PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eh Phuthong (ranked 1030 p4p, 1391 weight class) and Pablo Cruz (ranked 76 p4p, 104 weight class). Cruz is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Daddy Yankee / Gasolina. Pablo Cruz struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 138.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Phuthong
vs
Cruz

178 cm
28
147
18 - 13 - 1

178 cm
35
150
19 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eh Phuthong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pablo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Phuthong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phuthong lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Phuthong has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Phuthong on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cruz scores with a hook.
Phuthong throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Phuthong punishes Cruz's body with a nice straight punch.
Cruz moves away from the strike by Phuthong.
Cruz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phuthong moves out of range of the strikes.
Phuthong swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Phuthong throws a body shot but no joy.
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phuthong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cruz staying out of range there.
Phuthong misses with a low kick.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Phuthong is looking to counter punch.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Phuthong scores with a jab.
Cruz slips under a jab from Phuthong.
Cruz is looking for the big counter here.
A cross from Cruz lands.
Cruz 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phuthong lands a jab to the nose.
Cruz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Phuthong. That snapped Cruz's head back.
Cruz misses the jab.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Phuthong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Jab from Cruz.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz needs to keep his hands up - Phuthong had a free shot at his head there.
Cruz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phuthong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Phuthong lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Phuthong cracks Cruz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Cruz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Phuthong at a distance.
Phuthong throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Phuthong tries to move into range but Cruz moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
Phuthong defending well as Cruz loads up on a big left hand.
Phuthong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Phuthong throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.

Phuthong has taken the fight to the clinch.
Phuthong misses with some punches.
Phuthong working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Cruz.
Cruz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cruz swings wildly with an uppercut but Phuthong uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Phuthong fails to land.
Cruz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cruz misses with a punch on the inside.
Cruz has a couple of punches blocked by Phuthong.
Cruz tries to break free but Phuthong pushes him back against the cage.
Cruz throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Phuthong.
Cruz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phuthong backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Cruz.
Phuthong can't find room to land a body shot as Cruz controls the action.
Phuthong misses with a punch on the inside.
Phuthong tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Phuthong back against the cage.
Cruz lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cruz.
Phuthong tries to work over Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cruz misses with a short punch on the inside.

Phuthong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Phuthong.
Cruz connects with a body shot that sends Phuthong's belly button to the back.
Phuthong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Phuthong moved out of range nicely.
Phuthong connects with an inside leg kick.
Phuthong blocks a jab.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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!
Phuthong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
Phuthong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Phuthong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phuthong is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong slips under a jab.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
Phuthong throws a jab when Cruz was well out of range.
Phuthong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phuthong was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
A lazy left from Cruz finds it's target.
Phuthong throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz catches Phuthong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cruz lands with a right hand.
Phuthong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Phuthong lands with a cross.
Cruz swings for the body but Phuthong moves out of range.
Phuthong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Phuthong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Phuthong moved out of range nicely.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
Phuthong scores with a jab to the head.
Phuthong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz throws the left hand but Phuthong avoids the punch easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eh Phuthong will probably get the nod.
That's time! Phuthong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Phuthong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cruz misses the jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
A jab lands there for Phuthong.
Phuthong slips under a jab.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Phuthong slips the punch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz moves out of range as Phuthong strikes.
Cruz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phuthong.
Cruz throws a hook but Phuthong avoids it easily.
Phuthong cracks a nice hook into Cruz's ribs.
Phuthong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phuthong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phuthong.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz throws a jab when Phuthong was well out of range.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
Phuthong was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz misses with a body shot.
Phuthong throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Phuthong misses.
Cruz throws out a powerful jab.
Phuthong lands with an overhand left.
A big left from Phuthong misses.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
The fighters circling - Phuthong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Phuthong's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cruz under the eye.
Nice shot lands for Cruz.
Phuthong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cruz throws out the jab.
Phuthong misses with a hook.
Phuthong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cruz staying out of range there.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Phuthong moved out of range nicely.
Phuthong takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Cruz swings for the body but Phuthong moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phuthong looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
Cruz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cruz looks to land a right hand but Phuthong moved out of range.
Phuthong thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Phuthong misses the target.
Phuthong connects with a right hand. Cruz shakes it off.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Cruz misses with a looping right.
Phuthong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Phuthong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cruz throws out the jab.
A quick step to the side and Phuthong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut. Cruz saw that one coming.
Phuthong lands a head shot.
Phuthong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phuthong lands a glancing blow to the side of Cruz's head.
Phuthong slips a straight right by Cruz.
Phuthong looks to land a left hand but Cruz moved out of range nicely.
Phuthong misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Phuthong.
Phuthong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phuthong lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Phuthong slips under a jab.
A left lands for Phuthong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Phuthong swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cruz walks into a stiff left hand from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses the shot to the body.
Cruz misses with a hook. Phuthong ducked under it nicely.
Cruz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Phuthong lands with a straight right. Cruz didn't see that one coming.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Phuthong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A big left from Phuthong misses.
Phuthong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cruz lands with a good body shot.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Phuthong.
Cruz let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Phuthong ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz needs to keep his hands up - Phuthong had a free shot at his head there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phuthong misses with an uppercut.
Phuthong lands a really nice looking cross but Cruz seems unphased.
Phuthong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Phuthong misses with a looping left.
Phuthong throws out a loose jab but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong cracks Cruz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Cruz walks into a left hand.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz misses with a body shot.
Phuthong was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Phuthong.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Phuthong slips the punch.
Phuthong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Phuthong.
Phuthong looks to land a right hand but Cruz moved out of range.
Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phuthong.
Cruz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Phuthong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cruz misses with a looping right.
A punch lands to the side of Cruz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Phuthong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cruz.
Phuthong pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cruz is out of range and Phuthong settles back down.
Cruz let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Eh Phuthong is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phuthong just misses with a punch to the body.
Phuthong misses with a straight right.
Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Phuthong.
Cruz with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Phuthong to score with a decent uppercut.
Phuthong scores with a sloppy right hand. Cruz should have avoided that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eh Phuthong dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Phuthong closes the distance and pushes Cruz back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phuthong.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Phuthong.
Phuthong tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Phuthong back against the cage.

Phuthong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz lands a glancing blow to the side of Phuthong's head.
Phuthong throws a hook but Cruz avoids it easily.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Cruz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Phuthong connects with a solid leg kick.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Phuthong misses with a looping right.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Phuthong misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz cracks Phuthong with an open hand slap.
Cruz throws out a powerful jab.
Phuthong stuns Cruz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
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!
Cruz clobbers Phuthong with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Phuthong uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cruz has time to react.
Cruz moves forwards but Phuthong connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phuthong swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz takes a swing at Phuthong's ribcage but misses.
Donk. Phuthong catches Cruz right on the button with a cross.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong digs a good body shot into Cruz's ribs.
Phuthong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Phuthong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Phuthong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Phuthong throws a shot from downtown. Cruz moves away and avoids it.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Phuthong moves out of range.
Phuthong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Phuthong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cruz there as he acknowledges the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz misses with a hook.
Phuthong just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Phuthong with a body shot.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Phuthong.
Phuthong loads up on a big right hand but Cruz slips the punch.
Phuthong jabs Cruz right on the nose. Cruz blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Phuthong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz takes one to the side of the head.
Phuthong wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
A countering left hand to the body from Cruz misses.
Phuthong swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz throws a hook to the side of Phuthong's head but Phuthong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz slips a straight right by Phuthong.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Phuthong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
Phuthong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Cruz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Phuthong slips a straight right by Cruz.
The fighters circling - Phuthong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Good leg kick by Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Phuthong's head.
A left and a right from Phuthong both land. Nice combination.
Cruz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jab from Cruz.
Phuthong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Cruz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice jab there from Phuthong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Phuthong.
Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a hook. Phuthong ducked under it nicely.
Cruz works the jab nicely.
Phuthong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Phuthong lands with an uppercut that bounces Cruz off the cage and back into range.
Phuthong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz throws a body punch but Phuthong moves out of range.
Phuthong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Phuthong just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz takes one on the button.
Cruz lands a body shot.
Cruz lunges at Phuthong with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Phuthong's hand.
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!
Phuthong throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Phuthong throws a body shot but no joy.
Phuthong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cruz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
A big right from Cruz misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Phuthong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
Phuthong moves out of range of the strikes.
Phuthong staying out of range there.
Cruz slips under a jab.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Phuthong ducks down to avoid it.
Phuthong throws a hook but Cruz avoids it easily.
Phuthong jabs at Cruz's body.
Cruz checks a leg kick.
Phuthong connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz misses with a hook.
Phuthong scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cruz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Pablo Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phuthong staying out of range there.
A telegraphed right hand from Phuthong misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eh Phuthong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Phuthong, 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eh Phuthong!
Our winner, Eh Phuthong, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.