PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dillion Danis (ranked 2543 p4p, 293 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 1497 p4p, 196 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ricardo Cruz was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Danis
vs
Cruz

186 cm
21
200 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
198 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Dillion Danis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz dives in and scores a takedown into Danis's guard.
Cruz told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Danis keeps moving.
Danis being controlled here, momentarily.
Danis keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cruz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cruz trying to control but Danis is working from the bottom.
Cruz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control but Danis is working from the bottom.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Danis is keeping the position for now.
Cruz trying to control but Danis is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dillion Danis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Danis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Cruz has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Danis has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

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

Danis looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Danis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Danis seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Danis is looking for a triangle but Cruz pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cruz trying to control but Danis is working from the bottom.
Cruz stands and throws Danis's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Cruz tries for a kimura but Danis is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danis is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Danis's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Cruz tries for a kimura but Danis is defending well.

Cruz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Danis, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz has an Americana. Danis didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Cruz is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Cruz hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Ricardo Cruz!
Dillion Danis spoke after the fight, saying 'You got lucky punk! A rematch is in order!'.