PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jayden Steward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henderson Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Steward
vs
Diaz

175 cm
18
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jayden Steward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henderson Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steward misses with a head kick.
Steward tries a head kick but it misses.
Diaz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Steward.
Diaz shoots in looking for a takedown but Steward manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diaz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Diaz feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Steward is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Diaz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
It looks like Diaz 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.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Henderson Diaz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Steward misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Diaz.
Steward missing with a left hand there. Diaz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Diaz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steward's waist but Steward gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Diaz off to one side.
Diaz looks winded!
Diaz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jayden Steward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henderson Diaz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz moves away from the strike by Steward.
Diaz blocks a head kick by Steward.
Steward throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.
Steward throws a head kick that misses.
Good exchange - Steward coming out on top.
Jayden Steward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steward throws a front kick that sends Diaz stumbling back into the ropes.
A telegraphed right hand from Steward misses the target.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Steward.
Steward throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Diaz's head.
Steward ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
Steward throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Steward plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steward swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steward tries a head kick but it misses.
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Steward paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steward throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Steward tries to land a front kick but Diaz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steward tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steward missing with a left hand there. Diaz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big left from Steward misses.
Steward misses with a head kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Steward. Diaz shrugs it off though.
Diaz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Diaz moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick misses from Steward.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Steward.
Steward tries a head kick but it misses.
Diaz blocks a head kick by Steward.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz darts in looking for a takedown but Steward gets double underhooks and turns Diaz into the ropes.

Steward's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steward misses the shot to the body.
Diaz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Steward.
Diaz takes a kick to the side of the head.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steward manages to avoid it.
Steward throws a body kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Steward. No joy for Diaz on that attempt.
Steward scores with a head kick. Diaz tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A big left from Steward misses.
Steward throws a chopping leg kick but Diaz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Steward throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Steward throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Diaz.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Steward.
Steward tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steward.
Steward looks to land a combination but Diaz avoids it well.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diaz looks to score with a jab to the body but Steward is just out of range.
Steward throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Steward throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Steward.

Diaz gets the takedown into side control.
Steward is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steward is trying to stand up here but Diaz is controlling him well.
Diaz controlling the action here.
Diaz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jayden Steward dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Diaz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Steward pushes Diaz off looking to stand but Diaz dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Diaz trying to control the pace.
Diaz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Diaz stalling.
Steward is trying to stand back up but Diaz is controlling him
Well, if Diaz 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.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Diaz's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Henderson Diaz.
Steward misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Diaz.
Jayden Steward is winning the standup battle so far.
Steward looks to land a body kick but Diaz moved away.

Diaz forces Steward back against the ropes and clinches.
Diaz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diaz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Steward's efforts to push away.
Steward wants to break free but Diaz has control.
Diaz gets underhooks to prevent Steward's takedown attempt.
Steward is trying to break free.
Diaz has Steward pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Steward manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Diaz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Steward pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jayden Steward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henderson Diaz.
Diaz moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steward swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Steward moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Steward is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Diaz.
Steward misses with a looping left.
Steward throws a hook but Diaz blocks it.
Steward misses the jab.
Steward misses with a head kick.
Steward goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Diaz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steward throws the kick towards the body but Diaz avoids it.
Diaz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steward uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Steward misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Steward.
Steward throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steward tries a head kick but it misses.
Steward fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Diaz misses with a hook.
Steward misses with a straight left.
Diaz gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Steward tries to keep at a distance but Diaz has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Steward's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Steward won't allow it.
Diaz trying to control the position but instead, Steward has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diaz into the ropes.

Steward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diaz is defended easily by Steward.
Steward shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz blocks the body kick.
Steward throws a head kick that misses.
Steward throws a jab when Diaz was well out of range.
Henderson Diaz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steward loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Steward.
Diaz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Steward throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steward misses with a head kick.
Diaz blocks a jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Diaz.
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!
You can see the frustration on Steward's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
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 Jayden Steward will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Steward throws a jab but it's blocked by Diaz.
Steward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steward goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Steward dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
Steward throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz moves in looking to clinch but Steward pushes him off.
Steward throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz wants to clinch up but Steward keeps it at a distance.
Steward throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Steward.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steward leaves Diaz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steward. Diaz does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steward swinging wildly here.
Steward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Steward dives in and grabs Diaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes down on Steward's head and hops out.
Steward missing with a left hand there. Diaz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Steward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steward throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Steward ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
Diaz throws a shot to the body.
Steward throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Steward swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.
Steward tries a head kick but it misses.
Steward pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz forces Steward back against the ropes and clinches.
Diaz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Steward is pressed up against the ropes. Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Steward down to the mat. Steward avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jayden Steward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henderson Diaz.
Steward waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steward throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Donk. Steward catches Diaz right on the button with a cross.
Steward throws a wild body kick that Diaz sees coming a mile off.
Steward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diaz shoots in for a double leg but Steward sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steward throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Diaz.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steward moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Steward throws the left hand but Diaz avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steward uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Steward misses with an uppercut.
Steward shoots in but Diaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Diaz drives through with a takedown into guard.
Diaz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Steward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Steward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Henderson Diaz has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Steward misses with a hook.
Steward lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steward throws a head kick but Diaz moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steward throws a head kick that misses.
Steward throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.

Diaz throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Steward tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Diaz is in Steward's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diaz is stalling in the full guard.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Steward keeps moving.
Diaz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Steward is proving hard to escape from.
Diaz stops Steward from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Diaz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Henderson Diaz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Steward throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

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 Jayden Steward.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Steward, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jayden Steward!