PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony McKenzie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santa Cruz kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 50 cent P.I.M.P. McKenzie is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Manchester Orchestra - Virgin. Anthony McKenzie will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Santa Cruz
vs
McKenzie

180 cm
21
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

184 cm
21
185 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Santa Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anthony McKenzie!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Santa Cruz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McKenzie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Santa Cruz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
McKenzie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Santa Cruz manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McKenzie stopping the sweep attempt from Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

McKenzie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santa Cruz looking for a guillotine here but McKenzie defends easily.

Santa Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McKenzie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McKenzie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McKenzie stopping the sweep attempt from Santa Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santa Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

McKenzie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Santa Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McKenzie has managed to get both his arms back between Santa Cruz's legs - danger averted.
Santa Cruz looking to control.
Santa Cruz manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Santa Cruz is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But McKenzie has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from McKenzie!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santa Cruz looking for a guillotine here but McKenzie defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santa Cruz is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but McKenzie frees his head nicely. Oh but Santa Cruz has switched to an armbar! McKenzie is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Rafael Santa Cruz!
Rafael Santa Cruz retains his welterweight title!
Rafael Santa Cruz managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, [WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry), into his post fight interview.