PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vrando Vraganza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Vraganza
vs
Cruz

180 cm
25
169 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

200 cm
24
170 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vrando Vraganza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leon Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Vrando Vraganza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz throws a head kick but Vraganza moves out of range.
Vraganza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vraganza throws a leg kick
and Cruz counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Vraganza.

Cruz looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Vraganza!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Vraganza tries to reverse the position but Cruz maintains control.
Vraganza is working hard here to advance position.

Cruz moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Vraganza has worked his arm free - good work by Vraganza!
Vraganza tries to strike but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vraganza is trying to buck Cruz off.

Cruz stands up and beckons Vraganza to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Vraganza.
Vrando Vraganza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Cruz.

Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vraganza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vraganza is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Cruz is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Vraganza is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz seems to be looking for submissions.
Vraganza manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vraganza is on top in guard.
Vraganza trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cruz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vraganza.
Vraganza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vraganza content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vraganza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vraganza wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Vraganza looking to pass the guard.
Vraganza trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

Vraganza drops back looking for a leg! Cruz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cruz manages to kick Vraganza off! Vraganza jumps back into Cruz's guard.
Vraganza is pushing down on Cruz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cruz is fighting to maintain full guard but Vraganza has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking to control Vraganza's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cruz avoid being mounted?
Cruz is trying to escape back to his feet but Vraganza uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Cruz tries to improve position but can't.

Vraganza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vraganza cracks Cruz with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz tries to improve position but can't.
Vraganza is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vraganza lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vrando Vraganza dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Vraganza shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vraganza sprawls well. Vraganza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
Cruz moves out of range as Vraganza throws a body kick.
Vraganza throws a head kick that misses.
Vraganza misses with the combination.
Vraganza swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Vraganza.
Leon Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vraganza throws a leg kick but Cruz checks it.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Vraganza shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vrando Vraganza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Vraganza circles away.
Vraganza tries to land a body kick

so Cruz counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vraganza manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Vraganza working Cruz over with strikes here.
Vraganza with shots to the head and body - Cruz looks very uncomfortable down there.
Vraganza has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vraganza working the ground and pound effectively.
Vraganza lands a big elbow.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Cruz tries to reverse the position but Vraganza maintains control.
Vraganza fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Cruz is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vraganza with shots to the head and body - Cruz looks very uncomfortable down there.
Cruz is still in real trouble! Can Vraganza finish him?
Vraganza tries to control but Cruz wriggling away.

Cruz has left one of his arms exposed and Vraganza doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Cruz screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vrando Vraganza!
Vrando Vraganza took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.