenez throws a body shot but no joy.
Idowu throws a hook but Jimenez blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Idowu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jimenez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Jimenez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Idowu.
Jimenez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jimenez just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by Idowu.
Jimenez misses with a hook. Idowu ducked under it nicely.
Idowu throws an overhand right that lands on Jimenez's shoulder, as Jimenez tries to avoid the shot.
Jimenez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jimenez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Idowu on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jimenez misses with an uppercut. Idowu saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez misses with a looping right.
Idowu moves forwards but Jimenez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jimenez swings for the body but Idowu moves out of range.
Idowu lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Idowu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jimenez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Idowu.
Jimenez lands a nice hook to Idowu's body. Idowu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jimenez misses with a left hand
and Idowu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Jimenez thinking.
Jimenez misses with a hook. Idowu ducked under it nicely.
Jimenez misses with a body shot.
A nice side step and Idowu releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Jimenez throws out a loose jab but Idowu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jimenez defending well as Idowu loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Diogo Jimenez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Jimenez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jimenez lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jimenez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jimenez throws a lazy right hand but Idowu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Idowu shapes to counter with a head kick.
Jimenez looks to land a body kick but Idowu moved away.
Jimenez slips a jab and a cross from Idowu.
Jimenez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jimenez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Idowu in his tracks.
Jimenez looks to score with a jab to the body but Idowu is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Idowu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jimenez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Idowu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Idowu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jimenez.
Jimenez thumps Idowu with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jimenez looks to land a left hand but Idowu moved out of range nicely.
Idowu slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Idowu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jimenez misses with a body shot.
Jimenez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Idowu looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jimenez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Idowu under the eye.
Idowu throws the left hand but Jimenez avoids the punch easily.
Jimenez lands a jab to Idowu's midsection.
Jimenez misses with an uppercut. Idowu saw that one coming.
Idowu thinks about the counter body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez connects with a body shot that sends Idowu's belly button to the back.
Jimenez connects with a crisp jab.
Idowu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Idowu takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Jimenez throws a good cross that connects.
Jimenez misses with a jab, cross combination.
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!
Jimenez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Idowu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jimenez.
Idowu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Jimenez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jimenez throws the left hand but Idowu avoids the punch easily.
Idowu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jimenez throws a jab when Idowu was well out of range.
Idowu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Idowu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez ducks under a wild hook from Idowu.
Idowu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jimenez. Jimenez obviously looking to wear him down.
Jimenez slips under a jab from Idowu.
Jimenez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jimenez loads up on a big right hand but Idowu slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Jimenez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jimenez digs a good body shot into Idowu's ribs.
Jimenez works over Idowu's head and body with a nice combination.
Jimenez misses with a low kick.
Idowu is trying to counter with his kicks.
Idowu throws the left hand but Jimenez avoids the punch easily.
Jimenez just misses with a punch to the body.
Idowu takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Idowu moves away from the strike by Jimenez.
Jimenez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Idowu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Idowu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Imani Idowu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Idowu needs to keep his hands up - Jimenez had a free shot at his head there.
Idowu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jimenez goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jimenez moves out of range as Idowu throws a body kick.
Jimenez lands with a straight right. Idowu didn't see that one coming.
Idowu moves away from the strike by Jimenez.
Idowu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jimenez dives in and grabs Idowu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Idowu pushes down on Jimenez's head and hops out.
Diogo Jimenez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sloppy strikes from Idowu. Those never looked like landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diogo Jimenez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jimenez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diogo Jimenez!
Diogo Jimenez retains his featherweight title!
Diogo Jimenez was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.