PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joel de la Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samsara Sovzyeski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Samsara Sovzyeski was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

de la Cruz
vs
Sovzyeski

187 cm
20
196 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

187 cm
20
202 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joel de la Cruz!
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, Samsara Sovzyeski!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
de la Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Sovzyeski sprawls well. He's pushed de la Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sovzyeski throws a lazy right hand but de la Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
de la Cruz shoots for a takedown but Sovzyeski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sovzyeski leaves de la Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel de la Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from Sovzyeski both land. Nice combination.
Sovzyeski cracks de la Cruz with an open hand slap.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sovzyeski.

It looks like Joel de la Cruz has been cut.
Nice cross by Sovzyeski.
Samsara Sovzyeski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Sovzyeski misses.
Sovzyeski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract de la Cruz.
Sovzyeski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract de la Cruz.
Sovzyeski tries to clinch up but de la Cruz circles away and keeps his distance.
Sovzyeski jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

de la Cruz feints and as Sovzyeski raises his hands in defense, de la Cruz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
de la Cruz stops Sovzyeski from standing up.
de la Cruz wants to control from the top but Sovzyeski keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sovzyeski pushes de la Cruz off and gets back to his feet.

de la Cruz scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Sovzyeski makes his way to full guard, as de la Cruz worked for a kimura.
Sovzyeski is looking to stand up but de la Cruz isn't so interested in that idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sovzyeski can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sovzyeski keeping moving, preventing de la Cruz from controlling successfully.
de la Cruz wants to pass the guard but Sovzyeski is keeping the position.
de la Cruz wants to control from the top but Sovzyeski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
de la Cruz looking to pass the guard.

Joel de la Cruz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sovzyeski throws a big shot that misses.
de la Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sovzyeski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten de la Cruz somewhat.
Sovzyeski cracks de la Cruz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sovzyeski throws a big shot that misses.

That's four 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.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sovzyeski!
de la Cruz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice uppercut there from Sovzyeski.
de la Cruz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
de la Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Sovzyeski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sovzyeski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
de la Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sovzyeski pinned against the cage. Sovzyeski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
de la Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice sprawl there from Sovzyeski as de la Cruz shoots in.
Sovzyeski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Samsara Sovzyeski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sovzyeski swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by de la Cruz.
Sovzyeski misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samsara Sovzyeski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joel de la Cruz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

de la Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
de la Cruz dives in and grabs Sovzyeski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sovzyeski pushes down on de la Cruz's head and hops out.
Sovzyeski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Donk. de la Cruz catches Sovzyeski right on the button with a cross.
Sovzyeski misses with an uppercut. de la Cruz saw that one coming.
Sovzyeski cracks de la Cruz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Joel de la Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
de la Cruz blocks a jab.
Sovzyeski throws a series of punches but de la Cruz avoids them all with ease.
de la Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sovzyeski's corner calls for a 1-2. Sovzyeski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Sovzyeski misses the target.
de la Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sovzyeski as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel de la Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
de la Cruz tries to move into range but Sovzyeski moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
de la Cruz slips under a jab.
de la Cruz fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sovzyeski scores with a crisp jab that stopped de la Cruz in his tracks.
Sovzyeski clobbers de la Cruz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sovzyeski misses with a straight right.
de la Cruz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sovzyeski throws a series of punches but de la Cruz moves out of range.
de la Cruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sovzyeski misses with an uppercut.
A left and a right from Sovzyeski both land. Nice combination.
Sovzyeski's corner calls for a 1-2. Sovzyeski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sovzyeski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sovzyeski looks to throw the jab but de la Cruz is out of range.
de la Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Sovzyeski.
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!
Sovzyeski misses with a straight right.
Sovzyeski works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sovzyeski scores with a one two! de la Cruz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sovzyeski throws a jab when de la Cruz was well out of range.
Sovzyeski misses with a straight right.
Sovzyeski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sovzyeski lands the left hand.

de la Cruz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sovzyeski keeping moving, preventing de la Cruz from controlling successfully.

de la Cruz drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sovzyeski looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sovzyeski looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sovzyeski!
de la Cruz is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sovzyeski stands up.

That's four 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.
A lazy left from Sovzyeski finds it's target.
de la Cruz shoots in but Sovzyeski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sovzyeski might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
de la Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Sovzyeski connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
de la Cruz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
de la Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sovzyeski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sovzyeski tries to close the distance and clinch up but de la Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samsara Sovzyeski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joel de la Cruz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sovzyeski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sovzyeski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by de la Cruz.
de la Cruz shoots in but Sovzyeski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
de la Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sovzyeski scores with a body shot.
Sovzyeski leaves de la Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel de la Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sovzyeski lands a jab.
de la Cruz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Sovzyeski counter with a right hand.
Sovzyeski with a hook.
Sovzyeski lands a jab.
Sovzyeski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
de la Cruz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sovzyeski throws a jab but it's blocked by de la Cruz.
Sovzyeski moves in looking to clinch but de la Cruz pushes him off.
de la Cruz lands with a straight right. Sovzyeski didn't see that one coming.
Sovzyeski dips to his left and cracks de la Cruz with an uppercut!
Nice jab there from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski throws a right and a left that de la Cruz avoids nicely.
de la Cruz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sovzyeski misses with a wild combination.
Sovzyeski misses with a hook.
de la Cruz fails with the takedown

and Sovzyeski holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
de la Cruz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sovzyeski walks away with a smile on his face. de la Cruz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Sovzyeski clinches.
de la Cruz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sovzyeski scores with an uppercut up the middle.
de la Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
de la Cruz fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sovzyeski lands a shoulder strike.
Sovzyeski gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from de la Cruz.
Sovzyeski lands with a right to the head.
de la Cruz has Sovzyeski pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sovzyeski manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
de la Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sovzyeski lands with a light punch inside.
de la Cruz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sovzyeski holding his opponent close, against the cage.
de la Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sovzyeski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
de la Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short right from Sovzyeski on the inside.
Sovzyeski throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sovzyeski lands a right hand.
The referee calls for Sovzyeski to work.
Sovzyeski makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sovzyeski lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sovzyeski lands a shoulder strike.
Sovzyeski lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sovzyeski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sovzyeski lands with a right to the head.
Sovzyeski scores with an uppercut up the middle.
de la Cruz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sovzyeski smiles and moves away.
Sovzyeski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck de la Cruz on the side of the head.
de la Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
de la Cruz slips under a jab from Sovzyeski.
Samsara Sovzyeski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sovzyeski. de la Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
de la Cruz has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sovzyeski finds it's way round the side to connect with de la Cruz's head.
de la Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Donk. Sovzyeski catches de la Cruz right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
de la Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sovzyeski counters with a straight right hand.
Sovzyeski scores with a hook.
A jab lands there for Sovzyeski.

Sovzyeski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with de la Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sovzyeski creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
de la Cruz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
de la Cruz jumps guard but Sovzyeski stands there with de la Cruz around his waist. de la Cruz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Sovzyeski.
Sovzyeski throws a head punch that misses.
Good body shot from Sovzyeski.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sovzyeski scores with a hook to the body.
Sovzyeski scores with an uppercut up the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sovzyeski stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Still in the clinch, Sovzyeski scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sovzyeski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Joel de la Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samsara Sovzyeski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sovzyeski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sovzyeski lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samsara Sovzyeski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sovzyeski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samsara Sovzyeski!