PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Delacruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Malik
vs
Delacruz

190 cm
20
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Abdul Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fred Delacruz!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Delacruz forces Malik back against the cage and clinches.
Malik controlling the action here for a moment.
Delacruz stalls.
Malik drops down looking for an ankle pick but Delacruz pulls his leg out and moves away.

Delacruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Malik is staying active underneath Delacruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Malik wants to sweep but Delacruz has passed to side control!
Delacruz is looking to take a break and control but Malik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Malik is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Delacruz is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malik wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Delacruz.
Delacruz content just to control the position here.
Malik wants to hold on but Delacruz pushes him away.
Malik is desperately trying to improve his position but Delacruz has a good base and remains in mount.
Malik wants to control but Delacruz is having none of it.
Malik is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Delacruz swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Malik is now in Delacruz's guard. A big mistake from Delacruz there, giving up the dominant position!
Malik wants to control from the top but Delacruz keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Delacruz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Malik trying to control the position from guard on top but Delacruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Abdul Malik wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Delacruz takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Delacruz breaks from the clinch.
Malik leaves Delacruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Delacruz counters with a takedown into side control.
Malik is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malik is working hard here to advance position.

Delacruz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Malik is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malik is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malik is trying to escape the position but Delacruz is controlling the position.
Delacruz lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Malik down.
Malik looks to move to half guard but instead Delacruz has passed into mount! Damn!
Delacruz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Malik tries to hold on but Delacruz pushes him away.
Malik is squirming around, avoiding Delacruz's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Delacruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Malik. No joy for Delacruz on that attempt.
Delacruz takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Malik really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Malik closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Delacruz's guard.
Malik would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Delacruz wants to sweep here but Malik controlling him for the moment.
Delacruz wants to stand up but Malik is controlling him.

Delacruz wriggles free and stands up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Delacruz moves in looking to clinch but Malik pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malik wants to clinch.
Malik wants to clinch but Delacruz slips to the side
and Delacruz counters with a nice leg kick.
Malik shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Delacruz counters with a takedown into side control.
Malik tries to bench press Delacruz off him but Delacruz keeps the position.
Delacruz works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fred Delacruz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Delacruz throws a strike aimed at the side of Malik's head but Malik avoids it well.
Delacruz is working Malik over with some ground and pound from side control.
Delacruz staying calm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malik tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Delacruz advances to mount.

Delacruz get's back to his feet.

Delacruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Malik sprawls well initially but Delacruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Delacruz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Delacruz wants to work for an arm triangle but Malik is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Delacruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Delacruz works his foot free and advances to mount.
Delacruz controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Let's hope that Delacruz has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Delacruz cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Delacruz pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Delacruz trying to control but Malik is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Delacruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Delacruz lands a nice looking body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Malik.
Malik has his takedown stuffed

and Delacruz counters with a nice double leg into side control. Malik won't be happy with that.
Delacruz throws an elbow but Malik slips to the side and avoids it well.
Delacruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Malik keeps working.
Malik is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Delacruz stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Delacruz tries to clinch but Malik is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Delacruz moves into the clinch successfully.
Delacruz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Malik smiles and moves away.
Delacruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Delacruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Delacruz misses the shot to the body.
Delacruz tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Malik moves into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Delacruz.
Delacruz is trying to drag Malik to the mat but Malik just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Abdul Malik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Delacruz.
Delacruz is working for takedown but Malik is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malik tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Delacruz smiles and moves away.
Malik tries for a takedown but Delacruz circles away easily

and Delacruz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Malik's guard now.
Malik is trying to control the position but Delacruz postures up.
Delacruz 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.
Delacruz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Malik working a defensive guard here.
Delacruz looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Delacruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Delacruz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice sprawl there from Malik as Delacruz shoots in.
Delacruz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Malik.
Delacruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Delacruz stuffs the takedown attempt from Malik. Malik gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four 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.
Delacruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Malik sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Delacruz somewhat.

Malik clinches up with Delacruz and pushes him back against the cage.
Malik wants to break the clinch but can't.
Malik jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Delacruz walks away with a smile on his face. Malik gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Delacruz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Delacruz lands in his opponent's guard.
Malik is looking to sweep but instead, Delacruz has passed into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fred Delacruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Delacruz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fred Delacruz!