PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cody Delacruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ninja Gaiden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ninja Gaiden will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Delacruz
vs
Gaiden

176 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cody Delacruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ninja Gaiden!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaiden fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Delacruz avoids it really well and circles away.
Delacruz tried to counter with a leg kick but Gaiden avoided it.
Delacruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gaiden sprawls well. Gaiden wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Delacruz gets slowly back to his feet.

Delacruz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gaiden lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaiden scores with a nice hook to the head.
Delacruz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaiden can't find room to land a body shot as Delacruz controls the action.
Gaiden working hard to break the clinch.
Gaiden tries to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling the position.
Delacruz has Gaiden pushed against the cage.
Gaiden has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gaiden drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Delacruz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gaiden tries for a takedown but Delacruz manages to get underhooks.
Cody Delacruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ninja Gaiden.
Gaiden can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Delacruz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Delacruz manages to break the clinch.

Gaiden drives through and clinches with Delacruz against the cage.
Delacruz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gaiden makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gaiden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Delacruz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gaiden is trying to push Delacruz away but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Delacruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gaiden shoots in for a takedown but Delacruz shows good takedown defense.

Gaiden closes the distance and clinches.
Delacruz wants a takedown.
Delacruz stops a takedown attempt from Gaiden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaiden lands with a right to the head.
Gaiden is trying to break the clinch but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Gaiden is trying to push Delacruz away but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gaiden tries to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling the position.
Delacruz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gaiden prevents it.
Gaiden tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Delacruz manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Delacruz drives through and clinches with Gaiden against the cage.
Gaiden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gaiden has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Delacruz has Gaiden pressed against the cage, preventing Gaiden from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Gaiden lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gaiden tries to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling the position.
Gaiden wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Gaiden misses with a punch to the body.
Gaiden is trying to pull guard but Delacruz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ninja Gaiden will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gaiden clinches up with Delacruz and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Gaiden's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gaiden is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Delacruz is defending well.

Delacruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A punch combination from Gaiden misses.

Gaiden closes the distance and pushes Delacruz back into the cage.
Ninja Gaiden seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gaiden wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gaiden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gaiden tries to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delacruz prevents the takedown attempt.
Come on Delacruz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A frustrated look appears on Gaiden's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaiden wants to break free but Delacruz has control.
Gaiden wants to break the clinch but can't.
Delacruz just leaning against Gaiden, taking a breather.
Delacruz has Gaiden pressed against the cage.
Gaiden is leaning against Delacruz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Delacruz taking a breather.
Gaiden can't break the clinch.
Good body shot from Gaiden.
Gaiden is trying to drag Delacruz to the mat but Delacruz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cody Delacruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ninja Gaiden.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gaiden is trying to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling him.
Gaiden wants to get back to striking at distance but Delacruz won't allow it.
Gaiden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Delacruz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Delacruz has Gaiden pressed against the cage, preventing Gaiden from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Delacruz pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Delacruz pushes Gaiden off and scrambles back to his feet.
Delacruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Gaiden moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaiden wants to get back to striking at distance but Delacruz won't allow it.
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Gaiden has a couple of punches blocked by Delacruz.
Gaiden wants to get back to striking at distance but Delacruz won't allow it.
Gaiden tries to break the clinch but Delacruz is controlling the position.
Gaiden is trying to break free.
Gaiden working hard to break the clinch.
Gaiden is trying to break free.
Gaiden tries for a takedown but Delacruz manages to get underhooks.
Gaiden has had enough of the clinch but Delacruz keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Delacruz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gaiden walks away with a smile on his face. Delacruz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Delacruz takes the fight into the clinch.
Delacruz tries for a takedown. No joy.

Delacruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gaiden gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gaiden lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gaiden wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Delacruz has him pressed against the cage.
Delacruz stalls.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gaiden can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cody Delacruz will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gaiden swinging wildly here.

Gaiden moves into the clinch successfully.
Gaiden looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gaiden has Delacruz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Delacruz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Delacruz has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gaiden clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!