PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rory McDonnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDonnell comes to the cage accompanied by Bloc Party - Ares (Remix). Cruz has chosen My Way - Limpbizkit as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McDonnell
vs
Cruz

183 cm
20
185 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

186 cm
28
184 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Voodoo Nutrition

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rory McDonnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rafael Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

McDonnell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruz pulls his head out easily.

Cruz is working for a kimura but McDonnell is defending it quite comfortably.
Cruz wants to control but McDonnell is keeping him busy.
McDonnell trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.
McDonnell tries to get to full guard but Cruz has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell is trying to control but can't.

McDonnell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruz pulls his head out easily.

McDonnell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz stalling.
McDonnell trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.

McDonnell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McDonnell controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
McDonnell wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cruz stalling.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonnell is trying to control but can't.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McDonnell moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
McDonnell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cruz.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonnell is just out of range.
Cruz has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McDonnell.
McDonnell connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cruz momentarily.
Cruz digs a good body shot into McDonnell's ribs.
McDonnell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Rory McDonnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonnell explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Cruz looks winded!
Cruz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Cruz is rocked!
A chopping leg kick lands by McDonnell.
Cruz is still on wobbly legs! Can McDonnell finish him?
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
McDonnell lands hard precision jab right on the jaw that stiffens Cruz up and sends him tumbling to the mat! The ref grabs McDonnell from behind before he can pounce. Some folks in the crowd didn't like that stoppage, but I saw Cruz's eyes roll way back in his head, he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Rory McDonnell!
Rory McDonnell managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Voodoo Nutrition, into his post fight interview.
In defeat, Rafael Cruz stepped up to the mic, saying 'This is it; can't be losing to subpar competition. I'm outta here '.