PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darian Cruz (ranked 20473 p4p, 5250 weight class) and Medieval Mercenary (ranked 518 p4p, 466 weight class). Medieval Mercenary will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Cruz
vs
Mercenary

173 cm
38
146
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
34
165
10 - 12 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darian Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Medieval Mercenary!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercenary misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Mercenary.
Mercenary swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Mercenary sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mercenary misses with a two punch combination.
Cruz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mercenary looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Mercenary sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mercenary gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mercenary trying to land knees to the body.
Cruz can't get the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz wants the takedown. Mercenary is fighting it off but Cruz persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mercenary's guard against the cage.
We've been hearing good reports from Cruz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercenary keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mercenary is keeping the position for now.
Cruz content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control but Mercenary is working from the bottom.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.

Mercenary has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Cruz has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Mercenary swings wildly with an uppercut but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercenary is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercenary working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mercenary scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Cruz goes for a takedown attempt but Mercenary pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Mercenary.
Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mercenary as he avoids it easily.
Mercenary lands a lovely overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mercenary counters with a monster head kick that knocks Cruz out cold! He topples like fallen a tree, crashing to the mat! Timbeeeeeerrr!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Medieval Mercenary!
A relieved looking Medieval Mercenary thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.