PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Merrill Schneider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Diamond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Schneider
vs
Diamond

209 cm
23
151 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Merrill Schneider!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dave Diamond!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diamond closes the distance and pushes Schneider back into the cage.
Diamond is trying to maintain a safe position but Schneider gets an underhook and turns Diamond into the cage.

Schneider turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Schneider is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Diamond will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Diamond is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Schneider really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Diamond is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Schneider is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Diamond looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schneider not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Schneider throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Diamond to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schneider.
Diamond looking for a sweep. Not yet Diamond, not yet.
Schneider postures up in Diamond's guard and throws a big left but Diamond blocks it.
Diamond is trying to control the position but Schneider postures up.
Diamond has a closed guard, preventing Schneider from standing up.
Diamond controls Schneider momentarily but Schneider frees himself.
Schneider works over Diamond with some ground and pound from guard.
Diamond working a defensive guard here.
Diamond working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schneider.
Diamond wants to sweep here but Schneider controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schneider.
Schneider loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schneider slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Diamond looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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!
Schneider content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Schneider will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Schneider postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Diamond wants to stand up but Schneider is controlling him.
Schneider knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Diamond on the ground.
Diamond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Schneider slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Diamond looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schneider is one step ahead there.
Schneider has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schneider lands a couple of digs.
Schneider working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schneider throwing strikes from guard but Diamond blocks nicely.
Schneider trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Diamond tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Diamond striking off his back but it's not causing Schneider any problems.
Schneider working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schneider's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Schneider content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Diamond wants to sweep here but Schneider controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schneider throwing strikes from guard but Diamond blocks nicely.
Schneider makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Diamond wants to stand and escape but Schneider is having none of it.
Diamond trying to strike off his back.
Schneider not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Schneider content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Schneider is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Diamond is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Diamond wants to sweep here but Schneider controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Merrill Schneider will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diamond takes a swing at Schneider's ribcage but misses.
Schneider throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick by Diamond misses

and Schneider counters by clinching up.
Diamond stalling the fight.
Schneider stops a takedown attempt from Diamond.

Schneider breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diamond doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Schneider counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Schneider breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diamond throws a jab but it's blocked by Schneider.

Diamond closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Diamond tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Schneider just stands there and leans against the cage.
Merrill Schneider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Diamond.

Schneider's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Schneider gets a clinch.

Schneider breaks from the clinch.

Schneider closes the distance and pushes Diamond back into the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Schneider - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Schneider decides to pull guard.
Diamond wants to control from the top but Schneider keeps moving.
Schneider looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diamond is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond being controlled here momentarily.
Merrill Schneider overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dave Diamond.
Schneider lands a head kick. Diamond smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dave Diamond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diamond shoots for a double leg takedown but Schneider sprawls well. He's pushed Diamond's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diamond drives through and clinches with Schneider against the cage.
Schneider will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Diamond up against the cage.
Schneider has Diamond pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Diamond manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Diamond is looking for a takedown.

Schneider breaks the clinch.
Schneider keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Schneider throws a head kick but Diamond moves out of range.
Diamond tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Schneider defends well and Diamond ends up having to push Schneider into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Diamond is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schneider gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Diamond.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schneider pulls guard successfully.

Diamond avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Diamond wants to control from the top but Schneider keeps moving.
Diamond pushes down on Schneider's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diamond wants to control but Schneider is keeping him busy.
Diamond tries to stand and escape but Schneider is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrill Schneider dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Diamond shoots in for a takedown but Schneider shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diamond with a lazy takedown attempt

and Schneider counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Schneider.

Schneider's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diamond looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schneider is fending him off so far but Diamond persists. Nope, Schneider circles away and we're back to standing.
Merrill Schneider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Diamond.

Diamond tries to keep at a distance but Schneider has taken the fight into the clinch.

Schneider escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schneider throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Diamond's head.

Diamond moves into the clinch.
Schneider's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Diamond tries to circle away but Schneider has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond stalling in the clinch but Schneider improves position.
Schneider tries to score a body lock takedown but Diamond shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Schneider breaks from the clinch.
Diamond fails with the takedown.
A shot to the body from Diamond misses
and Schneider counters with a big head kick but Diamond shrugs it off.
Diamond closes the distance and clinches up with Schneider, looking for a takedown. Diamond pushes Schneider against the cage but Schneider circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diamond throws a series of punches but Schneider avoids them all with ease.
Diamond takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Diamond has managed to clinch.

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

Schneider has Diamond up against the cage in a clinch.
Schneider slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schneider lands an elbow that stopped Diamond in his tracks for a moment.

Schneider breaks from the clinch.

Diamond clinches with his opponent.
Diamond wants to break free but Schneider has control.

Schneider pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Diamond shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Schneider defends it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diamond takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schneider shoots in for a takedown but Diamond shows good takedown defense.
Diamond misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Schneider throws a series of punches but Diamond moves out of range.

Diamond darts in and clinches Schneider up against the cage.
Diamond wants a takedown.
Diamond jumps guard but Schneider stands there with Diamond around his waist. Diamond gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Schneider works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Diamond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Diamond not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Schneider stands and steps away. Diamond gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schneider clinches up against the cage.
Diamond looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Schneider jumps guard and drags Diamond to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
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!
Diamond trying to control but Schneider is working from the bottom.
Diamond postures up in Schneider's guard and throws a big left but Schneider blocks it.
Diamond wants to control from the top but Schneider keeps moving.
Schneider can't keep his opponent in guard - Diamond advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dave Diamond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Merrill Schneider is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Diamond is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Schneider sees it coming and defends easily.

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 Merrill Schneider.
Well Schneider has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merrill Schneider!