PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between JoJo Diaz (ranked 5920 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismael Borrero (ranked 5917 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.

Diaz
vs
Borrero

177 cm
18
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Annihilation Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, JoJo Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ismael Borrero!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Borrero closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Diaz is looking to improve his position.

Diaz has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Borrero escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Borrero!
Borrero remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Diaz looks to move to half guard but instead Borrero has passed into mount! Damn!

Borrero with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Borrero is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Diaz defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Diaz tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borrero connects with a big shot to the side of Diaz's head.

Diaz fending off the submission attempt from Borrero.
Diaz wants to escape the position.

Borrero is looking for the choke from the back position but Diaz is controlling his hands well.
The referee is taking a good look at Diaz as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Borrero!
Borrero trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Diaz doesn't escape.
Borrero punishes Diaz with strikes from the back mount.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Borrero controlling the positon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Borrero working for a choke but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Borrero on the ground.

Borrero looking for the choke from the back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Borrero controlling well, preventing Diaz from escaping the position.
Diaz is working hard here to advance position.
Diaz is trying to remain composed but Borrero is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Borrero just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Borrero's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Borrero looking for the choke from the back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Borrero. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Borrero has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Borrero.
Diaz rolls, trying to escape but Borrero keeps control of the position.
Borrero lands shots from the back.

Diaz fending off the submission attempt from Borrero.

Borrero is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to break free.

Borrero tightening his grip on Diaz, looking for the choke.
Diaz tries to roll but Borrero sticks to his back.
Borrero biding his time, looking for the opening.
Borrero has the hooks in. Diaz is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz trying to control but not successfully.

Borrero is persistently looking for the submission but Diaz is defending it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismael Borrero dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Borrero tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Diaz tests Borrero's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A good leg kick by Diaz.

Borrero throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Borrero is in Diaz's guard.

Diaz has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Borrero is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Diaz.
Borrero takes a little break here. Diaz wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Borrero tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Diaz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Borrero is controlling the pace.
Borrero tries to pass to full mount but Diaz defends it.

Borrero 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. Borrero eventually gives up the hold.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Borrero sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Diaz gets back to full guard.
Ismael Borrero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Borrero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Borrero advances to half guard.

Borrero 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. Borrero eventually gives up the hold.
Diaz trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Diaz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Borrero looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Diaz looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Borrero is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Diaz is trapped and Borrero is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Diaz is really stuck here.

Diaz defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Borrero's arms.
Borrero keeps control of the position as Diaz tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz trying to control the hands but Borrero breaks the grip.
I really don't envy Diaz right now.

Borrero looking for the choke but no joy.

Borrero working for a choke but Diaz is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Borrero has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Diaz has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismael Borrero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Diaz throws a nice outside leg kick.

Borrero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Borrero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Diaz is looking for a sweep.
Borrero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Borrero moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Borrero lands some shots froms side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borrero working away.
Borrero advances nicely into full mount.
Diaz wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Borrero is punishing Diaz with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz can't escape the position.

Borrero working for a choke but Diaz is defending well.

Diaz is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Borrero gets his way!
Diaz can't escape the position.

Borrero has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Borrero controlling well, preventing Diaz from escaping the position.

Diaz defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Borrero.
Diaz tries to escape the position.

Borrero is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Diaz is defending well though. Borrero let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borrero is hanging on to Diaz's back as he tries to escape.
Borrero controls the position.
Diaz is trying to break free.
Borrero lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Diaz hold on?!
Borrero has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Diaz's body.
Borrero is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borrero scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

Borrero working for the choke.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Borrero is not going to allow Diaz to sit and survive in this position.
JoJo Diaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ismael Borrero is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diaz rolls, trying to escape but Borrero keeps control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismael Borrero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Borrero 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismael Borrero!