PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between SEAN SHERK (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and jerwin dela cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

SHERK
vs
dela cruz

170 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

183 cm
19
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, SEAN SHERK!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, jerwin dela cruz!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
SHERK shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with dela cruz but dela cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
SHERK steps to the side to avoid the strikes from dela cruz.
dela cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps SHERK's head backwards.
dela cruz is looking to clinch but SHERK is avoiding it.
SHERK wants to clinch

and dela cruz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by dela cruz.
dela cruz looking to sit in guard and control but SHERK gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

dela cruz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. SHERK defends it easily.
dela cruz working a defensive guard here.
dela cruz is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SHERK landing with the ground and pound.

SHERK drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and SHERK jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
dela cruz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
dela cruz looking to control.
SHERK looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

SHERK scores with a takedown into dela cruz's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dela cruz is trying to keep SHERK in close.
SHERK passes into half guard.
SHERK working dela cruz over with strikes.
dela cruz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. SHERK is working away from the top position though.
dela cruz wants to get back to his feet.
dela cruz is looking for a sweep. SHERK is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dela cruz looks gassed!
Well, if SHERK is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
SHERK tries to pass to full mount but dela cruz defends it.
dela cruz is looking for a sweep. SHERK is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
dela cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and SHERK counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in dela cruz's guard now.
SHERK tries to free his leg and advance position but dela cruz is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
dela cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.

dela cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and SHERK defends well.
dela cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
SHERK sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
dela cruz striking off his back but it's not causing SHERK any problems.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

SEAN SHERK dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

dela cruz circles away from the clinch attempt

and dela cruz counters with a shoot takedown. SHERK fights it but they end up in guard.
dela cruz wants to control from the top but SHERK keeps moving.
dela cruz stopping the sweep attempt from SHERK.
SHERK manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
dela cruz really wants to buck SHERK off and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dela cruz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
SHERK lands a big shot there that rocks dela cruz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
dela cruz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
dela cruz is squirming around, avoiding SHERK's attempts to control the action.
dela cruz tries to lock up and control but SHERK gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

SHERK moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, dela cruz has worked his arm free - good work by dela cruz!
dela cruz defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
dela cruz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
SHERK missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
dela cruz tries to get to full guard but SHERK has control of the leg.
dela cruz gets back to full guard.
dela cruz thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now dela cruz is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

dela cruz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and dela cruz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
dela cruz looking to sit in guard and control but SHERK gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
dela cruz wants to control the position but SHERK says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
SHERK is figuring out what he wants to do next.
dela cruz trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
SHERK lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
SHERK moves into full mount! dela cruz won't be happy about that!
dela cruz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
dela cruz is wriggling around trying to escape.
dela cruz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
SEAN SHERK overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
SHERK looking to finish dela cruz with some ground and pound. This is bad for dela cruz!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

jerwin dela cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

SHERK tries to clinch
and dela cruz counters with a nice low kick that buckles SHERK's knee momentarily.
dela cruz looks for a takedown but SHERK sprawls well.
dela cruz tries for a takedown but SHERK circles away easily

and SHERK counters with a takedown into side control.

SHERK has worked his way into a potential kimura here. dela cruz is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. SHERK yanks on the arm and dela cruz is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by SHERK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). SEAN SHERK!