PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darian Cruz (ranked 20205 p4p, 1646 weight class) and Delbert Mazzariello (ranked 489 p4p, 221 weight class). Delbert Mazzariello is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cruz
vs
Mazzariello

173 cm
38
146
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
28
160
13 - 11 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Fantasy Threads

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darian Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Delbert Mazzariello!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Mazzariello. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Mazzariello tries to score with a low kick but Cruz moves his leg out of the way.
Mazzariello throws a body shot but no joy.
Mazzariello ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Cruz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Mazzariello lands the left hand.

Mazzariello darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
Mazzariello lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Cruz is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mazzariello after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mazzariello keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mazzariello lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mazzariello gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cruz goes for a takedown attempt but Mazzariello pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Mazzariello.
Mazzariello goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Mazzariello tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mazzariello manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Mazzariello as Cruz shoots in.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Mazzariello manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Mazzariello sprawls well.
Mazzariello scores with a body shot.
Mazzariello works over Cruz's head and body with a nice combination.
Mazzariello lands a head shot.
Cruz has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mazzariello finds it's way round the side to connect with Cruz's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mazzariello defends it nicely.
Cruz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Mazzariello sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mazzariello lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cruz circles away quickly and effectively.
Cruz with a poor takedown
and Mazzariello connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cruz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mazzariello sprawls well. Mazzariello wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
Cruz dodges the punch combination from Mazzariello.
Nice sprawl there from Mazzariello as Cruz shoots in.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Mazzariello sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello thuds a left hand into Cruz's body.
Mazzariello rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cruz seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Mazzariello moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Cruz attempts a counter takedown but Mazzariello avoids it well and moves away.

Mazzariello pushes Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Mazzariello sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
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!
Mazzariello moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mazzariello with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Mazzariello, which made it look bad.
Mazzariello scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Delbert Mazzariello dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Mazzariello sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mazzariello lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've been informed that Mazzariello has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mazzariello but Mazzariello pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mazzariello takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Mazzariello throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mazzariello stuffs the takedown.
Mazzariello tries a quick counter leg kick but Cruz is wise to it.
Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Mazzariello to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Mazzariello counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Mazzariello moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzariello blocks an uppercut.
Mazzariello lands with a right to the head.
Cruz fails to pull guard.
Cruz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mazzariello stalling in the clinch.
Cruz can't get the takedown.

Mazzariello has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Cruz clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Cruz tries to escape but Mazzariello has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mazzariello controlling the position well here. Cruz rolled but Mazzariello kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Mazzariello.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cruz is trying to defend against the choke here but Mazzariello has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Mazzariello Tightens the hold and Cruz taps out furiously! Mazzariello displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Delbert Mazzariello!
Delbert Mazzariello decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.