PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Merowech Van Dhalism (ranked 3544 p4p, 3635 weight class) and Cuervo Oquendo (ranked 433 p4p, 446 weight class). Cuervo Oquendo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Van Dhalism
vs
Oquendo

184 cm
20
188
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
190
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Merowech Van Dhalism!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cuervo Oquendo!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Dhalism.
Oquendo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Dhalism was well out of range. Poor timing from Oquendo.
An attempted straight right counter from Van Dhalism misses the target.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Oquendo crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Van Dhalism - the referee stops the clock and Oquendo gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Van Dhalism. Oquendo manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Van Dhalism loads up on a big right hand but Oquendo slips the punch.
As Van Dhalism backs off Oquendo throws a huge counter combo but Van Dhalism manages to avoid it all.
Oquendo throws a good cross that connects.
Van Dhalism dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Dhalism takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Oquendo throws out a powerful jab.
Van Dhalism looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Oquendo works over Van Dhalism's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Oquendo lands a right hook to the body.
Van Dhalism missing with a left hand there. Oquendo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Van Dhalism throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Oquendo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Van Dhalism doesn't seem phased though.
Oquendo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Oquendo digs a good body shot into Van Dhalism's ribs.
Van Dhalism cracks Oquendo with a good jab.
Van Dhalism takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cuervo Oquendo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oquendo scores with a hook to the body. Van Dhalism takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Oquendo lands a lovely overhand right.
Oquendo has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Oquendo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Van Dhalism sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Van Dhalism takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Van Dhalism is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oquendo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Oquendo scores with the left hand. Van Dhalism knows he should have avoided that one.
Van Dhalism throws out a leg kick but Oquendo moves out of range and Van Dhalism only half commits.
Van Dhalism ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Oquendo misses with an uppercut.
Oquendo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Van Dhalism had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Oquendo blocks a jab.
Oquendo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good standup being displayed there by Oquendo as he connects with a hook.
Oh Van Dhalism is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Oquendo clinches up with Van Dhalism and pushes him back against the cage.
Van Dhalism seems to have got his legs back now.
A body shot lands from Oquendo.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Oquendo.
Oquendo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Van Dhalism working hard to break the clinch.
Oquendo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oquendo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice body punch from Oquendo - that landed with a thud.
Oquendo gets through Van Dhalism's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oquendo has Van Dhalism pressed against the cage, preventing Van Dhalism from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Oquendo lands with a short shot to the head.
Oquendo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Van Dhalism is breathing heavily.
Oquendo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Van Dhalisms head.
Oquendo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Oquendo lands a shoulder strike.
Oquendo lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Dhalism backwards.
Oquendo lands an uppercut.
Oquendo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Oquendo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Oquendo lands a big right hand that drops Van Dhalism! The killer instinct kicks in and Oquendo finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Oquendo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cuervo Oquendo!