PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Requiem of a Tower. Julio Cruz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Aurelius
vs
Cruz

195 cm
18
225 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Aurelius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz shoots in but Aurelius avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Aurelius circles away.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Aurelius circles away.
Aurelius with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cruz counters with a takedown into side control.

Cruz tries for a kimura but Aurelius is defending well.
Aurelius is looking for a sweep.
Aurelius can't do much from the bottom here.
Cruz tries to move to mount but Aurelius blocks the move with his legs.

Cruz stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Aurelius shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Aurelius was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cruz tries to reverse the position but Aurelius maintains control.
Cruz trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius controlling from mount.
Aurelius working the ground and pound effectively.
Cruz is trying desperately to improve position.
Cruz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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.
Cruz looks gassed!
Aurelius tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cruz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cruz prevents Aurelius from getting back to his feet.
Cruz passes Aurelius's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Cruz is looking for a kimura here.
Cruz prevents Aurelius from improving his position.
Aurelius trying to control but Cruz postures up.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Aurelius is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz decides to stand up.

Aurelius decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Aurelius trying to control from half guard but Cruz is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cruz.
Aurelius has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cruz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Aurelius is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Cruz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Aurelius's back instead.

Cruz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Aurelius is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Aurelius is doing well to defend. Cruz seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Aurelius is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Julio Cruz!