PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shamar Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Freak on a Leash. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Jackson
vs
Dela Cruz

185 cm
27
200 lbs
18 - 11 - 1

187 cm
38
199 lbs
30 - 27 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Savage

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shamar Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane Dela Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jackson.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dela Cruz manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jackson's best efforts.
Jackson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dela Cruz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dela Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Dela Cruz is controlling Jackson's trapped leg to prevent Jackson from advancing to side control.
Jackson trying to mount his opponent but Dela Cruz defends it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Dela Cruz wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
Jackson is trying to control. Dela Cruz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Jackson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dela Cruz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jackson.
Dela Cruz is looking to control Jackson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dela Cruz avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jackson pushes down on Dela Cruz's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Dela Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Dela Cruz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jackson is working away from the top position though.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Dela Cruz looking for submissions off his back.
Dela Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dela Cruz is on top in guard.
Jackson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dela Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Dela Cruz is retaining full guard.
Dela Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jackson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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!
Dela Cruz trying to control here.
Dela Cruz wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
We've been hearing that Jackson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Dela Cruz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jackson is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dela Cruz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jackson.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jackson is looking to advance position but Dela Cruz won't allow it.
Dela Cruz manages to get to full guard.
Jackson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dela Cruz is looking to regain half guard here but Jackson keeps moving and retains side control.
Jackson working the strikes but Dela Cruz uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dela Cruz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson pushing down on Dela Cruz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dela Cruz is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.
Jackson is pressing down on Dela Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dela Cruz is holding on for now.

Jackson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dela Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Dela Cruz defending well.
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!
Jackson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dela Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Dela Cruz wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jackson wants to pass to mount but Dela Cruz is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shamar Jackson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dela Cruz misses with a looping right.
Dela Cruz misses with a right hand
and Jackson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Shane Dela Cruz has been cut.
Dela Cruz scores with a head kick.
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dela Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dela Cruz tests Jackson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Dela Cruz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Dela Cruz landing strikes.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Dela Cruz working the ground and pound.
Jackson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Jackson tries to roll over but Dela Cruz keeps him under control.
Dela Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jackson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dela Cruz scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.
Dela Cruz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jackson's head.
Jackson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jackson wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Dela Cruz is now in half guard.
Jackson has hold of Dela Cruz's hands but Dela Cruz slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Dela Cruz passes to full mount!
Jackson regains half guard.
Jackson is looking to improve his position.
Dela Cruz working the head and body with strikes.
Dela Cruz drops an elbow to the side of Jackson's head.
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!
Dela Cruz working the head and body with strikes.
Dela Cruz drops an elbow to the side of Jackson's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz working Jackson over with strikes.
Jackson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Dela Cruz has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Dela Cruz scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dela Cruz lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Jackson hang on?
Jackson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dela Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dela Cruz with the ground and pound from mount.
Dela Cruz lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Jackson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dela Cruz punishing his opponent with strikes.
Dela Cruz postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Jackson bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Dela Cruz and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Shane Dela Cruz!
A relieved looking Shane Dela Cruz thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.