PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sylvester Moon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sylvester Moon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Moon
vs
Dela Cruz

159 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sylvester Moon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Dela Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Moon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dela Cruz quickly recovers to half guard.
Moon throws a strike but Dela Cruz avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Moon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Moon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Moon stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Dela Cruz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Moon's guard.

Moon 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.
Dela Cruz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dela Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Moon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dela Cruz stands and throws Moon's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Dela Cruz stands up and beckons Moon to his feet.
Moon could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Dela Cruz misses with a double jab

and Moon moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Moon manages to pull guard.
Moon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dela Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Moon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moon 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.

Moon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dela Cruz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dela Cruz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dela Cruz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Moon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Dela Cruz, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moon postures up in Dela Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Dela Cruz blocks it.
Dela Cruz trying to control the position.
Dela Cruz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Moon stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Dela Cruz clinches up with Moon and pushes him back against the cage.

Moon jumps into guard, dragging Dela Cruz to the mat.
Dela Cruz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Moon keeping moving, preventing Dela Cruz from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Dela Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Moon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Dela Cruz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Moon, up you get!

Moon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Moon is looking for a kimura here.
Dela Cruz controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is trying to stand.

Moon is looking for a kimura here.
Dela Cruz tries to kick Moon off but Moon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Dela Cruz tries to roll over but Moon keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dela Cruz is trying to stand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvester Moon dominated that round.
That's time! Moon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Moon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dela Cruz sprawls well initially but Moon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Moon is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Moon sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dela Cruz defending well though.

Moon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dela Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Moon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Moon wants to work for an arm triangle but Dela Cruz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Moon looking for a submission but Dela Cruz manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Moon is controlling him.

Dela Cruz is working an open guard so Moon takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dela Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Moon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Moon seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Juan Dela Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Dela Cruz moves into the clinch.
Dela Cruz wants to stall.

Dela Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Moon scores with a takedown into Dela Cruz's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moon drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dela Cruz dives on top into guard.

Dela Cruz lands a couple of digs.
Moon will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Dela Cruz scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dela Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Moon.

Dela Cruz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dela Cruz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dela Cruz misses with a knee to the head.
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!

Moon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dela Cruz tries to work over Moon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Moon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dela Cruz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Moon shoots in and bounces Dela Cruz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Dela Cruz is wriggling around but Moon manages to pass to half guard.

Moon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dela Cruz sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Moon.
Dela Cruz is trying is best to control the position here.
Moon is thwarting Dela Cruz's attempts to control the position.
Moon working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Dela Cruz's thigh. Dela Cruz counters though and makes it back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Moon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dela Cruz has momentary wrist control but Moon slips an elbow through the middle.

Moon has gone for a leg lock! Dela Cruz slips out almost immediately though and dives into Moon's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Juan Dela Cruz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dela Cruz rushes Moon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dela Cruz tries to stall but Moon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dela Cruz has Moon pressed against the cage, preventing Moon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dela Cruz can't find room to land a body shot as Moon controls the action.
Dela Cruz lands a knee to the body.
Dela Cruz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Sylvester Moon has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dela Cruz is trying to maintain a safe position but Moon gets an underhook and turns Dela Cruz into the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Dela Cruz lands an uppercut.

Moon ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Moon no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sylvester Moon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dela Cruz trying to control but Moon is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dela Cruz stands up from guard. Let's bang!

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 is trying to control. Moon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dela Cruz stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Dela Cruz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dela Cruz tries to stall but Moon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dela Cruz tries to stall but Moon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Moon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dela Cruz backwards.
A short body shot lands from Dela Cruz as the two fighters clinch.
Dela Cruz scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Dela Cruz as the two fighters clinch.
Moon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Dela Cruz just leaning against Moon, taking a breather.

Moon jumps guard and drags Dela Cruz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
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 trying to control but Moon is working from the bottom.

Dela Cruz stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Moon gets tackled into the cage by Dela Cruz. Dela Cruz maintains the clinch.
Dela Cruz tries to work over Moon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dela Cruz is working Moon over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Cruz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dela Cruz lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Moon.

Dela Cruz breaks from the clinch.
Dela Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dela Cruz cracks Moon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Moon avoids a punch combination nicely.

Dela Cruz has closed the distance and engaged Moon in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Dela Cruz.
Moon working hard to break the clinch.
Juan Dela Cruz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dela Cruz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Dela Cruz misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Moon decides to pull guard.
Dela Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dela Cruz decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dela Cruz's corner calls for a 1-2. Dela Cruz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dela Cruz scores with a three punch combo!
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!

Moon closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Moon decides to stand back up. Moon steps back and let's Dela Cruz get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Dela Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dela Cruz 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Dela Cruz!