PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dani Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Ulianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ulianenko has chosen One - Metallica as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cruz
vs
Ulianenko

197 cm
22
144 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dani Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mikhail Ulianenko!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Alexandre Firmino and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Ulianenko wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Ulianenko tries to clinch but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ulianenko as he avoids it easily.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dani Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ulianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ulianenko tries to clinch but Cruz is having none of it.

Ulianenko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ulianenko misses with a knee to the head.
Ulianenko misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ulianenko is defending well for now.
Ulianenko with a knee to the head.
Ulianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cruz fails to pull guard.
Ulianenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cruz.
Ulianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ulianenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ulianenko tries a knee to the head but Cruz blocks it.

Cruz pulls Ulianenko into guard.
Ulianenko wants to get up but he can't break Cruz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ulianenko looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz trying to control the position here.

Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ulianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Cruz is tightening it up a little... Ulianenko has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Ulianenko reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Ulianenko taps out! nice BJJ there by Cruz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Dani Cruz!