PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emperor Hirohito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luis Di Maria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hirohito
vs
Di Maria

180 cm
22
182 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

182 cm
30
179 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Emperor Hirohito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luis Di Maria!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hirohito enables Di Maria to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hirohito manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hirohito has momentary wrist control but Di Maria slips an elbow through the middle.

Hirohito working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Di Maria doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Di Maria manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hirohito had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Di Maria defends it easily.
Di Maria is looking to work some ground and pound but Hirohito has wrist control.
Di Maria wants to stand but Hirohito has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Hirohito is working an open guard so Di Maria takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Di Maria scores with a takedown into Hirohito's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hirohito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Di Maria wanted to stand there but Hirohito had control of the position.
Di Maria looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Di Maria avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Di Maria postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Di Maria must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Di Maria passes Hirohito's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Di Maria is keen to just control but Hirohito is a slippery customer.

Di Maria is working for a submission of some sort.
Hirohito is not content to let Di Maria control the position.
Hirohito won't allow Di Maria to pass to mount.
It looks like Di Maria is going to stand back up.

Hirohito is defending against the submission attempts here by Di Maria.
Hirohito trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hirohito defending well though.

Di Maria is trying to work for a kimura but Hirohito is defending well.
Di Maria trying to mount his opponent but Hirohito defends it.
Hirohito is looking to control Di Maria's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hirohito avoid being mounted?

Di Maria looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Di Maria landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirohito trying to control from the bottom.

Hirohito actively working from the bottom here.
Di Maria with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Hirohito regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hirohito utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Di Maria stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hirohito fails with the takedown

and Di Maria counters by moving into the clinch.
A short right from Di Maria.
Di Maria lands a knee to the head.
Hirohito has Di Maria pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Di Maria manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Di Maria connects with a knee to the head.
Hirohito is breathing heavily.

Di Maria manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria throws a series of strikes that have Hirohito backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Di Maria clinches with his opponent.
A knee to the head by Di Maria.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Di Maria lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hirohito backwards.
Di Maria connects with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Di Maria's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hirohito shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Di Maria counters with a three punch combo that has Hirohito backing up. Hirohito nods at Di Maria to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Di Maria dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hirohito gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Di Maria counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Hirohito is rocked!
Di Maria drops a shoulder and throws an uppercut that cracks Hirohito right on the button. Hirohito goes down! Di Maria follows him to the mat and finishes the job with more strikes! Di Maria gets the win via TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:14 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Luis Di Maria!