PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Jones will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dela Cruz
vs
Jones

182 cm
26
210 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

189 cm
33
213 lbs
23 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mauricio Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Jones!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dela Cruz looks for a takedown but Jones sprawls well.
Dela Cruz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jones swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jones misses with a wild combination.
Jones has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Jones tries to clinch up but Dela Cruz circles away and keeps his distance.
Jones throws a series of strikes that have Dela Cruz backpedaling.

It looks like Mauricio Dela Cruz has been cut.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dela Cruz catches Jones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dela Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dela Cruz circles away quickly and effectively.
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 leaves Jones with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dela Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jones was well out of range. Poor timing from Dela Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz misses with a looping right.

Dela Cruz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jones manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dela Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dela Cruz lands a couple of elbows.
Dela Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dela Cruz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dela Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dela Cruz slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
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 throws a big right hand that misses.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.

Jones has his foot on Dela Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dela Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is pushing down on Jones's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jones is fighting to maintain full guard but Dela Cruz has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Jones looking for submissions off his back.
Jones has hold of Dela Cruz's hands but Dela Cruz slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jones moves into full guard.

Dela Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dela Cruz works over Jones with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.
Jones doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Jones working a defensive guard here.
Dela Cruz lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
We've been hearing that Dela Cruz has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Dela Cruz is working Jones over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dela Cruz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jones's head.
Dela Cruz cracks Jones with a solid left hand.
Dela Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.

Dela Cruz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jones has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dela Cruz has managed to get both his arms back between Jones's legs - danger averted.
Dela Cruz lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dela Cruz is one step ahead there.
Dela Cruz trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dela Cruz postures up and lands a big shot to Jones's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz distracts Jones with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Jones working for submissions but it's allowed Dela Cruz to get to half guard.
Dela Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jones with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jones is in trouble now - Dela Cruz has advanced to mount!
Dela Cruz scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dela Cruz working Jones over with strikes here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dela Cruz in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Jones is rocked!
Jones is looking to improve his position but Dela Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
Jones is still in real trouble! Can Dela Cruz finish him?
Dela Cruz lands a big elbow - Jones is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Jones is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Mauricio Dela Cruz!
During a confident post fight interview, Mauricio Dela Cruz thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.