PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zak Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zak Simmons is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Simmons
vs
Cruz

190 cm
19
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zak Simmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pedro Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simmons is defended easily by Cruz.

Cruz moves into the clinch.
Simmons wants to break free but Cruz has control.

Cruz pulls guard.
Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Simmons tries to kick Cruz off in order to stand up. Cruz Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Cruz content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Simmons is trying to get back to half guard.

Cruz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cruz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Cruz landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Simmons, who protects the arm well.

Cruz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cruz trying to control the position but Simmons is working away.
Simmons tries to buck Cruz off but Cruz is having none of it.
Simmons is pushing Cruz's head away, looking to escape. Cruz manages to hold on to the position though.
Simmons wants to control but Cruz postures up.
Cruz misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Simmons tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cruz wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cruz working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Cruz working the head and body with strikes.

Cruz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cruz content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
You can see the frustration on Simmons's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Simmons regains half guard.
Simmons wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Simmons has managed to free his arm - good work.
Simmons is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Cruz looks gassed!
Cruz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Simmons!
Simmons is squirming around, avoiding Cruz's attempts to control the action.
Simmons is trying to escape the mount.

Cruz working for a submission but Simmons is keeping him at bay.

Cruz is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Simmons is surviving well by controlling Cruz's body position as best he can.

That's four 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.

Cruz goes for an armbar but Simmons turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Simmons.
Simmons looking to pass the guard.
Simmons trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Cruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cruz pushes Simmons up against the cage in a clinch.

Cruz successfully pulls guard.
Simmons postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Simmons looking to sit in guard and control but Cruz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cruz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Simmons manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cruz has Simmons in his guard.
Simmons trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons looking to sit in guard and control but Cruz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cruz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Simmons will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Simmons keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Simmons working a defensive guard here.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Simmons keeps moving.
Simmons can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Simmons dives in and grabs Cruz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes down on Simmons's head and hops out.
Simmons throws a one two combo.
Cruz leaves Simmons with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Simmons clinches up with Cruz and pushes him back against the cage.

Cruz jumps into guard, dragging Simmons to the mat.
Cruz wants to sweep here but Simmons controlling him for the moment.
Simmons would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Simmons advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmons is working for a kimura but Cruz is defending it quite comfortably.
Cruz wants to improve his position but Simmons is controlling well.
Simmons throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Simmons is pressing down on Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cruz is holding on for now.

That's four 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.
Cruz gets back to full guard.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cruz has his foot on Simmons's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Simmons works his way back into a safe position though.
Simmons trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz looking to control but Simmons passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Simmons dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cruz avoids the head kick by Simmons.

Simmons gets caught flat footed, as Cruz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cruz content to stall in guard here.

Cruz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Simmons dives on top into guard.

Cruz has his foot on Simmons's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Simmons works his way back into a safe position though.
Simmons stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz looking to control.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Simmons stands and throws Cruz's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Simmons tries to move to mount but Cruz blocks the move with his legs.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cruz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Simmons fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick from Simmons.
Simmons tries for a takedown but Cruz circles away easily

and Cruz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Simmons's guard now.

Cruz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Simmons manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cruz has Simmons in his guard.

Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Simmons trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmons avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Simmons is looking to stand up but Cruz won't let him.

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.
Simmons wants to stand and escape but instead Cruz has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Simmons is keeping the position for now.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Simmons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Simmons shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cruz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Simmons's guard.
Simmons looking to control.
Cruz controls from within his opponent's guard.
Simmons avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cruz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Cruz!