PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darian Cruz (ranked 1636 p4p, 1542 weight class) and Ruddo Ryokale (ranked 218 p4p, 209 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cruz
vs
Ryokale

173 cm
39
146
5 - 5 - 0

160 cm
33
140
24 - 26 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Furnace Performance 🔥
Fantasy Threads

30th Century Beer Store
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 5 - 5 - 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 24 - 26 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ruddo Ryokale!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ryokale closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cruz's guard.

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ryokale stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
Ryokale tries to free his leg and advance position but Cruz is retaining full guard.
Ryokale postures up.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ryokale trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Ryokale loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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.

Cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ryokale defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryokale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Cruz working for a triangle but Ryokale defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ryokale is one step ahead there.
Ryokale trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ryokale stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cruz trying to mount his opponent but Ryokale defends it.
Ryokale is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is looking for a kimura here.
Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ryokale does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Cruz is trying to work for a kimura but Ryokale is defending well.
Ryokale makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ryokale.

Ryokale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cruz stays in close to Ryokale's body and controls the position.

Cruz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cruz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz postures up.
Cruz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ryokale is staying active underneath Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Cruz is working for a submission of some sort.
Ryokale is staying active underneath Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Cruz is working for a kimura but Ryokale is defending it quite comfortably.
Ryokale tries to get to full guard but Cruz has control of the leg.

Ryokale is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ryokale is just riding it out for now. Cruz eventually gives up the hold.

Cruz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ryokale has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryokale manages to get to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ryokale keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darian Cruz dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cruz wants to take a breather but Ryokale is having none of it.

Cruz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Cruz wants to work for an arm triangle but Ryokale is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ryokale moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Cruz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ryokale keeps moving.

Ryokale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryokale working a defensive guard here.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ryokale keeps moving.
Ryokale is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Ryokale is keeping the position.
Ryokale working a defensive guard here.

Cruz drops back looking for a leg! Ryokale is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ryokale manages to kick Cruz off! Cruz jumps back into Ryokale's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ryokale is controlling Cruz's posture.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ryokale keeps moving.

Ryokale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cruz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ryokale looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Ryokale gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cruz to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cruz controlling from the top position.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ryokale keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryokale trying to control the position.
Ryokale keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.

Ryokale is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.
Ryokale is breathing heavily.
Cruz pushing down on Ryokale's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ryokale is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Ryokale tries to roll over but Cruz keeps him under control.

Ryokale is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Cruz is looking for a kimura here.
Cruz is taking a breather. Ryokale says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Cruz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ryokale doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cruz.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cruz is trying for a kimura here. Ryokale looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Cruz wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Darian Cruz!
Darian Cruz seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.