PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nguyen Thanh Tung (ranked 5056 p4p, 4047 weight class) and Alden Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thanh Tung's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Em Của Ngày Hôm Qua. Thanh Tung has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Nguyen Thanh Tung has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thanh Tung
vs
Cruz

185 cm
18
225
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
225
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nguyen Thanh Tung!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alden Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz wants to clinch up but Thanh Tung keeps it at a distance.
Thanh Tung looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Cruz goes for a double leg but Thanh Tung avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thanh Tung continues to drive forward.
Cruz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thanh Tung is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cruz.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Thanh Tung sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice sprawl there from Thanh Tung as Cruz shoots in.
Thanh Tung tried to counter with a leg kick but Cruz avoided it.
Nguyen Thanh Tung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alden Cruz.
Cruz darts in trying to clinch

and Thanh Tung counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thanh Tung postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thanh Tung can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thanh Tung preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cruz wants to stand up but Thanh Tung is controlling him.

Cruz working for a triangle but Thanh Tung defends it easily.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but Thanh Tung is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two 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.
Cruz will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Thanh Tung stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
Cruz working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thanh Tung could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cruz wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thanh Tung slaps away a takedown attempt from Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Thanh Tung sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Thanh Tung swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cruz tries to bum rush Thanh Tung with a series of wild strikes but Thanh Tung uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cruz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thanh Tung appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thanh Tung stuffs the takedown.
Cruz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thanh Tung avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Thanh Tung circles away.
Thanh Tung stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thanh Tung wants it to stay on the feet.
Thanh Tung appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thanh Tung sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Thanh Tung circles away.
Thanh Tung wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Thanh Tung circles away and keeps his distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nguyen Thanh Tung dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thanh Tung keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nguyen Thanh Tung is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Thanh Tung circles away.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thanh Tung was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Thanh Tung circles away and keeps his distance.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thanh Tung sprawls well. Thanh Tung wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nguyen Thanh Tung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alden Cruz.
Thanh Tung avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Thanh Tung circles away and keeps his distance.
Thanh Tung is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Cruz tries to clinch up but Thanh Tung circles away and keeps his distance.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thanh Tung slips a straight right by Cruz.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Thanh Tung, which made it look bad.
Thanh Tung wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thanh Tung tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thanh Tung to the ground. Thanh Tung escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Thanh Tung circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Thanh Tung moves out of range easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cruz moves in looking to clinch but Thanh Tung pushes him off.
As Cruz looks to move away, Thanh Tung throws a big counter combo but Cruz just gets out of the way.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Thanh Tung keeps it at a distance.
Thanh Tung appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thanh Tung sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thanh Tung swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Thanh Tung is avoiding it.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thanh Tung avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Thanh Tung went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Alden Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Thanh Tung saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Thanh Tung. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Thanh Tung keeps it at a distance.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thanh Tung swivels and escapes.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thanh Tung sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz blocks the body kick.
Thanh Tung keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cruz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thanh Tung tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thanh Tung to the ground. Thanh Tung escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Thanh Tung saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thanh Tung fires out a quick counter leg kick but Cruz just manages to avoid it.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Thanh Tung sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Thanh Tung avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nguyen Thanh Tung dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Thanh Tung is avoiding it.
As Cruz looks to move away, Thanh Tung throws a big counter combo but Cruz just gets out of the way.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Thanh Tung, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Thanh Tung against the cage but Thanh Tung circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thanh Tung feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Thanh Tung swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cruz moves in looking to clinch but Thanh Tung pushes him off.
Thanh Tung appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nguyen Thanh Tung is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Thanh Tung sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cruz moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nguyen Thanh Tung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alden Cruz.
Cruz looking to stall.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cruz wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Cruz is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thanh Tung is defending well.
Thanh Tung gets underhooks to prevent Cruz's takedown attempt.
Cruz jumps guard but Thanh Tung turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Cruz fails to pull guard.
Cruz is struggling to control the position.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz swinging wildly here.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thanh Tung stuffs the takedown.
Thanh Tung stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thanh Tung wants it to stay on the feet.
Thanh Tung closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cruz circles away.
Cruz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Thanh Tung misses with a two punch combination.
Despite the aggression on Cruz's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thanh Tung sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thanh Tung swivels and escapes.
Cruz tries to clinch up.
Cruz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thanh Tung defends well and Cruz ends up having to push Thanh Tung into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Thanh Tung throws a counter high kick but Cruz was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz dives in and grabs Thanh Tung's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thanh Tung pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
As Cruz tries to get set, Thanh Tung tries to push him back and clinch up but Cruz manages to avoid the attempt.
Thanh Tung throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cruz's waist but Cruz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thanh Tung off to one side.

Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Thanh Tung.
Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thanh Tung is trying to force a seperation but Cruz has the dominant position.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Thanh Tung has the dominant position.
Cruz lands a nice knee to the body.
Cruz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thanh Tung smiles and moves away.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Thanh Tung sprawls well.
Thanh Tung is looking to counter the offense by Cruz and move into the clinch.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Thanh Tung moved out of range nicely.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Thanh Tung circles away and keeps his distance.
Thanh Tung slaps away a takedown attempt from Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt

and Thanh Tung counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thanh Tung.
Cruz wants to break free but Thanh Tung has control.
Thanh Tung is working for takedown but Cruz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Thanh Tung turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thanh Tung prevents a body shot from Cruz.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alden Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nguyen Thanh Tung is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thanh Tung keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nguyen Thanh Tung showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thanh Tung, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nguyen Thanh Tung!
Nguyen Thanh Tung spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.