PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hipolito Everett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateo De La Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mateo De La Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Everett
vs
De La Cruz

153 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hipolito Everett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mateo De La Cruz!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De La Cruz throws a quick inside leg kick.
De La Cruz connects with a leg kick. Everett looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
De La Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Everett tries to avoid it but De La Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Everett to the ground. Everett escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Everett tries to counter by moving into the clinch but De La Cruz manages to circle out of the way.
De La Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Everett but Everett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
De La Cruz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by De La Cruz.
Everett slaps away a takedown attempt from De La Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hipolito Everett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo De La Cruz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De La Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Everett is looking for a counter combo.

De La Cruz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De La Cruz controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Everett trying to control but De La Cruz postures up.
De La Cruz tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Everett.
De La Cruz trying to mount his opponent but Everett defends it.
Everett trying to hold on to De La Cruz's head to control him but De La Cruz postures up.

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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Everett wants to improve his position but De La Cruz is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Everett scores with a one two! De La Cruz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A nice inside leg kick there by De La Cruz. That's going to slow Everett down.
Everett leaves De La Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And Everett counters with a quick kick to the body but De La Cruz blocks it.
Nice uppercut there from De La Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Everett as De La Cruz shoots in.

De La Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Everett sprawls well initially but De La Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
De La Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Everett trying to control but De La Cruz postures up.
We've been informed that De La Cruz has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Everett tries to get to full guard but De La Cruz has control of the leg.
Everett trying to hold on to De La Cruz's head to control him but De La Cruz postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Everett tries to roll over but De La Cruz keeps him under control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. De La Cruz lands a nice short elbow.
De La Cruz tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Everett holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Everett won't allow De La Cruz to pass to mount.
Everett is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateo De La Cruz dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

De La Cruz moves into the clinch.
Everett prevents De La Cruz from breaking the clinch.
De La Cruz lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Hipolito Everett has been cut.
De La Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Everett has him pressed against the cage.
Everett tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. De La Cruz smiles and moves away.

Everett drives through and clinches with De La Cruz against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De La Cruz is trying to pull guard but Everett has him pressed against the cage.

De La Cruz successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Everett is looking to stand up but De La Cruz won't let him.
Everett has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Everett won't allow De La Cruz to get back to his feet.
De La Cruz is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
De La Cruz controls Everett momentarily but Everett frees himself.
De La Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

De La Cruz is looking to take a break and control but Everett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Everett knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for De La Cruz on the ground.
De La Cruz wants to pass to mount but Everett is defending the position.

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.
Everett holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Mateo De La Cruz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Everett is trying to get back to full guard.
Everett is concentrating on defense, preventing De La Cruz from advancing position.
Everett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Everett trying to control here.
De La Cruz prevents Everett from improving his position.
De La Cruz is controlling the pace.
De La Cruz is continuing to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
Mateo De La Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De La Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Everett shows good takedown defense.
De La Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hipolito Everett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo De La Cruz.
Everett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but De La Cruz defends well and Everett ends up having to push De La Cruz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
De La Cruz replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Everett blocks it well.
De La Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Everett is looking to counter with a body kick.
De La Cruz lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Everett feinted there with a counter leg kick.
De La Cruz darts in looking for a takedown but Everett gets double underhooks and turns De La Cruz into the cage.
Everett is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from De La Cruz.
De La Cruz is breathing heavily.
De La Cruz shoots in but Everett avoids the takedown attempt easily.
De La Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De La Cruz throws out a loose jab but Everett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
De La Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Everett is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from De La Cruz.
Hipolito Everett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from De La Cruz does no damage.
Everett tries to counter by clinching up but De La Cruz breaks away and moves out of range.
De La Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Everett is fending him off so far but De La Cruz persists. Nope, Everett circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateo De La Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hipolito Everett's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Everett shoots in for a takedown but De La Cruz shows good takedown defense.
De La Cruz wants to break free but Everett has control.

De La Cruz manages to break the clinch.
De La Cruz misses with a double jab.
De La Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Everett wants to clinch but De La Cruz slips to the side
and De La Cruz counters with a series of strikes. Everett will be more careful next time no doubt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De La Cruz is defended easily by Everett.
Everett jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
De La Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De La Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Everett swivels and escapes.
Everett seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
De La Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De La Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
De La Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Cruz misses with a double jab

and Everett counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Everett.
De La Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Everett is one step ahead there.
De La Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Everett would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Everett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Everett connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
De La Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Everett's guard.

Everett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De La Cruz wants to stand but Everett has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Everett looking to control.
De La Cruz wants to control from the top but Everett keeps moving.

Everett working for a triangle but De La Cruz defends it easily.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Everett wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Everett is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

De La Cruz closes the distance and clinches.
Everett tries a body shot but De La Cruz blocks it.
De La Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Everett won't allow it.
De La Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Everett breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Everett takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
De La Cruz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Everett's sensitive parts.
De La Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Everett is fending him off so far but De La Cruz persists. Nope, Everett circles away and we're back to standing.
Hipolito Everett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo De La Cruz.

Everett gets the takedown into side control.

Everett goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, De La Cruz has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Everett but great work by De La Cruz.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Everett is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Everett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mateo De La Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well De La Cruz has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateo De La Cruz!