PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dexter Mallin (ranked 3531 p4p, 2490 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 378 p4p, 292 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Mallin
vs
Cruz

188 cm
21
209
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
210
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Dexter Mallin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Anthony Taglia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz throws a good cross that connects.
Mallin throws a leg kick

and Cruz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cruz.
Cruz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Cruz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cruz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mallin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Mallin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz content to stall in guard here.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mallin trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cruz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cruz landing some decent shots from guard.
Mallin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cruz stands up over Mallin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cruz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cruz landing some decent shots from guard.

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 lands a couple of elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cruz preventing the sweep.
Cruz scoring with punches to the head and body.

Mallin is working an open guard so Cruz takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mallin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Mallin.
Cruz throws a body punch but Mallin moves out of range.
Cruz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mallin jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cruz trying to control the pace.

Cruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Mallin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mallin tries to get out of the position.
Cruz prevents Mallin from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Cruz.
Cruz works his way into side control.
Cruz slows the pace down.
Mallin taking a bit of punishment here - Cruz scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mallin struggling a bit here.
Cruz slows the pace down.
Cruz scoring with punches from side control.

Cruz is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Mallin is trying to escape and Cruz transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Mallin is forced to tap! Nice work there by Cruz! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricardo Cruz!