PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Josef Dietrich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Para Normal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Normal has chosen I'll Stick Around as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Dietrich
vs
Normal

178 cm
26
175 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

185 cm
24
185 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josef Dietrich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Para Normal!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Normal lands with a slapping head kick.
Normal connects with a solid leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Normal.
Normal tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Normal moves out of range of the strikes.
Dietrich misses with a lunging right hand
and Normal counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dietrich misses with a straight right.
Normal takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Dietrich moves into the clinch successfully.
Normal lands a hook that snaps the head of Dietrich backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dietrich tries to score a body lock takedown but Normal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Normal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dietrich misses with some punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dietrich tries to throw a body punch but Normal avoids it by throwing Dietrich back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Normal.
Dietrich tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normal takes a shot to the head.

It looks like Para Normal has been cut.
Normal tries a body shot but Dietrich blocks it.
Dietrich is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Normal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dietrich doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Normal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Dietrich.
Normal blocking some punches.
Normal taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Normal blocks an uppercut.
Normal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dietrich is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Normal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josef Dietrich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Normal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dietrich tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Normal digs a right hand into Dietrich's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dietrich's gas tank.
Dietrich has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Normal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dietrich wants to get back to striking at distance but Normal won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dietrich misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dietrich lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dietrich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Josef Dietrich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Normal throws a head kick that misses
and Normal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dietrich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Normal.
Para Normal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some wild striking there from Normal.
Normal tries a low kick but Dietrich avoids it.
Normal lands with a straight right. Dietrich didn't see that one coming.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Normal.
Dietrich tries to clinch up.
Dietrich throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Normal misses with a body kick.
Dietrich throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Normal throws a body kick that misses.

Dietrich fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Normal sprawls well initially but Dietrich persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Dietrich missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dietrich drops an elbow to the side of Normal's head.
Dietrich thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dietrich is trying to control. Normal wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dietrich thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Normal's head.

Dietrich is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Normal is trying to stand back up but Dietrich is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normal blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dietrich.
Dietrich keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Dietrich wants to lay and pray for a moment but Normal keeps working.
Normal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dietrich.
Dietrich seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Normal trying to control from the bottom.
Well, if Dietrich is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Dietrich has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dietrich seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Dietrich dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Para Normal's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dietrich throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Normal, right into the meat.
Dietrich swings for the body but Normal moves out of range.

Dietrich drives through and clinches with Normal against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Normal.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dietrich.
Dietrich has Normal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Normal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Normal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Normal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Normal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Normal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Normal pressing his opponent against the cage.
Normal prevents the takedown attempt.

Dietrich pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dietrich tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Normal slips nicely into half guard.
Normal wants to take a breather but Dietrich is having none of it.
Dietrich makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dietrich.

Dietrich is looking for a triangle but Normal pushes his legs off easily.

Dietrich looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dietrich looking for a guillotine here but Normal defends easily.
Normal postures up.

Dietrich is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dietrich lands a nice uppercut.
Dietrich controlling the action here for a moment.
Normal pushes Dietrich back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dietrich using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Normal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dietrich pushes Normal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dietrich tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dietrich misses with some punches.
A hook to the body from Normal.
Normal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Normal works on Dietrich's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Normal.
Normal pushes Dietrich back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Normal.
Normal prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josef Dietrich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right handed body shot lands from Normal.
Normal lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Normal scores with a shoulder strike.
Normal can't find room to land a body shot as Dietrich controls the action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Normal.
Dietrich has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Normal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dietrich takes a shot to the head.
Normal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A shot in the inside from Normal.
Normal lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dietrich.
Normal misses with a body punch.
Normal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Para Normal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Para Normal's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Normal misses with the combination.
Normal gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A big right from Dietrich misses.
Normal tries to score with a low kick but Dietrich moves his leg out of the way.
Normal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Dietrich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Normal lands with a good body shot.
Dietrich shoots for a takedown but Normal saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Normal avoids the body shot from Dietrich.
Dietrich plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Normal lands a jab to Dietrich's midsection.
Normal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Normal scores with a sloppy right hand. Dietrich should have avoided that one.
Normal blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dietrich fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Normal manages to avoid it.

Dietrich feints and as Normal raises his hands in defense, Dietrich changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Normal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dietrich is fighting to break Normal's control of his arms but Normal is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Normal is trying to keep Dietrich in close.
Normal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dietrich stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Normal swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Normal controls Dietrich momentarily but Dietrich frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Para Normal.
Normal looking to land some kicks to the body here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dietrich being controlled against the cage.
Dietrich drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Normal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Para Normal seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Normal lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dietrich backwards.
Dietrich fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dietrich working aggressively here.
Dietrich lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dietrich tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Normal tries to work over Dietrich's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dietrich scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Normal struggles to land a body shot inside as Dietrich controls his hands.
Dietrich has a couple of punches blocked by Normal.
Dietrich is trying to break the clinch but Normal has him pressed against the cage.
Normal lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dietrich backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Dietrich fails to land.
Dietrich misses with the head strike.
Dietrich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Normal lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dietrich misses with a body punch.
Dietrich has a couple of punches blocked by Normal.
Dietrich misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dietrich throws a punch but it's blocked by Normal.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dietrich.
Dietrich misses with a body punch.
Dietrich drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Normal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josef Dietrich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Normal blocking some punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Normal misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Normal.
Dietrich lands a left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Normal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dietrich looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dietrich stops Normal from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josef Dietrich showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dietrich has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josef Dietrich!
Josef Dietrich 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.