PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juan Dela Cruz (ranked 4098 p4p, 336 weight class) and Pablo Ignacio (ranked 4202 p4p, 345 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Dela Cruz
vs
Ignacio

175 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

177 cm
26
135 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Juan Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pablo Ignacio!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Skip Squint and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dela Cruz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dela Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ignacio throws out the jab.
Dela Cruz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ignacio defends well and Dela Cruz ends up having to push Ignacio into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Dela Cruz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ignacio tries to break free but Dela Cruz pushes him back against the cage.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ignacio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dela Cruz looks for the body kick but Ignacio saw that one coming.

Ignacio gets caught napping as Dela Cruz dives in and scores a takedown. Ignacio manages to retain guard.
Ignacio is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Dela Cruz dives into side control.
Ignacio is looking to regain half guard here but Dela Cruz keeps moving and retains side control.

Dela Cruz decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ignacio lunges at Dela Cruz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dela Cruz's hand.
Ignacio blocks a head kick by Dela Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignacio throws an overhand right that lands on Dela Cruz's shoulder, as Dela Cruz tries to avoid the shot.
Ignacio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dela Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ignacio.
Dela Cruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A telegraphed right hand from Ignacio misses the target.
Dela Cruz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ignacio throws a right hand that Dela Cruz ducks under and follows up with a left that Dela Cruz also avoids with ease.

Ignacio gets tackled into the cage by Dela Cruz. Dela Cruz maintains the clinch.

Dela Cruz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dela Cruz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ignacio sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ignacio is fighting to break Dela Cruz's control of his arms but Dela Cruz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Dela Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ignacio trying to control the position from guard on top but Dela Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz has control of Ignacio's left arm, preventing Ignacio from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dela Cruz is on top in guard.

Dela Cruz controlling from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dela Cruz has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dela Cruz gets to his feet. Ignacio looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Dela Cruz slips a straight right by Ignacio.
Ignacio uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Ignacio, looking for a takedown. Dela Cruz pushes Ignacio against the cage but Ignacio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ignacio throws a hook but Dela Cruz blocks it.
Dela Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Ignacio sprawls well. He's pushed Dela Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ignacio swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ignacio just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDela Cruz.

Dela Cruz rushes Ignacio and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ignacio managing to block the knees to the body from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz wants to take the fight to the mat but Ignacio manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dela Cruz has Ignacio pressed against the cage, preventing Ignacio from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ignacio gets underhooks to prevent Dela Cruz's takedown attempt.
Ignacio working hard to break the clinch.
Ignacio wants to get back to striking at distance but Dela Cruz won't allow it.
Ignacio looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz misses with an elbow over the top.

Dela Cruz drags the fight down to the ground.
Dela Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ignacio is trying to get back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Dela Cruz gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Dela Cruz clinches up with Ignacio and pushes him back against the cage.
Dela Cruz is trying to drag Ignacio to the mat but Ignacio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Dela Cruz dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ignacio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ignacio jabs Dela Cruz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dela Cruz on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

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

Dela Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Ignacio scores with a three punch combo!
Ignacio lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dela Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Ignacio.
Ignacio throws out a loose jab but Dela Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignacio connects with a jab.
Dela Cruz avoids the body shot from Ignacio.
Dela Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignacio throws a jab but it's blocked by Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Ignacio.
Ignacio is breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dela Cruz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ignacio.
Ignacio jabs at Dela Cruz's body.
Dela Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Ignacio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Dela Cruz misses.
Pablo Ignacio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dela Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Ignacio thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dela Cruz looks for a takedown but Ignacio sprawls well.
A leg kick checked by Ignacio.

Dela Cruz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dela Cruz content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch.

Dela Cruz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ignacio manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dela Cruz is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dela Cruz stands up and waves to Ignacio to follow him.
Dela Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ignacio tries to avoid it but Dela Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ignacio to the ground. Ignacio escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dela Cruz is defended easily by Ignacio.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Cruz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ignacio checks it well.
Ignacio fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dela Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dela Cruz dives in and scores a takedown into Ignacio's guard.
Dela Cruz passes easily into side control. Nice work.
A lull in the action here as Dela Cruz stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dela Cruz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dela Cruz just content to control the position.

Dela Cruz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dela Cruz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dela Cruz has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Ignacio!
Juan Dela Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ignacio taking shots to the head.
Dela Cruz lands a big elbow.
Ignacio is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Dela Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Ignacio avoids a series of strikes thrown by Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz controlling the pace for now.
Dela Cruz putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Dela Cruz with shots to the head and body - Ignacio looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Dela Cruz dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dela Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Ignacio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dela Cruz slips a straight right by Ignacio.

Dela Cruz clinches with his opponent.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch.
Dela Cruz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Dela Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ignacio defends it nicely.
Ignacio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dela Cruz sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Dela Cruz pushes Ignacio up against the cage in a clinch.
Ignacio working hard to break the clinch.
Ignacio wants to break free but Dela Cruz has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees to the body from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ignacio in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dela Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ignacio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dela Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dela Cruz is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz stalling.
Ignacio working hard to break the clinch.

Dela Cruz decides to pull guard.
Ignacio is fighting to break Dela Cruz's control of his arms but Dela Cruz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Dela Cruz lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Dela Cruz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dela Cruz's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz works over Ignacio with some ground and pound from guard.
Ignacio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ignacio can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dela Cruz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ignacio's guard.

Dela Cruz is trying to work for a kimura but Ignacio is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ignacio is looking to control Dela Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ignacio avoid being mounted?
Ignacio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dela Cruz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dela Cruz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Juan Dela Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Dela Cruz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dela Cruz sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Dela Cruz clinches up with Ignacio and pushes him back against the cage.

Dela Cruz has picked Ignacio up - he's going for a ride! Dela Cruz dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Pablo Ignacio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dela Cruz works his foot free and advances to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dela Cruz looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Dela Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dela Cruz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Dela Cruz!
During a confident post fight interview, Juan Dela Cruz thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.