PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dakker Kane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Dela Cruz
vs
Kane

187 cm
39
199 lbs
31 - 29 - 0

190 cm
23
203 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 31 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Shane Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dakker Kane!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dela Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kane has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Dela Cruz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kane stopping the sweep attempt from Dela Cruz.
Kane wants to pass the guard but Dela Cruz is keeping the position.
Dela Cruz wants to sweep here but Kane controlling him for the moment.
We've been hearing good reports from Dela Cruz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kane 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.

Kane drops back looking for a leg! Dela Cruz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dela Cruz manages to kick Kane off! Kane jumps back into Dela Cruz's guard.
Kane trying to control the position from guard on top but Dela Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dela Cruz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kane defends it easily.

Dela Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Dela Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kane doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kane manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kane wants to pass the guard but Dela Cruz is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dela Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kane must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Dela Cruz is looking for a triangle but Kane pushes his legs off easily.
Dela Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kane is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dela Cruz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dela Cruz has escaped and now he's on top!
Dela Cruz pushes down on Kane's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane wants to control but Dela Cruz is keeping busy.
Dela Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dela Cruz winds up and cracks Kane with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kane tries to roll over but Dela Cruz keeps him under control.
Kane is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dela Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kane trying to control but Dela Cruz postures up.
Dela Cruz thows a huge punch but Kane dodges it nicely.
Dela Cruz is trying to control. Kane wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kane is trying to get back to full guard.
Kane trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kane blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dela Cruz.
Kane is controlling Dela Cruz's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dela Cruz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dela Cruz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Kane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dela Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dela Cruz is looking to stall here but Kane recovers full guard.

Kane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dela Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Dela Cruz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good exchange - Kane coming out on top.
Kane getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A big left from Dela Cruz misses.
Kane fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kane ducks right into an uppercut from Dela Cruz.

Kane darts in and clinches Dela Cruz up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kane throws an elbow but misses.
Kane prevents the takedown attempt.
Dela Cruz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kane walks away with a smile on his face. Dela Cruz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kane pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice body kick there by Kane.
Dela Cruz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kane.
Kane moves out of range of the strikes.
Dela Cruz jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz blocks a head kick by Kane.
Dela Cruz gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Dela Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab from Kane.
Dela Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Kane ducks down to avoid it.

Kane changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dela Cruz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Dela Cruz is looking to regain half guard here but Kane keeps moving and retains side control.
Dela Cruz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Kane is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dela Cruz is just riding it out for now. Kane eventually gives up the hold.

Dela Cruz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane tries to pass to full mount but Dela Cruz defends it.

Kane is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kane seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Dela Cruz looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz missing with punches from the bottom.
Dela Cruz wants to improve his position but Kane is controlling well.
Kane wants to free his trapped foot but Dela Cruz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Well, if Kane is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dela Cruz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shane Dela Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kane got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dela Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kane has managed to get both his arms back between Dela Cruz's legs - danger averted.

Dela Cruz has his foot on Kane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kane works his way back into a safe position though.

Dela Cruz has his foot on Kane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kane works his way back into a safe position though.
Kane trying to control but Dela Cruz is working from the bottom.
Kane slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kane wants to control from the top but Dela Cruz keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dakker Kane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dela Cruz fails with the takedown

and Kane counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dela Cruz!

Kane is trying to get an arm triangle but Dela Cruz is defending well.
Dela Cruz manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kane's best efforts.

Kane is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Dela Cruz looking for subs from the bottom but Kane mounts him!
Dela Cruz slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane controlling the pace.
Kane is keen to just control but Dela Cruz is a slippery customer.
Dela Cruz trying to control from the bottom.

Kane wants to work for an arm triangle but Dela Cruz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dela Cruz is trying to control but can't.

Dela Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Dela Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kane is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dela Cruz is just riding it out for now. Kane eventually gives up the hold.
Dela Cruz gets back to full guard.

Dela Cruz looking for a guillotine here but Kane defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane looking to pass the guard.

Kane drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dela Cruz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kane has Dela Cruz in his guard.
Dela Cruz wants to control from the top but Kane keeps moving.
Dela Cruz won't allow Kane to sweep him here.
Dela Cruz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Kane looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dela Cruz works over Kane with some ground and pound from guard.

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

Kane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dela Cruz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dela Cruz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Dela Cruz pushing down on Kane's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dela Cruz is pressing down on Kane's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kane is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dela Cruz is thwarting Kane's attempts to control the position.
Dela Cruz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shane Dela Cruz.
I think Dela Cruz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Dela Cruz!
Shane Dela Cruz thanked the fans post fight for their support.