PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Julio Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hernan Cortes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cruz
vs
Cortes

170 cm
23
152 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
146 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hernan Cortes!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Edson Gomes and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortes misses with a two punch combination.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Cortes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cortes tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
Nice defenses there by Cortes.
Cortes throws a quick inside leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Cortes.
Cortes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cortes.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cortes.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cortes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cortes fakes the leg kick and cracks Cruz in the body.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Cortes.

Cortes moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.

Cortes manages to break the clinch.

Cruz feints and as Cortes raises his hands in defense, Cruz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes is pulling down on Cruz's head. It's preventing any offense from Cruz, at least for the moment.
Cortes wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cruz slips nicely into half guard.
Cortes keeping control of the position.
Cruz is trying to control. Cortes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cortes gets full guard.
Cortes controlling the position.
Cortes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
Cortes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cruz's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cortes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cortes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cruz being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cortes's guard.

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.
Cortes has his hands on Cruz's head, controlling the position.

Despite being in the dominant position, Hernan Cortes just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cortes throws a half hearted mid kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cortes.

Cortes takes the fight into the clinch.
Cruz has Cortes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cortes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cruz tries to pull guard but Cortes holds him up against the cage and eventually Cruz drops back down to his feet.
Cruz is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernan Cortes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cortes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Cruz fails to pull guard.
Cortes lands a body shot in the clinch.

Cortes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cortes scoring well with a low kick there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Cortes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cortes scores with a leg kick.
Cortes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice sprawl there from Cortes as Cruz shoots in.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortes. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Cortes delivers a nice body kick.
A punch combination from Cortes misses.
Cortes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Cruz shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cruz was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes is trying to escape the mount but Cruz keeps good control and instead manages to take Cortes's back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortes looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Cruz throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Cortes trying to control the hands but Cruz breaks the grip.
Cortes rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Cortes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cruz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cortes tries to roll over but Cruz keeps him under control.
Cruz is thwarting Cortes's attempts to control the position.
Cortes wants to improve his position but Cruz is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cortes is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortes. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cortes swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cortes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cortes was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cruz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cortes - the referee stops the clock and Cruz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cortes. Cruz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cortes thuds his shin into the meat of Cruz's side.
Cortes lands a front kick.
Cortes scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cortes throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.

Cortes has closed the distance and engaged Cruz in a clinch.
Cortes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cortes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz drops his hands momentarily and Cortes takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cortes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cortes explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Cruz sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Cortes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cortes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cruz will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Cortes.

Cortes moves into the clinch.
Cortes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.

Cortes manages to break the clinch.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Julio Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cortes keeps Cruz at a distance using the push kick.
Cortes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.
Cortes throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cortes moves into the clinch.

Cortes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
An inside leg kick lands from Cortes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cortes delivers a nice body kick.
Cortes tries a head kick but it misses.
Cortes throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A left and a right from Cortes both land. Nice combination.
Cortes lands a high kick!
Cortes scores with a hook to the body. Cruz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cruz takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Cortes just misses with a punch to the body.
Cortes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cortes moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortes lands a nice shot to the body.
Cortes lands a nice looking body shot.
Cortes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Hernan Cortes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Cortes gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernan Cortes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cortes lands a nice looking body kick.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Cortes.

Cortes clinches with his opponent.

Cortes manages to break the clinch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cortes!
Cortes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cruz backs up against the cage.

Cortes has closed the distance and engaged Cruz in a clinch.
Cortes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Cortes breaks the clinch.
Cruz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cortes's waist but Cortes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cruz off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cortes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice sprawl there from Cortes as Cruz shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body kick from Cortes.
Hernan Cortes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cortes.
Cruz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Cortes throws a series of punches but Cruz moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes thuds a left hand into Cruz's body.
Some wild striking there from Cortes.
Cortes lands a head kick!
Cortes explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Cortes lets loose with a powerful body kick. Cruz will feel that in the morning.

Cortes closes the distance and clinches.

Cortes manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Cortes does no damage.
Cortes uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cruz has time to react.
Cortes feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cruz's calf.
Cruz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cortes stalks Cruz and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cruz's face. Cruz staggers backwards, shaken.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cortes!
Cortes throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cortes, right into the meat.
Cortes feints and then cracks Cruz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cruz down.
Cruz tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cortes throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cortes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortes lands a front kick.
A punch combination from Cortes misses.
Cortes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Cortes throws a head kick that Cruz semi-blocks.
Cortes connects with a solid leg kick.
Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Cortes.
Cortes wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Cortes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Cruz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hernan Cortes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cortes moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cortes is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortes. That's going to slow Cruz down.

Cortes closes the distance and pushes Cruz back into the cage.

Cortes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cortes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Cortes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cruz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cortes.

Cortes instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cortes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cortes goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cortes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.

Cortes forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
Cortes lands a shot to the body.
Cortes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cruz.
Cruz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cortes scores with a shoulder strike.
Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Cortes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortes. That's going to slow Cruz down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortes lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cortes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cortes.
Cortes controls the position from side control.
Let's hope that Cortes has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Cruz is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cortes controlling from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernan Cortes really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cortes clinches up with Cruz and pushes him back against the cage.
Cruz blocking some punches.
Cruz tries to score a body lock takedown but Cortes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cortes unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Cortes manages to break the clinch.
Cruz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A combination from Cortes does no damage.
Cortes misses with a hook.

Cortes pushes Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Cortes struggles to land a body shot inside as Cruz controls his hands.
Cortes lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cruz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cortes smiles and moves away.
Cortes throws a front kick that sends Cruz stumbling back into the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cortes gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cortes throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cortes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cortes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cortes lands with a thumping leg kick.

Cortes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.

Cortes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Cruz closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cortes to the mat! Cortes manages to get full guard.
Cortes pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Cortes.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cortes has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Cortes trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cortes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cortes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cortes moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Cortes throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.
Cortes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cortes scores with a body shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cortes!
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Cortes throws a head kick that Cruz semi-blocks.
Cortes lands a high kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Cortes throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.

Cortes closes the distance and pushes Cruz back into the cage.

Cortes breaks from the clinch.
Cortes thuds his shin into the meat of Cruz's side.
Cortes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cruz tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Cortes moves into the clinch.

Cortes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cortes delivers a nice body kick.
Cruz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Cortes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cortes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cortes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Cortes.
Cortes missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernan Cortes dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cortes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Cruz gets a clinch.
Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cruz holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Cortes breaks from the clinch.
Cortes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cruz scores with the left hand. Cortes knows he should have avoided that one.

Cortes gets a clinch.
Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cortes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cruz is defending well for now.

Cortes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cortes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cortes bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cortes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cortes scores with a push kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cortes, right into the meat.
Cortes scores with a three punch combo!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cortes.
Nice body kick there by Cortes.
Cruz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cortes.
Cortes throws a one two combo.
Cortes tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cortes swinging wilding here.
Cortes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cortes throws a front kick that sends Cruz stumbling back into the cage.
Cortes lands with a kick to the ribs.
Cortes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortes throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cruz on the side of the head.
Cortes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Cortes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cortes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
A body shot lands from Cortes.
A right hand to the body from Cortes.
Cortes swings wildly with an uppercut but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cruz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Cortes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cortes throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortes moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cortes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Cortes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cortes.
Cortes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.
Cortes thuds his right hand into Cruz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortes. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Cortes lands a head kick. Cruz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Cortes instigates a clinch.
Cruz tries to pull guard but Cortes holds him up against the cage and eventually Cruz drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cortes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cortes throws a nice head kick!
Cruz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cortes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cortes.
Julio Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hernan Cortes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortes scores with a leg kick.
Cortes throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Cortes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
No joy there for Cruz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cortes moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nice body kick from Cortes.
Good standup being displayed there by Cortes as he connects with a hook.
Cruz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Cortes instigates a clinch.

Cortes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
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!
Cortes lands with a straight right. Cruz didn't see that one coming.
Cortes scores with a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cortes pushes Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Hernan Cortes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Cortes breaks the clinch.
Cruz takes one on the chin but seems OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hernan Cortes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cortes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 42:50
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 43:50
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hernan Cortes!
Hernan Cortes is the new featherweight champion!