PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hardy Ferguson (ranked 5943 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Diaz (ranked 5853 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.

Ferguson
vs
Diaz

202 cm
20
273 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Hardy Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Neil Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to avoid it but Ferguson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diaz to the ground. Diaz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diaz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Ferguson has Diaz up against the cage in a clinch.

Ferguson pulls Diaz into guard.
Diaz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ferguson's head.

It looks like Hardy Ferguson has been cut.
Diaz postures up and lands a big shot to Ferguson's brow.
Diaz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ferguson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ferguson preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ferguson trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz pulls Ferguson in close to prevent any damage.
Diaz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ferguson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Diaz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ferguson trying to control the position but Diaz is working away.
The strikes coming from Ferguson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Diaz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Diaz controls the position for a moment.
Diaz is not content to let Ferguson control the position.
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Ferguson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson prevents Diaz from escaping the position.
Diaz tries to buck Ferguson off but Ferguson is having none of it.
Diaz stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Diaz closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ferguson quickly recovers to half guard.
Diaz wants to take a breather but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Diaz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Diaz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ferguson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Hardy Ferguson's cut is getting worse.

Ferguson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Diaz working Ferguson over with strikes.

Jeez, Hardy Ferguson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Hardy Ferguson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Neil Diaz!