PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ronaldo Souza (ranked 23596 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 6208 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Souza
vs
Cruz

185 cm
20
185 lbs
5 - 13 - 1

190 cm
20
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronaldo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Cruz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Cruz decides to stand up, so the ref orders Souza to his feet.

Cruz looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Souza!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza is trying to control Cruz's posture but Cruz avoids it.
Souza on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Souza tries to get out of the position.
Cruz looks up at the clock and then as Souza takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cruz smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Cruz taking a breather here.

Cruz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cruz in side control lands a decent elbow.
Souza is trying to escape the position but Cruz is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Cruz looking to control and managing it successfully.
Let's hope that Cruz has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Cruz working for a submission but Souza is keeping him at bay.
Souza tries to improve his position but instead Cruz has taken his back!

Cruz has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Souza! Can he survive? No! He's out! Cruz gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ricardo Cruz!