PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Vukojevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neftali De La Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Aleksandar Vukojevic has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Vukojevic
vs
De La Cruz

188 cm
23
227 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

193 cm
20
250 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great low kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandar Vukojevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Neftali De La Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vukojevic tries to close the distance and clinch but De La Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Neftali De La Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vukojevic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

De La Cruz looking to score a takedown here. Vukojevic is defending well but De La Cruz drives through and ends up in Vukojevic's guard.
De La Cruz pushes down on Vukojevic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
De La Cruz is controlling the pace.
It looks like De La Cruz might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Cruz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
De La Cruz is controlling the pace.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vukojevic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for De La Cruz on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
De La Cruz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
De La Cruz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Vukojevic gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
De La Cruz passes into half guard.
De La Cruz wants to pass the guard but Vukojevic is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
De La Cruz lands a couple of good shots and Vukojevic has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Vukojevic covers up after that shot from De La Cruz.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
De La Cruz scores with strikes from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Cruz is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Vukojevic is breathing heavily.

De La Cruz has got one arm under Vukojevic's chin. This could be trouble... Vukojevic trying to control the other hand but De La Cruz gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Vukojevic has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Neftali De La Cruz!