PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mat Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Loggia Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mat Diaz has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Diaz
vs
Loggia Jr

185 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mat Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Loggia Jr!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Loggia Jr 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 wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Loggia Jr trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Loggia Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Loggia Jr looking to pass the guard.

Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Loggia Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diaz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Loggia Jr controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Robert Loggia Jr.

Loggia Jr fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Diaz to the ground. Loggia Jr is now in Diaz's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loggia Jr slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Diaz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Loggia Jr defends it easily.
Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Loggia Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Loggia Jr keeps trying to improve his position.
Loggia Jr controlling from the top position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Loggia Jr postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Loggia Jr gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loggia Jr lands strikes from half guard.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Loggia Jr is working away from the top position though.

Loggia Jr seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Loggia Jr moves into full mount! Diaz won't be happy about that!
Diaz is trying desperately to improve position.
Diaz gets back to half guard.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
Loggia Jr is taking a breather. Diaz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Diaz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loggia Jr not doing much here.
Diaz is not content to let Loggia Jr control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Loggia Jr seems to be working for a kimura but Diaz defends the submission attempt.
Diaz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Diaz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Loggia Jr is working away from the top position though.
Diaz is trying to stand.
Well, if Loggia Jr 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Robert Loggia Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Loggia Jr scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Loggia Jr is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Diaz is just riding it out for now. Loggia Jr eventually gives up the hold.

Loggia Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Diaz sees it coming and defends easily.

Loggia Jr wants to work for an arm triangle but Diaz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Loggia Jr trying to control the pace.
Diaz wants to improve his position but Loggia Jr is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Loggia Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horrible takedown by Loggia Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Diaz which made him look bad.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loggia Jr.
Loggia Jr shoots for a double leg takedown but Diaz sprawls well. He's pushed Loggia Jr's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mat Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Loggia Jr.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Diaz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Loggia Jr slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Loggia Jr fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diaz avoids it really well and circles away.
Loggia Jr is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Diaz.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Loggia Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diaz is fending him off so far but Loggia Jr persists. Nope, Diaz circles away and we're back to standing.
Diaz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Loggia Jr darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Diaz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Loggia Jr stands up and waves to Diaz to follow him.
Loggia Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loggia Jr shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diaz is trying to defend but Loggia Jr finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Loggia Jr with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Loggia Jr decides to stand and escape the position.
Diaz stuffs the takedown attempt from Loggia Jr. Loggia Jr gets slowly back to his feet.

Loggia Jr gets a clinch.
Diaz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Diaz tries to pull guard but Loggia Jr forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Loggia Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loggia Jr is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Diaz can't fight it off and eventually Loggia Jr manages to take the fight to the floor. Diaz looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Loggia Jr gets to his feet. Diaz looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Mat Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Loggia Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Loggia Jr is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Diaz's shoulder. That is not cool.

Loggia Jr has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Diaz gets tackled into the cage by Loggia Jr. Loggia Jr maintains the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Loggia Jr drives through with a takedown into guard.

Loggia Jr stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Loggia Jr has closed the distance and engaged Diaz in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Loggia Jr manages to pull guard.
Loggia Jr keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Diaz preventing the sweep.
Loggia Jr manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz prevents Loggia Jr from taking his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diaz is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Loggia Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.

Loggia Jr looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Loggia Jr wants to pass to mount but Diaz is defending the position.
Diaz trying to control here.
Loggia Jr working Diaz over with strikes.
Loggia Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz wants to get back to his feet.

Loggia Jr is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Diaz is just riding it out for now. Loggia Jr eventually gives up the hold.

Loggia Jr seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loggia Jr performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Loggia Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Loggia Jr stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Diaz to get to his feet.
Diaz falls off balance throwing a combination

and Loggia Jr counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Diaz wants to control but Loggia Jr is keeping busy.
Loggia Jr not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Loggia Jr sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Diaz defending well though.
Loggia Jr sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Robert Loggia Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Diaz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Loggia Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Loggia Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diaz pinned against the cage. Diaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Loggia Jr.
Loggia Jr shoots in and drives through. Diaz sprawls well.
Mat Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Loggia Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Diaz. Beautiful body shot.
Loggia Jr is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Diaz.
Loggia Jr takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Loggia Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Loggia Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Diaz enables Loggia Jr to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Diaz manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Loggia Jr advances position into side control!
Loggia Jr in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Loggia Jr controlling from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Loggia Jr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Diaz, who protects the arm well.
Diaz manages to get back to half guard.
Loggia Jr seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diaz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Loggia Jr wants to pass the guard but Diaz is defending well.

Loggia Jr decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Mat Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diaz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Loggia Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Robert Loggia Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diaz is looking to wear down Loggia Jr with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Loggia Jr scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Loggia Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Loggia Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Loggia Jr!