PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darian Cruz (ranked 1590 p4p, 1741 weight class) and Delbert Mazzariello (ranked 220 p4p, 240 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cruz
vs
Mazzariello

173 cm
40
146
6 - 6 - 0

180 cm
30
160
17 - 14 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads
Furnace Performance 🔥

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 6 - 6 - 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 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Delbert Mazzariello!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ron Honeybunn and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mazzariello throws a shot to the body.
Cruz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mazzariello misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Cruz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mazzariello manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mazzariello can't keep his opponent in guard - Cruz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mazzariello manages to get to full guard.

Mazzariello is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.

Mazzariello working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz trying to control but Mazzariello is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzariello looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
Cruz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Cruz trying to control but Mazzariello is working from the bottom.
Mazzariello tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Cruz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cruz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mazzariello keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz is really struggling to control Mazzariello but he's trying to hold on to the position.

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

Cruz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mazzariello can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Mazzariello keeps moving.
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 drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mazzariello dives on top into guard.

Cruz looking to control but Mazzariello passes into half guard.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mazzariello.

Cruz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mazzariello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello wants to free his trapped foot but Cruz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cruz wants to control but Mazzariello is keeping busy.
We've been informed that Mazzariello has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Cruz looking for submissions off his back.
Mazzariello thows a huge punch but Cruz dodges it nicely.
Mazzariello throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mazzariello with the ground and pound but Cruz uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mazzariello missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mazzariello pushing down on Cruz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruz wants to control the action here but instead Mazzariello manages to pass to full mount!
Cruz is working to get back to half guard.
Cruz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz won't allow Mazzariello to sweep him here.
Cruz trying to control but Mazzariello is working from the bottom.
Cruz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Delbert Mazzariello dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A clash of legs there as Cruz blocks the low kick.
Darian Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz drops his hands momentarily and Mazzariello takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mazzariello stuffs the takedown.
Mazzariello has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mazzariello leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Mazzariello sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mazzariello pinned against the cage. Mazzariello gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mazzariello throws out a counter right but Cruz avoids it with no problem.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Mazzariello shows good takedown defense.
Mazzariello bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cruz's head backwards.
Mazzariello tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mazzariello as he jumps to the side.
Cruz fails with the takedown
and Mazzariello cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Mazzariello shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cruz shoots and misses
and Mazzariello counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mazzariello lands a nice hook to Cruz's body. Cruz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mazzariello enables Cruz to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mazzariello manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Mazzariello has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.
Mazzariello tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mazzariello is trying to control the position but Cruz postures up.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mazzariello swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz trying to control but Mazzariello is working from the bottom.
Cruz looking to sit in guard and control but Mazzariello gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mazzariello passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Cruz defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz is trying to get back to half guard.
Cruz manages to get back to half guard.
Mazzariello is keen to just control but Cruz is a slippery customer.
Mazzariello slips a nice elbow through Cruz's hands, connecting with Cruz's forehead.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Mazzariello works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Mazzariello is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.
Mazzariello working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Cruz has his foot on Mazzariello's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mazzariello works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mazzariello's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mazzariello throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mazzariello preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mazzariello wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
Mazzariello trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mazzariello wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Mazzariello tries to free his leg and advance position but Cruz is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mazzariello keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz fails with the takedown
and Mazzariello counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Delbert Mazzariello showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mazzariello is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cruz with a body shot.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Mazzariello sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mazzariello steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cruz.
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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz with a poor takedown
letting Mazzariello counter with a right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Mazzariello there.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Mazzariello throws a leg kick that misses.
Mazzariello works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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 looks for a takedown but Mazzariello sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mazzariello avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mazzariello is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mazzariello misses with a low kick.
Mazzariello misses the shot to the body.
Mazzariello connects with a single shot there.
Mazzariello fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Cruz looking to score a takedown here. Mazzariello is defending well but Cruz drives through and ends up in Mazzariello's guard.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mazzariello trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mazzariello puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Delbert Mazzariello has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cruz is looking to improve his position.
Mazzariello wants to control but Cruz is keeping him busy.
Mazzariello slips a nice elbow through Cruz's hands, connecting with Cruz's forehead.
Cruz moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mazzariello accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Mazzariello avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mazzariello looking to pass the guard.
Mazzariello forces his way into half guard.
Delbert Mazzariello is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mazzariello perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mazzariello seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mazzariello stalling.
Mazzariello is thwarting Cruz's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mazzariello performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Delbert Mazzariello comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mazzariello has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Delbert Mazzariello!
A relieved looking Delbert Mazzariello thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.