PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Antti Rannanjarvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Humberto Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rannanjarvi comes to the cage accompanied by Stonehenge by Spinal Tap. 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.

Rannanjarvi
vs
Cruz

195 cm
24
154 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

170 cm
23
150 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

5th Round

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antti Rannanjarvi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Humberto Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rannanjarvi misses with a low kick as Cruz jumps back.
Cruz works the jab nicely.
Rannanjarvi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cruz lands with a nice combination. Rannanjarvi backs away looking to recover.
A head kick misses from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi scores with a jab to the head.
Rannanjarvi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rannanjarvi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rannanjarvi slips under a jab from Cruz.
Cruz misses the jab.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rannanjarvi misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
Antti Rannanjarvi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Rannanjarvi ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz tried to score with a low kick but Rannanjarvi checks it.
Rannanjarvi looks to land a combination. Cruz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cruz scores with a body shot.
Cruz with a nice cross.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rannanjarvi. Cruz shrugs it off though.
Rannanjarvi lands a head kick!
Rannanjarvi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi connects with a crisp jab.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rannanjarvi delivers a nice body kick.
Cruz connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rannanjarvi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
Cruz looks to land a right hand but Rannanjarvi moved out of range.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rannanjarvi was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi throws a body kick that misses.
Rannanjarvi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rannanjarvi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rannanjarvi slips under a jab.
Nice defenses there by Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rannanjarvi throws a low kick but Cruz moves out of range easily.
Rannanjarvi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Cruz checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rannanjarvi thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz scores with a jab.
Rannanjarvi tries a head kick but it misses.
Rannanjarvi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Rannanjarvi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rannanjarvi misses with a head kick.
Rannanjarvi stuffs the takedown attempt from Cruz. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz scores with a hook to the body. Rannanjarvi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rannanjarvi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A big left from Cruz misses.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rannanjarvi pinned against the cage. Rannanjarvi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Antti Rannanjarvi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Humberto Cruz.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Rannanjarvi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz lands with a good body shot.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Rannanjarvi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz avoids a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Humberto Cruz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rannanjarvi tries to land a front kick but Cruz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cruz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rannanjarvi. That one must have hurt.
Rannanjarvi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rannanjarvi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rannanjarvi throws a push kick but Cruz slaps the foot to one side.
Rannanjarvi misses with a body shot.
Rannanjarvi delivers a nice body kick.
Cruz misses with a hook to the body
and Rannanjarvi counters with a solid body kick.
Rannanjarvi tries to score with a low kick but Cruz moves his leg out of the way.
Rannanjarvi misses with a series of wild punches.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rannanjarvi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Rannanjarvi slams his shin into Cruz's torso.
Rannanjarvi throws a low kick, looking for Cruz's leg but Cruz calmly moves out of range.
Rannanjarvi thuds his shin into the meat of Cruz's side.
Rannanjarvi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rannanjarvi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rannanjarvi.
Cruz checks the leg kick.
Cruz tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rannanjarvi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rannanjarvi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi slips a straight right by Cruz.
Rannanjarvi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rannanjarvi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi motions for Cruz to come forward. Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rannanjarvi is looking to clinch.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Cruz scores with a decent looking hook.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Rannanjarvi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cruz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi tries a head kick but it misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cruz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Rannanjarvi - the referee stops the clock and Cruz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Rannanjarvi. Cruz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rannanjarvi is looking to wear down Cruz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rannanjarvi slips under a jab.
Rannanjarvi thuds his shin into the meat of Cruz's side.
Rannanjarvi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Rannanjarvi shows good takedown defense.
Antti Rannanjarvi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Humberto Cruz.
Cruz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz moves out of range as Rannanjarvi throws a body kick.
Cruz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rannanjarvi scores with a kick to the midsection.
Rannanjarvi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rannanjarvi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi slips under a jab.
Cruz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rannanjarvi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That kick from Rannanjarvi tenderised Cruz's leg. Cruz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rannanjarvi throws a sloppy head kick and Cruz moves out of range easily.
Rannanjarvi thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Rannanjarvi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz takes a swing at Rannanjarvi's ribcage but misses.
Rannanjarvi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rannanjarvi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cruz has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi is looking to land body kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Rannanjarvi dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cruz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rannanjarvi is out of range.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Rannanjarvi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rannanjarvi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cruz checks a leg kick.
Cruz avoids a kick to the body.
Rannanjarvi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rannanjarvi scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rannanjarvi lands a lovely overhand right.
Cruz throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rannanjarvi counters with an outside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Cruz checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rannanjarvi lands with a nice body kick.

Rannanjarvi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rannanjarvi throws an elbow but misses.
Rannanjarvi missing with knees to the body.
Rannanjarvi tries to land knees in the clinch but Cruz avoids the damage to the body.
Rannanjarvi tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Rannanjarvi back against the cage.

Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rannanjarvi throws a shot from downtown. Cruz moves away and avoids it.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Rannanjarvi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz swings for the body but Rannanjarvi moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
Rannanjarvi thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Rannanjarvi misses with a body kick.

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.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi connects with a solid leg kick.
Rannanjarvi ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz blocks the body kick.
Rannanjarvi misses with a low kick as Cruz jumps back.
Cruz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Rannanjarvi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cruz.
Cruz throws an overhand right that lands on Rannanjarvi's shoulder, as Rannanjarvi tries to avoid the shot.
Rannanjarvi is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick but Cruz checks it.
Rannanjarvi throws a nice looking combination but Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cruz throws a hook but Rannanjarvi blocks it.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rannanjarvi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
Rannanjarvi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rannanjarvi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cruz doesn't seem bothered though.
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.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi tries to land a leg kick but Cruz saw it coming and moves away.
Rannanjarvi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rannanjarvi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cruz's calf.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick from Rannanjarvi.
Cruz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rannanjarvi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cruz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A low kick from Cruz is predictable there
and Rannanjarvi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Rannanjarvi there.
Rannanjarvi tries to land a front kick but Cruz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rannanjarvi.
Cruz checks the leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Rannanjarvi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rannanjarvi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Rannanjarvi!