PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Art Vincent Dela Cruz (ranked 2621 p4p, 2468 weight class) and Bertel Haardt (ranked 278 p4p, 268 weight class). Dela Cruz's entrance music is This is the Moment. A fine choice. The key to victory for Art Vincent Dela Cruz has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Dela Cruz
vs
Haardt

195 cm
24
265
8 - 7 - 0

186 cm
27
279
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

The Dirty Needle Project

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Art Vincent Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bertel Haardt!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haardt throws a sloppy head kick and Dela Cruz moves out of range easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Dela Cruz as he connects with a hook.

It looks like Bertel Haardt has been cut.

Dela Cruz throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Haardt tumbling to the canvas!

Haardt is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Dela Cruz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Haardt dives on top into guard.

Haardt is still in real trouble! Can Dela Cruz finish him?
Haardt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dela Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Haardt stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Haardt seems to have recovered his senses.
A slow jab from Dela Cruz misses its intended target.
Dela Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
Dela Cruz blocks a head kick by Haardt.
A head kick from Haardt lands but Dela Cruz takes it in his stride.

Dela Cruz with a dominant takedown and that's winded Haardt.
Dela Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Haardt is retaining full guard.
Dela Cruz trying to control but Haardt is working from the bottom.
Dela Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haardt is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz pushes down on Haardt's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Dela Cruz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haardt defends it well.

Dela Cruz is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Haardt to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Dela Cruz wants to control from the top but Haardt keeps moving.
Dela Cruz passes Haardt's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Dela Cruz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Haardt is defending against the submission attempts here by Dela Cruz.
Haardt pushes Dela Cruz off looking to stand but Dela Cruz dives back in and keeps control.

Dela Cruz trying to work for an americana but Haardt has managed to regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Dela Cruz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dela Cruz controlling from side mount.
Haardt 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dela Cruz moves into full mount!
Haardt is trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz wants to control the pace but Haardt is squirming around nicely.

Dela Cruz wants to finish this one by submission but Haardt is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Dela Cruz is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Haardt can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Dela Cruz trying to control but Haardt is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Haardt really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Art Vincent Dela Cruz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bertel Haardt's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Haardt misses the shot to the body.

Haardt has managed to clinch.
Haardt swings wildly with an uppercut but Dela Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dela Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haardt can do to turn this around?

Haardt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dela Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haardt takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Haardt instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dela Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Haardt trying to land knees to the body.
Dela Cruz wants a takedown but no success here.
Haardt creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Dela Cruz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dela Cruz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Haardt prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Vincent Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Haardt creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Dela Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dela Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Haardt gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dela Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dela Cruz is looking for a takedown.
Dela Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Dela Cruz tries for a takedown but Haardt manages to get underhooks.
Haardt is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Haardt with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haardt breaks the clinch.
Haardt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Haardt moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Haardt on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Art Vincent Dela Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
Haardt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bertel Haardt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haardt throws a jab when Dela Cruz was well out of range.

Haardt forces Dela Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
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!
A shot in the inside from Haardt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Dela Cruz can't get the takedown.
Dela Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Haardt fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Haardt pushes Dela Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haardt gets underhooks to prevent Dela Cruz's takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Haardt scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dela Cruz has Haardt pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Haardt manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Haardt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dela Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haardt.
Dela Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Haardt jabs Dela Cruz right on the nose. Dela Cruz blinks but takes it well.
A slow jab from Dela Cruz misses its intended target.
Haardt is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Haardt gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Dela Cruz throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Haardt tumbling to the canvas!

That has opened up Bertel Haardt's cut even more.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haardt is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dela Cruz is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz looking to pass the guard.
Dela Cruz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Dela Cruz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Haardt is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Dela Cruz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Dela Cruz stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bertel Haardt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bertel Haardt's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Haardt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dela Cruz catches Haardt with a right, a left, a right. It's raining punches and Haardt forgot an umbrella! Another punch and he's down. This one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Art Vincent Dela Cruz!
In his post fight interview, Art Vincent Dela Cruz gave a big smile as he said 'First of all i would like to thank God for this opportunity man i dream this since i was a kid. And here it is in my waist man this lil heavy but i feel so damn fine i love this feeling man this is for everyone in the Philippines thank you all. And to mt opponent man you give me a hard time i almost'.