PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiger Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiger Cruz has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mark Rua's chin.

Rua
vs
Cruz

195 cm
25
217 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiger Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Russell Pearce and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.

Rua gets caught flat footed, as Cruz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Cruz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rua controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Rua wants to stand up but Cruz is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz stands and throws Rua's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cruz throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rua is trying to get back to his feet.
Rua trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Rua avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cruz.
Cruz trying to control the action but Rua is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rua tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rua throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rua wants to clinch.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rua sprawls well. Rua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Rua avoids nicely.

Rua clinches up with Cruz and pushes him back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.
Rua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cruz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rua gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mark Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiger Cruz.
Cruz blocking some punches.
Rua landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rua gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cruz letting Rua take a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes an elbow to the temple.
Rua landing knees to the head.

It looks like Tiger Cruz has been cut.
Rua is stalling here.
Rua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cruz is working for takedown but Rua is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rua scores a nice knee to the body.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A right hand to the body from Rua.
Cruz looks gassed!
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Rua lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rua lands an uppercut.
Cruz tries to score a body lock takedown but Rua shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cruz avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua lands an elbow inside.
Rua scores a nice knee to the body.
Rua misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz avoids the elbow strike from Rua, against the cage.
Cruz avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Rua.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cruz avoids the elbow strike from Rua, against the cage.
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rua putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua lands an elbow inside.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Rua manages to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rua using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rua throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tiger Cruz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A head kick misses from Rua.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Rua takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua lands with a straight right. Cruz didn't see that one coming.
Rua tries to clinch up.
Rua is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rua sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Rua bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily.
A combination from Rua does no damage.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rua pinned against the cage. Rua gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mark Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiger Cruz.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Rua displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rua lands a body punch.
Rua prevents the takedown attempt.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Rua is pressed up against the cage. Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rua down to the mat. Rua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rua scores with a sloppy right hand. Cruz should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
A cross from Rua lands.
Rua wants to clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rua.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.

Rua moves into the clinch.
Good body shot from Rua.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rua landing knees to the body.
Rua is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rua avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Cruz shrugs off.
Rua utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rua.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rua.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Rua is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua misses with a knee strike.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rua manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rua scores with a knee to the head.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but Cruz blocks with his arms.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rua fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A big right from Cruz misses.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Rua throws a head kick that Cruz semi-blocks.
Rua throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Rua.

Rua gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rua lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Cruz blocks it.
Cruz goes for a takedown attempt but Rua pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rua is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Rua dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tiger Cruz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rua but Rua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Rua moves into the clinch.
Rua landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rua displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cruz up against the cage.
Rua seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Rua stalling against the cage.
Rua landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Rua manages to get underhooks.
Mark Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiger Cruz.
Rua landing knees to the head.
Rua lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cruz takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rua slowing the pace effectively.
Rua scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rua is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mark Rua has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cruz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua lands a good knee to the midsection. Cruz won't want to take too many of those.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Rua is pressed up against the cage. Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rua down to the mat. Rua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rua tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
Rua throws a nice head kick!
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mark Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a double jab
and Rua counters with a big head kick but Cruz shrugs it off.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rua as he avoids it easily.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Rua tries to clinch up but Cruz circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua misses with a head kick.

Cruz gets a takedown into half guard.
Cruz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is trying to stand.
Mark Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rua keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Rua is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rua's head.
Cruz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Cruz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tiger Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.
Rua pushes Cruz off looking to stand but Cruz dives back in and keeps control.
Cruz wants to control but Rua is keeping him busy.
Cruz throws a strike but Rua avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rua is looking to stand up but Cruz isn't so interested in that idea.
Rua is pulling down on Cruz's head to control his posture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Rua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rua, 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Rua!