PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vann Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dela Cruz
vs
Knight

182 cm
33
218 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

185 cm
34
184 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps
Victory Fight Wear

Irish Collar & Elbow Nutrition and Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mauricio Dela Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vann Knight!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knight displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dela Cruz.
Knight has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Dela Cruz is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Knight as Dela Cruz shoots in.
And Knight responds with a good body kick, but Dela Cruz manages to step out the way in time.
Knight stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Knight sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Knight scores with a nice head shot.

Dela Cruz shoots in and bounces Knight off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.
Dela Cruz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knight's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dela Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knight is keeping the position for now.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dela Cruz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Knight pulls Dela Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
Knight looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dela Cruz is one step ahead there.
Dela Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knight is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dela Cruz is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Knight preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dela Cruz throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knight working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dela Cruz stops Knight from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Knight connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dela Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Knight counters with a stiff right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Knight.
Dela Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Knight manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dela Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dela Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Knight shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Dela Cruz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Dela Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.
Dela Cruz sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Dela Cruz is nestled in close to Knight, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Knight blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dela Cruz.
Knight pushes Dela Cruz off looking to stand but Dela Cruz dives back in and keeps control.
Dela Cruz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Knight wants to improve his position but Dela Cruz is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.
Knight wants to get back to full guard.
Dela Cruz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dela Cruz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dela Cruz wants to control but Knight is keeping him busy.

Knight kicks Dela Cruz off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knight connects with a leg kick. Dela Cruz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Knight lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vann Knight dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Knight missing with a left hand there. Dela Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dela Cruz feinted with a counter takedown.
Knight lands a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Knight. No joy for Dela Cruz on that attempt.
Knight leaves Dela Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dela Cruz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dela Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Knight sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knight feints a counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Cruz throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Knight counter with a right hand.
Knight has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dela Cruz checks a leg kick.
Knight swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dela Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Knight, which made it look bad.
Knight jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Knight.
Knight misses with a head kick.
Dela Cruz dives in and grabs Knight's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knight pushes down on Dela Cruz's head and hops out.
Knight slaps away a takedown attempt from Dela Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dela Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knight is fending him off so far but Dela Cruz persists. Nope, Knight circles away and we're back to standing.
Dela Cruz looks for a takedown but Knight sprawls well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dela Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Knight, which made it look bad.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Knight shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Knight connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dela Cruz misses with a takedown
and Knight counters with a nice uppercut.
Dela Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Knight counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Dela Cruz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dela Cruz lands in his opponent's guard.

Knight manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Knight as he avoids it easily.
No luck for Dela Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Vann Knight seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dela Cruz with a poor takedown
and Knight counters with a nice low kick that buckles Dela Cruz's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Knight but Knight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've been told by Dela Cruz's head coaches at Netherlands Top Team & KT that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Dela Cruz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Knight. Knight obviously looking to wear him down.
Dela Cruz with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Knight counter with a right hand.
Vann Knight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dela Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dela Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Knight makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Knight. That snapped Dela Cruz's head back.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Knight sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Knight scores with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Knight as Dela Cruz shoots in.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Knight! But no joy.
No luck for Dela Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Knight's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Dela Cruz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Dela Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Knight manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dela Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dela Cruz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Donk. Knight catches Dela Cruz right on the button with a cross.
Knight lands a glancing blow to the side of Dela Cruz's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dela Cruz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Knight listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dela Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Knight, which made it look bad.
Knight connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice takedown defense from Knight. No joy for Dela Cruz on that attempt.
Dela Cruz walks into a left hand.
Knight swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dela Cruz.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dela Cruz is defended easily by Knight.
Dela Cruz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vann Knight 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! This is the final round!

Knight connects with a right hand. Dela Cruz shakes it off.
Dela Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Knight to counter with a crisp jab.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Knight but Knight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mauricio Dela Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight jabs Dela Cruz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Knight shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Dela Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Knight darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Knight throws a low kick but it's checked well by Dela Cruz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dela Cruz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice takedown defense from Knight. No joy for Dela Cruz on that attempt.
Dela Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dela Cruz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Dela Cruz checks a low kick from Knight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dela Cruz walks into a left hand.
Dela Cruz shoots and misses
and Knight counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Knight slaps away a takedown attempt from Dela Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knight cracks the inside of Dela Cruz's front leg.
A good leg kick by Knight.
Dela Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Knight counters with a thumping low kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Knight.
Knight misses with a low kick.
Knight throws the left hand but Dela Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Dela Cruz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Knight connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dela Cruz dives in and grabs Knight's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knight pushes down on Dela Cruz's head and hops out.
A clash of legs there as Dela Cruz blocks the low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dela Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Knight to counter with a crisp jab.
Dela Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Knight swivels and escapes.
Knight buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dela Cruz fails with the takedown
and Knight counters with a low kick, right behind Dela Cruz 's knee.
Knight cracks the inside of Dela Cruz's front leg.
Dela Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knight sprawls well. Knight wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dela Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Knight.
A jab from Knight finds it's way through Dela Cruz's defenses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dela Cruz.
A chopping leg kick lands by Knight.

Dela Cruz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Knight pushes Dela Cruz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dela Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Knight lands.
Crunch! Knight slams his shin into Dela Cruz's torso.
Knight cracks Dela Cruz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Knight attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Knight fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Dela Cruz is out of range.

Dela Cruz shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Knight trying to hold on to Dela Cruz's head to control him but Dela Cruz postures up.
Knight is refusing to be controlled, as Dela Cruz sits in half guard.
Mauricio Dela Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dela Cruz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vann Knight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Knight winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vann Knight!
After the fight, Vann Knight was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.