PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Juan Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas has chosen i as his entrance music. Mark Thomas struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Mark Thomas is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Dela Cruz
vs
Thomas

160 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juan Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Thomas!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Dela Cruz on that attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz gets a takedown into half guard.
Thomas is looking to control Dela Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thomas avoid being mounted?
Dela Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Thomas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thomas is defending against the submission attempts here by Dela Cruz.
Thomas wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas is refusing to be controlled, as Dela Cruz sits in half guard.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas tries to roll over but Dela Cruz keeps him under control.
Dela Cruz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dela Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Thomas, looking for a takedown. Dela Cruz pushes Thomas against the cage but Thomas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Cruz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thomas's waist but Thomas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dela Cruz off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Dela Cruz on that attempt.
Dela Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dela Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dela Cruz goes for a double leg but Thomas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thomas continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Dela Cruz is looking to escape.

Dela Cruz has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Thomas is on him like a limpet, forcing Dela Cruz back against the cage.

Dela Cruz has Thomas pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dela Cruz pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Thomas tumbling to the mat - Dela Cruz dives into Thomas's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thomas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dela Cruz defends it easily.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thomas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dela Cruz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dela Cruz wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Thomas keeping full guard, as Dela Cruz tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Dela Cruz controlling from the top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dela Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Thomas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dela Cruz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas counters with a thumping low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas slips a jab and a cross from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thomas swivels and escapes.
Juan Dela Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dela Cruz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thomas counters with a series of strikes. Dela Cruz will be more careful next time no doubt.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dela Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz goes for a double leg but Thomas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thomas continues to drive forward.

Thomas gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Dela Cruz regains guard.

Dela Cruz is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!

Thomas successfully pulls guard.
Dela Cruz won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Dela Cruz is looking to advance position but Thomas has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Thomas controlling from the full mount.
Thomas tries to control but Dela Cruz wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Juan Dela Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thomas trying to control but Dela Cruz is having none of it.
Dela Cruz tries to buck Thomas off but he can't manage it.
Thomas is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The referee warns Dela Cruz that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dela Cruz squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Thomas can't control as he wanted to and Dela Cruz manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Thomas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas wants to control but Dela Cruz is keeping him busy.

Dela Cruz has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Thomas is on him like a limpet, forcing Dela Cruz back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dela Cruz misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a two punch combo.
Dela Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Dela Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Dela Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thomas circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dela Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thomas moves away.
Dela Cruz goes for a double leg but Thomas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thomas continues to drive forward.

Thomas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dela Cruz uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.
Dela Cruz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thomas's guard.
Thomas controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Dela Cruz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thomas tries to roll over but Dela Cruz keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dela Cruz content to control rather than advance.

Dela Cruz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thomas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Thomas tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Dela Cruz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Juan Dela Cruz!
Juan Dela Cruz was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.