PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johny Larente (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sergio Cruz could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johny Larente's chin.

Cruz
vs
Larente

181 cm
24
189 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio 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, Johny Larente!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Larente shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cruz's guard.
Larente looking to pass the guard.
Larente throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cruz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Larente has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Larente throwing strikes from guard but Cruz blocks nicely.
Larente scoring with punches to the head and body.
Larente thows a big elbow that misses.
Larente is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larente throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Larente slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Larente tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Larente lands a few punches from side control.

Larente goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cruz has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Larente but great work by Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

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

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

Cruz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larente is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cruz has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Larente sneaks out the side door and pushes Cruz away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Larente scores a takedown into full mount!
Larente landing punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larente raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Cruz that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Larente landing strikes from the mount and Cruz is in trouble!
Larente wants to control the pace but Cruz is squirming around nicely.
Larente putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Larente landing strikes from the mount.
Larente fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Larente working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Larente dominated that round.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cruz tries for a takedown but Larente circles away easily

and Larente counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cruz won't be happy with that.
Larente lands an elbow.
Larente advances to full mount.
Cruz is working to get back to half guard.
Larente has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cruz's face.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larente lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Cruz hang on?
Larente scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Larente has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cruz's face.

Larente looking to isolate an arm here. Cruz doesn't see it coming and as Larente extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Larente!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Johny Larente!