PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Holy Diver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yodthanong Photirat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diver comes into the arena with Holy Diver by Dio blaring out of the sound system. Yodthanong Photirat will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Diver
vs
Photirat

161 cm
25
164 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

171 cm
27
159 lbs
5 - 14 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Meet the Future

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 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Holy Diver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yodthanong Photirat!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diver slips a jab and a cross from Photirat.

Diver dives in and scores a takedown into Photirat's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Diver throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Photirat works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Diver 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.
Diver is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Photirat told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Diver stands up from Photirat's guard - Diver perhaps looking for a knockout.
Diver shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Photirat sprawls well. Photirat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Diver gets slowly back to his feet.
Photirat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Photirat throws a leg kick but Diver sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Photirat is looking to land body kicks.
Photirat throws a sloppy head kick and Diver moves out of range easily.

Diver dives in and scores a takedown into Photirat's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Diver lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver landing with the ground and pound.
Diver showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Diver's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Diver loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diver loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Diver sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Diver trying to control but Photirat is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Holy Diver just wasn't active enough.
Photirat misses with a few strikes there.
An inside leg kick lands from Photirat.
Diver stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Photirat.
Photirat misses with a wild combination.

Diver drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Photirat wants to control but Diver postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diver landing strikes.
Diver throws a strike aimed at the side of Photirat's head but Photirat avoids it well.
Photirat really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diver. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diver stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Diver looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diver dives in for a single leg takedown but Photirat sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holy Diver. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Photirat escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Photirat throws a head kick that misses.
Diver tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Photirat defends well and Diver ends up having to push Photirat into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Photirat is fighting off a takedown attempt but Diver is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Photirat to the mat. Photirat regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Photirat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Photirat uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Photirat looks winded!
Photirat throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Diver moves into the clinch.

Diver decides to pull guard.
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!

Diver is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Photirat presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Photirat prevents the takedown attempt.

Diver drags the fight down to the ground.
Photirat throws a big elbow that misses.
Photirat wants to stand and escape but instead Diver has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Diver with a flurry of punches that miss.
Diver is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Photirat keeping moving, preventing Diver from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diver landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holy Diver dominated 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.

Photirat throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Diver closes the distance and clinches up with Photirat, looking for a takedown. Diver pushes Photirat against the cage but Photirat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Photirat throws a right and a left that Diver avoids nicely.

Diver moves into the clinch.

Diver turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The ground and pound from Diver seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Photirat dodges the ground and pound from Diver.
Diver working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Photirat taking a bit of punishment here - Diver scoring with strikes.
Diver lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Photirat down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diver trying to control the position but Photirat is working away.
Diver throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Photirat taking punishment in the form of punches.
Photirat defending against the ground and pound.
Diver wants to take a breather but Photirat manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Diver.
Photirat wants to stand but Diver is controlling the position.
Photirat is breathing heavily.
Photirat keeping moving, preventing Diver from controlling successfully.
Diver scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diver is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Diver is in close to Photirat's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Photirat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diver is working Photirat over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Diver throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Photirat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Diver controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Photirat can't keep his opponent in guard - Diver advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Photirat is staying active underneath Diver, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diver perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Diver throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Photirat to regain full guard.
Diver advances to half guard.
Diver wants to take a breather but Photirat is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diver throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Diver throwing shots but Photirat is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Photirat keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Diver landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Diver missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Diver looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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!
Diver is keen to just control but Photirat is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Photirat tries to kick Diver off but Diver keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Diver throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Diver thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holy Diver dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Diver gets the takedown into side control.
Diver postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Diver working the ground and pound.
Diver is looking to take a break and control but Photirat is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Diver seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Photirat dodges the ground and pound from Diver.
Diver working the head with strikes.
The strikes coming from Diver are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Photirat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diver throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Diver is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Photirat can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver in side control, throwing shots but Photirat defends.
Diver controlling the position from side mount.
Photirat parries the strikes from Diver easily there. Diver is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Photirat to escape.
Diver working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Diver decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Diver throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Photirat tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Diver is in Photirat's guard.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Photirat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diver forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diver throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Diver uses his free foot to push down on Photirat's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Photirat.
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!
Diver with shots to the head and body - Photirat looks very uncomfortable down there.
Diver is landing with some decent strikes but Photirat is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Diver lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Diver dominating with strikes here.
Diver looking to control and managing it successfully.
Photirat in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Holy Diver overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Photirat takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Diver cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Diver lands a big elbow - Photirat is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Photirat is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Holy Diver!
A victorious Holy Diver thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.