PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kris Capers (ranked 4684 p4p, 201 weight class) and Juan Dela Cruz (ranked 7254 p4p, 242 weight class). Kris Capers had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Kris Capers is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Capers
vs
Dela Cruz

165 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

CAGED CROW Clothings 50$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kris Capers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Juan Dela Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dela Cruz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Capers to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Capers passes Dela Cruz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Capers is looking to stall here but Dela Cruz recovers full guard.

Dela Cruz looking for a guillotine here but Capers defends easily.
Dela Cruz wants to stand up but Capers is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capers stopping the sweep attempt from Dela Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capers wants to control from the top but Dela Cruz keeps moving.
Capers tries to free his leg and advance position but Dela Cruz is retaining full guard.
Dela Cruz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Capers controls from within his opponent's guard.
Dela Cruz has control of Capers's left arm, preventing Capers from doing any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Capers looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Capers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dela Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A punch lands to the side of Capers 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Kris Capers has been cut.
Dela Cruz avoids a kick to the body.
Dela Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Capers was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Capers gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Dela Cruz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Dela Cruz.
Capers wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Dela Cruz manages to pass to side control.
Dela Cruz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Capers. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Capers wants to get back to full guard.
Dela Cruz is keen to just control but Capers is a slippery customer.
Capers keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capers is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dela Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Capers keeps working.
Dela Cruz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dela Cruz controlling the action here.

Dela Cruz stands up and beckons Capers to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dela Cruz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Capers's waist but Capers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dela Cruz off to one side.
Dela Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Capers counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dela Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Capers avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kris Capers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Dela Cruz.
Capers just leaning against Dela Cruz, taking a breather.
Dela Cruz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Dela Cruz manages to break the clinch.

Capers closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Dela Cruz did well to prevent Capers getting side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dela Cruz keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Dela Cruz works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Juan Dela Cruz will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kris Capers's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dela Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dela Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dela Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
Dela Cruz's coach down at Pugilists and Grapplers Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Dela Cruz's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Dela Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Capers circles away.

Dela Cruz darts in and clinches Capers up against the cage.

Dela Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Dela Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Capers tries to avoid it but Dela Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Capers to the ground. Capers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Capers tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dela Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Capers somewhat.

Dela Cruz has closed the distance and engaged Capers in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capers goes for a takedown attempt but Dela Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Capers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dela Cruz closes the distance and pushes Capers back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dela Cruz breaks from the clinch.
Juan Dela Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Capers doesn't manage to clinch there - Dela Cruz circles away.
Capers tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dela Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Capers somewhat.
Dela Cruz throws a big shot that misses.

Capers gets tackled into the cage by Dela Cruz. Dela Cruz maintains the clinch.
Dela Cruz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Capers pulls his leg out and moves away.
Capers misses with a body kick.
Capers fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Capers leaves Dela Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Dela Cruz rushes Capers and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz tries to pull guard but Capers won't allow it.

Dela Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Capers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dela Cruz is fending him off so far but Capers persists. Nope, Dela Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.
Capers is looking to clinch.
Capers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Capers wants it to stay on the feet.
Dela Cruz throws a body kick that misses
and Capers counters with a series of strikes. Dela Cruz will be more careful next time no doubt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dela Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Capers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dela Cruz is fending him off so far but Capers persists. Nope, Dela Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dela Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Capers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dela Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dela Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Capers sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
An attempted straight right counter from Capers misses the target.
Dela Cruz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Capers.

Dela Cruz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Capers, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capers blocking some punches.
Capers tries for a takedown. No joy.

Dela Cruz breaks from the clinch.
Capers scores with a nice body kick.
Dela Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Capers tries to avoid it but Dela Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Capers to the ground. Capers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dela Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Capers swivels and escapes.
Dela Cruz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Capers fails to land the takedown.
Dela Cruz flicks out a counter leg kick but Capers steps away.
Dela Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Capers moves out of range easily.
As Dela Cruz tries to get set, Capers tries to push him back and clinch up but Dela Cruz manages to avoid the attempt.
Capers waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz goes for a double leg but Capers avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Capers continues to drive forward.
Capers tries to counter by clinching up but Dela Cruz breaks away and moves out of range.
Capers stuffs the takedown.
Capers is looking to counter the offense by Dela Cruz and move into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dela Cruz.
Capers lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Juan Dela Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Capers instigates a clinch.
Capers wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dela Cruz throws a head punch that misses.
Capers prevents the takedown attempt.
Capers effectively controlling the action here.
Dela Cruz can't find room to land a body shot as Capers controls the action.
Dela Cruz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Capers prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Dela Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kris Capers's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Dela Cruz wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Capers misses the target.
Dela Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
Dela Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Dela Cruz avoids the head kick by Capers.
Capers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Capers wants it to stay on the feet.
Capers seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Capers tries for a takedown but Dela Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Capers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dela Cruz just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromCapers.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capers tries for a takedown but Dela Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Capers leaves Dela Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kris Capers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Dela Cruz.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Dela Cruz takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capers content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dela Cruz fails with the takedown.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Dela Cruz lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Capers has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Capers and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Capers takes the fight into the clinch.
Capers has Dela Cruz pushed against the cage.
Dela Cruz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Capers has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dela Cruz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Capers backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz jumps guard but Capers turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Capers is trying to pull guard but Dela Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Dela Cruz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Capers tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dela Cruz smiles and moves away.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Capers as he jumps to the side.

Dela Cruz takes the fight into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Dela Cruz takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Capers is looking to control Dela Cruz's arms but Dela Cruz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Capers has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz wants a takedown.
Capers has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dela Cruz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Capers pulls guard successfully.
Dela Cruz is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Capers keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Capers is looking to stand back up but Dela Cruz counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Capers.
Dela Cruz stalling.
Capers is trying to stand up here but Dela Cruz is controlling him well.
Capers is trying to maintain the position but Dela Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dela Cruz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Juan Dela Cruz.
I've got Dela Cruz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Dela Cruz!
An out of breath Juan Dela Cruz thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.