PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kisuke Urahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santa Cruz comes to the cage accompanied by 50 cent P.I.M.P. Rafael Santa Cruz had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Santa Cruz
vs
Urahara

180 cm
30
175 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

183 cm
27
180 lbs
12 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

ONI
Kore Fight Nutrition [TG]

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Santa Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Kisuke Urahara!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santa Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Santa Cruz throws a sloppy head kick

and Urahara counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've been hearing reports that Santa Cruz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Santa Cruz lands a shoulder strike.
A bit of stalling here from Urahara.
Santa Cruz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Santa Cruz.
Urahara tries to work over Santa Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Urahara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Urahara misses with a body punch.
Santa Cruz tries a body shot but Urahara blocks it.
Urahara lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Santa Cruz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Santa Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Urahara has him pressed against the cage.
Santa Cruz digs a right hand into Urahara's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Urahara's gas tank.
Still in the clinch, Santa Cruz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Santa Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Urahara takes a shot to the head.
Urahara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Urahara's elbow.
Urahara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Santa Cruz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Urahara misses with a body punch.
Santa Cruz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Urahara pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Santa Cruz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick which misses Urahara's front leg but catches the back leg as Urahara tries to avoid it.
Urahara moves out of range of the leg kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick but Urahara avoids it.
Urahara moves in looking to clinch but Santa Cruz pushes him off.
Santa Cruz scores with a leg kick.
Urahara lands with a straight right. Santa Cruz didn't see that one coming.
Urahara tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A clash of legs there as Santa Cruz blocks the low kick.
Santa Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Urahara.
Urahara shoots in for a double leg but Santa Cruz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Urahara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santa Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Urahara throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Urahara tries to work over Santa Cruz's front leg with a kick but Santa Cruz checks it.
A leg kick checked by Santa Cruz.
Urahara lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Urahara darts in trying to clinch
and Santa Cruz counters with a low kick, right behind Urahara 's knee.
Santa Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Urahara looks to score with a jab to the body but Santa Cruz is just out of range.
Santa Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Santa Cruz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Urahara's sensitive parts.
Santa Cruz blocks a jab.
Urahara throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A big left from Santa Cruz misses.
Santa Cruz checks a low kick from Urahara.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Urahara moved away.
Santa Cruz looks to land a body kick but Urahara moved away.

Urahara changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Santa Cruz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz struggling a bit here.
Santa Cruz tries to improve position but can't.
Santa Cruz being controlled for a moment.
Urahara has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Santa Cruz!
Urahara thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Urahara working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Santa Cruz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Urahara jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Santa Cruz manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is looking to regain half guard here but Urahara keeps moving and retains side control.
Urahara working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santa Cruz manages to get back to half guard.

Urahara is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Santa Cruz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Urahara.
Urahara wants to lay and pray for a moment but Santa Cruz keeps working.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kisuke Urahara will probably get the nod.
That's time! Santa Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A low kick from Santa Cruz is predictable there

and Urahara counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Santa Cruz prevents a body shot from Urahara.
Urahara cracks Santa Cruz with a nice body shot.
Santa Cruz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Santa Cruz looking to stall.
Santa Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Santa Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Urahara won't allow it.
Santa Cruz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Urahara has him pressed against the cage.
Santa Cruz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Urahara backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Santa Cruz fails to land.
Santa Cruz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Urahara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rafael Santa Cruz has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Santa Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Santa Cruz scores with a jab to the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santa Cruz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urahara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Urahara doesn't manage to clinch there - Santa Cruz circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Urahara looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santa Cruz tried to score with a low kick but Urahara checks it.
Santa Cruz misses with a leg kick
and Urahara counters with a slapping leg kick.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick but Urahara avoids it.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Urahara takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Urahara slips a straight right by Santa Cruz.
Urahara misses the shot to the body.
Urahara is looking to slow Santa Cruz down with leg kicks.

Santa Cruz looking to score a takedown here. Urahara is defending well but Santa Cruz drives through and ends up in Urahara's guard.
Santa Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Urahara.

Urahara looking for subs off his back but Santa Cruz has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Urahara trying to control here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Urahara slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Urahara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Urahara is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Urahara has momentary wrist control but Santa Cruz slips an elbow through the middle.
Santa Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Urahara has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Urahara's head.
Santa Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Santa Cruz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Santa Cruz is looking to advance position but Urahara has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Santa Cruz is looking to get to half guard.
Santa Cruz blocking the ground and pound.
Santa Cruz sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Santa Cruz gets back to full guard.
Urahara scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Urahara works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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!
Santa Cruz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santa Cruz has a hand on Urahara's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Urahara takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Santa Cruz is desperately trying to improve his position but Urahara has a good base and remains in mount.
Santa Cruz is squirming around, avoiding Urahara's attempts to control the action.
Santa Cruz wants to control but Urahara is having none of it.
Santa Cruz is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santa Cruz is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Santa Cruz dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Santa Cruz checks a low kick from Urahara.
Urahara connects with an inside leg kick.
Santa Cruz does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Urahara thuds a left hand into Santa Cruz's body.
Both fighters circling a little - Santa Cruz finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Urahara takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A shot to the liver by Santa Cruz. Beautiful body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Urahara.
Santa Cruz tried to score with a low kick but Urahara checks it.
Urahara throws a body punch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Urahara checks it.
Urahara looks to score with a jab to the body but Santa Cruz is just out of range.
Urahara checks a leg kick nicely.
Urahara lands an overhand right.
Santa Cruz takes a swing at Urahara's ribcage but misses.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Urahara looks to score with a jab to the body but Santa Cruz is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urahara's corner calls for a 1-2. Urahara obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urahara throws a lazy right hand but Santa Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Urahara checks a low kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Urahara shoots in for a takedown but Santa Cruz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Urahara is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Santa Cruz rather than just go for the knockout.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick
and Urahara counters with a good low kick that Santa Cruz was not able to check.
Santa Cruz throws a body kick that misses.
Santa Cruz misses with a head kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Urahara.
Urahara throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Santa Cruz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Santa Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Urahara moves away.
Urahara misses with the combination.
Santa Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Santa Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Urahara fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Santa Cruz.
Urahara lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Urahara scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Urahara takes a swing at Santa Cruz's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santa Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Urahara sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Urahara misses with a body punch.
Urahara pushes Santa Cruz back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Santa Cruz lands a hook that snaps the head of Urahara backwards.
Santa Cruz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Santa Cruz prevents a body shot from Urahara.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Urahara prevents a body shot from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz misses with the head strike.

Santa Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A low kick from Santa Cruz misses
and Urahara counters with a good low kick that Santa Cruz was not able to check.
Santa Cruz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Santa Cruz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Urahara is out of range.
Urahara lands a nice looking kick to the body. Santa Cruz takes a step back to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz throws a front kick aimed at Urahara's knee but Urahara avoids it well.
Urahara throws a body punch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Kisuke Urahara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Urahara finds it's way through Santa Cruz's defenses.
Urahara moves out of range of the body kick from Santa Cruz.
Urahara stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Urahara scoring well with a low kick there.
A swing and a miss from Santa Cruz.
Urahara misses with a takedown attempt - Santa Cruz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Urahara looks to land a combination but Santa Cruz avoids it well.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. Urahara looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Santa Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Urahara looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Urahara throws a head kick that misses.
Urahara throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Urahara throws a wild body kick that Santa Cruz sees coming a mile off.
Urahara takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Santa Cruz scores with a hook to the body. Urahara takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Urahara checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
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!
Santa Cruz throws a front kick that sends Urahara stumbling back into the cage.
Rafael Santa Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Urahara avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Santa Cruz misses with a head kick.
Urahara shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santa Cruz sprawls well. Santa Cruz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Urahara gets slowly back to his feet.
Rafael Santa Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kisuke Urahara.
Santa Cruz misses with a low kick.
Santa Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Urahara.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Santa Cruz. That's going to slow Urahara down.
Urahara does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. Urahara looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Urahara throws a shot from downtown. Santa Cruz moves away and avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kisuke Urahara.
I think Urahara has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kisuke Urahara!
Kisuke Urahara made sure to mention his sponsor, TFP Graphics - Pit Inc in his post fight interview.
Rafael Santa Cruz spoke after the fight, saying 'That bullshit, I'm going to appeal that decision it sucks balls, fuck it!'.