PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alikai Drustav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel de la Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alikai Drustav could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Joel de la Cruz's chin.

Drustav
vs
de la Cruz

192 cm
22
188 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
19
203 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alikai Drustav!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joel de la Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drustav works the jab nicely.
Nice jab there from Drustav.
de la Cruz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Joel de la Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
de la Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drustav as he avoids it easily.
de la Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Drustav tries to clinch but de la Cruz is having none of it.
de la Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
de la Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drustav as he avoids it easily.
Alikai Drustav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel de la Cruz.
Drustav tried to score with a low kick but de la Cruz checks it.
de la Cruz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Drustav fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches de la Cruz on the side of the head.
Drustav wants to clinch.
de la Cruz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from de la Cruz there as he acknowledges the shot.
No joy there for Drustav, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Drustav connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Drustav paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
de la Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Drustav.
Drustav is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

de la Cruz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Drustav looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

de la Cruz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Drustav has escaped the position, nice work there.
Drustav tries to escape but de la Cruz is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drustav trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

de la Cruz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Drustav has escaped the position, nice work there.

de la Cruz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Drustav has escaped the position, nice work there.
Drustav knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for de la Cruz on the ground.
de la Cruz looks gassed!
Drustav is not content to let de la Cruz control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Drustav is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but de la Cruz has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Drustav on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Drustav tries to get out of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Drustav stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Drustav wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Drustav as de la Cruz shoots in.
Drustav bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of de la Cruz's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Drustav looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drustav slaps away a takedown attempt from de la Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
de la Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Drustav lands with a nice combination. de la Cruz backs away looking to recover.
de la Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Danga de danga de dang - Drustav scores with a four punch combination!
Drustav leaves de la Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
de la Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Drustav shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Drustav there.
Drustav walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. de la Cruz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Drustav drives through and clinches with de la Cruz against the cage.
Drustav wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drustav gets through de la Cruz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Drustav lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Drustav tries to break the clinch but de la Cruz is controlling the position.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drustav gets underhooks to prevent de la Cruz's takedown attempt.
Drustav doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

de la Cruz gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
de la Cruz stops Drustav from getting back to his feet.
de la Cruz trying to control the action but Drustav is working from the bottom.
Drustav is trying to stand back up but de la Cruz is controlling him
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
de la Cruz is pressing down on Drustav's thigh, looking to free his foot. Drustav is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
de la Cruz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alikai Drustav dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

de la Cruz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Drustav is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

de la Cruz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Drustav knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
de la Cruz trying to control the action but Drustav is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drustav pushes de la Cruz away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, de la Cruz gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Drustav is not content to let de la Cruz control the position.
Drustav is trying to buck de la Cruz off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
de la Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drustav keeps working.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Drustav displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from de la Cruz.
Drustav lands with a good body shot.
Drustav moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
de la Cruz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Drustav clinches up with de la Cruz and pushes him back against the cage.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but de la Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Drustav can't break the clinch.
Drustav lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
de la Cruz prevents Drustav from breaking the clinch.
Drustav is looking to break free of the clinch but de la Cruz has double underhooks.
Drustav looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but de la Cruz is controlling him.
Drustav misses with a punch on the inside.

de la Cruz has picked Drustav up - he's going for a ride! de la Cruz dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

de la Cruz seems to be working for a kimura but Drustav defends the submission attempt.
de la Cruz stops Drustav from getting back to his feet.
Drustav scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but de la Cruz manages to mount him!
Drustav is squirming around, avoiding de la Cruz's attempts to control the action.
de la Cruz wants to take Drustav's back here but Drustav is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

de la Cruz is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Drustav has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Drustav is trying to stand up.

de la Cruz has hold of Drustav's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Drustav manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Drustav wants to get back to his feet.
Drustav is trying to stand but he's just given de la Cruz his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel de la Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Drustav tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
de la Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
de la Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice takedown defense from Drustav. No joy for de la Cruz on that attempt.
de la Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
de la Cruz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

de la Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Drustav sprawls well initially but de la Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Drustav looks like he's trying to stand up.

de la Cruz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Drustav defends it well.
Drustav pushes de la Cruz off looking to stand but de la Cruz dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

de la Cruz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Drustav is just riding it out for now. de la Cruz eventually gives up the hold.
Drustav is trying to stand up here but de la Cruz is controlling him well.
de la Cruz trying to control the action but Drustav is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Drustav as de la Cruz shoots in.
Alikai Drustav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel de la Cruz.
de la 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.
Drustav throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Drustav is looking to land body kicks.
Drustav scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two 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.
de la Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Drustav connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drustav scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
de la Cruz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Drustav displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from de la Cruz.
de la Cruz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Drustav lands a body shot.
A punch lands to the side of de la Cruz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Drustav smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Drustav takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Drustav takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Drustav throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
de la Cruz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Drustav throws a head kick but de la Cruz moves out of range.
Drustav fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drustav fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drustav clobbers de la Cruz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good exchange - Drustav coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
de la Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drustav circles away.
de la Cruz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
de la Cruz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Drustav tests de la Cruz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Drustav moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Drustav misses with a head kick.
Drustav tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice cross by Drustav.
Drustav scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Drustav throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
de la Cruz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
de la Cruz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
de la Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Drustav connects with a jab.
Drustav misses with a body kick.
de la Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Drustav.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Drustav.
de la Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Drustav sprawls well. He's pushed de la Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
de la 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
de la Cruz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from de la Cruz there as he acknowledges the shot.
Drustav scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
de la Cruz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Alikai Drustav is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Drustav darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab lands there for Drustav.
A nice combination there by Drustav.
No luck with that takedown attempt from de la Cruz.
A punch lands to the side of de la Cruz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Drustav misses with a series of wild punches.
de la Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Drustav scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Drustav bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of de la Cruz's head.
Drustav scores with a punch to the head.

Drustav gets a clinch.
Drustav makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alikai Drustav showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Drustav has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alikai Drustav!