PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marchiano Giovinazzi (ranked 4319 p4p, 428 weight class) and Barry Diemomd (ranked 3294 p4p, 351 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Giovinazzi
vs
Diemomd

185 cm
26
160 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

179 cm
22
156 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Marchiano Giovinazzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Barry Diemomd!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Giovinazzi fails with a takedown attempt.
Diemomd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Giovinazzi. That did some damage!
Giovinazzi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Giovinazzi.
Diemomd looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Giovinazzi or perhaps it was just good defense by Diemomd, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marchiano Giovinazzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Giovinazzi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Giovinazzi shoots in but Diemomd avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diemomd defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Giovinazzi avoids a kick to the body.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diemomd defends it nicely.
A jab from Diemomd does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovinazzi walks into a left hand.
Marchiano Giovinazzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Diemomd as Giovinazzi shoots in.
A decent looking cross lands there for Diemomd.
Diemomd tries to land a front kick but Giovinazzi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Giovinazzi looks for a takedown but Diemomd sprawls well.
Giovinazzi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Giovinazzi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Giovinazzi tries to counter with a takedown but Diemomd is quick to defend against it.
Giovinazzi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diemomd sprawls well. Diemomd wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Giovinazzi gets slowly back to his feet.
Diemomd misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Giovinazzi fails to land the takedown.
Giovinazzi is breathing heavily.
Diemomd jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barry Diemomd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diemomd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Diemomd looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Giovinazzi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Giovinazzi shoots for a double leg takedown but Diemomd sprawls well. He's pushed Giovinazzi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diemomd scores with a jab. Giovinazzi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diemomd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diemomd scores with a nice head shot.
Diemomd misses with a double jab.
Diemomd misses with a low kick.
Giovinazzi sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Diemomd misses with a jab, cross combination.
Giovinazzi feinted with a counter takedown.
Diemomd missing with a left hand there. Giovinazzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck for Giovinazzi with that takedown attempt.
Giovinazzi shoots in but Diemomd avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Diemomd tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diemomd connects with a good right hand that stumbles Giovinazzi. Giovinazzi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Diemomd scores with a sloppy right hand. Giovinazzi should have avoided that one.
Diemomd lands a jab to the head.
Diemomd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Giovinazzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diemomd sprawls and moves away.
Diemomd rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Giovinazzi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diemomd throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diemomd throws a series of punches but Giovinazzi moves out of range.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diemomd defends it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Diemomd! But no joy.
Diemomd is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Giovinazzi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Giovinazzi blocks a jab.
Diemomd moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Diemomd throws an overhand right that lands on Giovinazzi's shoulder, as Giovinazzi tries to avoid the shot.
Giovinazzi feinted with a counter takedown.
Diemomd lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Diemomd.
Diemomd looks to land a combination but Giovinazzi avoids it well.
Giovinazzi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diemomd sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diemomd misses with a few strikes there.
Diemomd closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Giovinazzi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diemomd avoids it really well and circles away.
Diemomd stuffs the takedown.
Diemomd throws a jab but it's blocked by Giovinazzi.
Giovinazzi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diemomd sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diemomd scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Diemomd throws a right hand that Giovinazzi ducks under and follows up with a left that Giovinazzi also avoids with ease.
Giovinazzi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diemomd's waist but Diemomd gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Giovinazzi off to one side.
Giovinazzi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diemomd.
Diemomd lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Diemomd tries a head kick but it misses.
Giovinazzi shoots and misses
and Diemomd counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Giovinazzi goes for a double leg but Diemomd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diemomd continues to drive forward.
Diemomd lands a nice leg kick that just misses Giovinazzi's sensitive parts.
A lazy left from Diemomd finds it's target.
Diemomd throws a series of punches but Giovinazzi moves out of range.
Diemomd is working the combinations to good effect here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diemomd. Giovinazzi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Giovinazzi feinted with a counter takedown.
Diemomd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diemomd tries to land a leg kick but Giovinazzi saw it coming and moves away.
A swing and a miss from Diemomd.
Sloppy strikes from Diemomd. Those never looked like landing.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Diemomd defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Diemomd dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sloppy strikes from Diemomd. Those never looked like landing.
Giovinazzi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Diemomd avoids it really well and circles away.
Giovinazzi has a takedown stuffed.
Diemomd cracks Giovinazzi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Diemomd closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Giovinazzi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Giovinazzi needs to keep his hands up - Diemomd had a free shot at his head there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Giovinazzi or perhaps it was just good defense by Diemomd, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marchiano Giovinazzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Giovinazzi defending well as Diemomd loads up on a big left hand.
Diemomd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Giovinazzi moves away.
Diemomd uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Giovinazzi shoots for a double leg takedown but Diemomd sprawls well. He's pushed Giovinazzi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Giovinazzi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Giovinazzi fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diemomd scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Giovinazzi doesn't seem bothered though.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Giovinazzi. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Diemomd misses with a wild combination.
Diemomd lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Giovinazzi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Diemomd sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Giovinazzi somewhat.
Giovinazzi shoots and misses
and Diemomd counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Diemomd misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diemomd misses with a two punch combination.
Diemomd leaves Giovinazzi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Diemomd has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Giovinazzi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Giovinazzi dives in for a single leg takedown but Diemomd sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Good shot there by Diemomd.
Nice cross by Diemomd.
Diemomd throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Giovinazzi.
Marchiano Giovinazzi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Diemomd lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Giovinazzi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Giovinazzi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Giovinazzi walks into a stiff left hand from Diemomd.
Diemomd misses the jab.
Diemomd slaps away a takedown attempt from Giovinazzi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Giovinazzi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A head kick misses from Diemomd.
Diemomd lands with a nice combination. Giovinazzi backs away looking to recover.
Giovinazzi checks a leg kick.
Diemomd tries a head kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Diemomd.
Giovinazzi tries to counter with a takedown but Diemomd is quick to defend against it.
Diemomd displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Giovinazzi.
Diemomd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Giovinazzi manages to avoid it.
Giovinazzi looks for a takedown but Diemomd sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diemomd cracks a nice hook into Giovinazzi's ribs.
Giovinazzi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Diemomd.
Giovinazzi shoots in but Diemomd avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Giovinazzi ducks right into an uppercut from Diemomd.
Giovinazzi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Diemomd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diemomd throws a nice looking combination but Giovinazzi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Giovinazzi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Diemomd circles away.
Diemomd with a nice cross.
The crowd cheers as Diemomd lands an impressive looking overhand right. Giovinazzi doesn't seem phased though.
Diemomd catches Giovinazzi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diemomd's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Diemomd duly obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Diemomd. Those never looked like landing.
Giovinazzi fails to land the takedown.
Diemomd throws out a counter right but Giovinazzi avoids it with no problem.
Giovinazzi closes the distance and clinches up with Diemomd, looking for a takedown. Giovinazzi pushes Diemomd against the cage but Diemomd circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diemomd is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Giovinazzi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Giovinazzi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Diemomd defends well and Giovinazzi ends up having to push Diemomd into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Diemomd.
Diemomd connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Giovinazzi's hands.
Diemomd connects with a good right hand that stumbles Giovinazzi. Giovinazzi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Horrible takedown attempt by Giovinazzi or perhaps it was just good defense by Diemomd, which made it look bad.
Giovinazzi slips a jab and a cross from Diemomd.
Diemomd connects with the punch.
Diemomd getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Giovinazzi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Diemomd finds it's way round the side to connect with Giovinazzi's head.
Giovinazzi tries to move into range but Diemomd moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Giovinazzi slips under a jab.
Giovinazzi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diemomd as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Diemomd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Diemomd tries to bum rush Giovinazzi with a series of wild strikes but Giovinazzi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Giovinazzi shoots in for a takedown but Diemomd shows good takedown defense.
Giovinazzi ducks right into an uppercut from Diemomd.
Diemomd cracks Giovinazzi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Diemomd throws a body punch but Giovinazzi moves out of range.
Giovinazzi tries to counter with a takedown but Diemomd is quick to defend against it.
Diemomd closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Diemomd cracks Giovinazzi with a good jab.
Giovinazzi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Diemomd moves into the clinch.

Diemomd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Giovinazzi misses with a takedown attempt

and Diemomd counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marchiano Giovinazzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Diemomd breaks the clinch.
Diemomd clobbers Giovinazzi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut there from Diemomd.
Giovinazzi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Diemomd sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Diemomd cracks Giovinazzi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diemomd lands with a straight right. Giovinazzi didn't see that one coming.
Diemomd throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diemomd lands an overhand right.
Diemomd misses with a series of wild punches.
Diemomd with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diemomd. Giovinazzi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a takedown but Diemomd manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Giovinazzi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diemomd throws a hook to the side of Giovinazzi's head but Giovinazzi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Giovinazzi shoots in looking for a takedown but Diemomd manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Giovinazzi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Giovinazzi ducks under a wild hook from Diemomd.
Diemomd scores with a one two! Giovinazzi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Diemomd thuds a left hand into Giovinazzi's body.
Diemomd lands with a nice body punch.
Giovinazzi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diemomd.
Giovinazzi staying out of range there.
Giovinazzi feinted with a counter takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diemomd throws a sloppy head kick and Giovinazzi moves out of range easily.
A jab from Diemomd misses.
Giovinazzi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Diemomd pinned against the cage. Diemomd gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Giovinazzi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diemomd lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Diemomd connects with a nice looking jab.
Giovinazzi misses with a takedown attempt - Diemomd sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Diemomd lands an overhand right.
Diemomd lunges at Giovinazzi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Giovinazzi's hand.
Diemomd lands with a hook. Giovinazzi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Diemomd throws a good cross that connects.
Diemomd connects with a nice looking jab.
Giovinazzi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Diemomd sprawls well. Diemomd wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Giovinazzi gets slowly back to his feet.
Diemomd looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diemomd lands a nice hook to Giovinazzi's body. Giovinazzi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd cheers as Diemomd lands an impressive looking overhand right. Giovinazzi doesn't seem phased though.
Diemomd throws a head kick but Giovinazzi moves out of range.
Diemomd lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Giovinazzi circles away quickly and effectively.
Giovinazzi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Giovinazzi shoots in but no luck this time.
Diemomd fails to land with a series of punches.
Barry Diemomd is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Diemomd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diemomd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Diemomd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diemomd swinging wildly here.
Giovinazzi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Giovinazzi moves out of range as Diemomd throws a body kick.
Giovinazzi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovinazzi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Diemomd moves into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Diemomd.
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!
Giovinazzi is trying to force a seperation but Diemomd has the dominant position.
Giovinazzi wants to take the fight to the mat but Diemomd manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Giovinazzi is trying to force a seperation but Diemomd has the dominant position.
Diemomd is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Diemomd breaks the clinch.
Diemomd looks to land a right hand but Giovinazzi moved out of range.
Giovinazzi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice takedown defense from Diemomd. No joy for Giovinazzi on that attempt.
Diemomd misses with a two punch combination.
Marchiano Giovinazzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Giovinazzi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diemomd.
Diemomd throws a head kick that misses.
Giovinazzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Barry Diemomd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Diemomd has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 George Francis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 24:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barry Diemomd!
Barry Diemomd seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.