Marc Diakiese opted to abandon his striking prowess in favor of his wrestling ability against Viachslav Borshchev tonight at UFC On ESPN 33 and it paid off with a dominant, if uneventful unanimous decision win.
Round One:
Missed kick from Diakiese. He drives into an early takedown against the cage, but Borshchev is fending it off for now.
Borshchev manages to reverse the position though, then Diakiese tries to bring him down and fails again. More jockeying for position here and Borshchev actually gets around to his back.
Diakiese tries to break free and Borshchev starts peppering him with heavy punches. Now Borshchev surprises him by landing a nice takedown.
Diakiese soon back to his feet though and as the battle continues it’s his turn to work a takedown from the clinch.
Borshchev able to stand up against the cage. However, Diakiase hoists him into the air and slams him back down.
Borshchev up again but Diakiese is still clinched to his back and brings him down again. Borshchev rolls to his back and Diakiese secures side control. Borshchev able to get back to his full guard and that’s where the round ends.
Round Two:
Leg kick from Borshchev. Now one from Diakiese. Body punch from Borshchev. They continue to exchange leg kicks.
Diakiese shoots for a takedown in the center of the Octagon and lands it. Diakiese in side control. Borshchev gets him back to full guard. He gets to his knees and lands a couple of backward elbows and is looking to stand, but Diakiese keeps him down.
Diakiese in side control, but Borshchev gets to his knees again. Borshchev tries to roll out. He manages to get to the cage and stands briefly, but is then brought down again.
Borshchev back on his knees and stands with Diakiese latched to his back and brings him down again and settles in half-guard.
Borshchev to his knees and Diakiese lands a couple of knees to the body. Borshchev flat on his back again as the round ends.
Round Three:
Borshchev presses forward and Diakiese tries to push off the cage to land a superman punch that doesn’t connect.
Borshchev continues to apply pressure, but Diakiese drives for a takedown and lands it. Diakiese in full guard. He’s being very cautious here, opting for control rather than trying to go for damage or a finish.
Crowd getting restless at the lack of action. Borshchev able to get to his feet, but he’s brought straight back down again.
Again Borshchev gets to his feet and is lifted up and put back down again. Rinse and repeat action here. Diakiese lands a punch and a knee.
Diakiese in side control. Crowd booing again, but he’s cruising to victory as the final seconds of the round fizzle out.
Decision:
No doubt about the winner here, with Diakiese’s wrestling based gameplan paying off for a convincing unanimous decision victory.
