PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiger Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Atkins had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Atkins
vs
Cruz

187 cm
21
216 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
215 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Atkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiger Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Cruz misses.
Cruz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Atkins moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Atkins ducks down to avoid it.
Atkins jabs Cruz right on the nose. Cruz blinks but takes it well.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Atkins moves out of range.
Atkins throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Atkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz throws a low kick, looking for Atkins's leg but Atkins calmly moves out of range.
Tiger Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atkins lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.
Atkins takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Atkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Cruz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Atkins to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Atkins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Atkins controlling from the top position.
Atkins throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
Atkins throwing strikes but missing.
Atkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Atkins won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.
Atkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Atkins takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Cruz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

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.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Atkins ducks down to avoid it.
Atkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Cruz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Atkins.
Atkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cruz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Atkins.
A combination from Atkins does no damage.
Atkins lands with a good body shot.
Atkins darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Atkins circles away.
Atkins works the jab nicely.
Atkins lands with a right hand.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atkins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tiger Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Atkins needs to keep his hands up - Cruz had a free shot at his head there.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Atkins keeps it at a distance.
Atkins misses with a looping left.
Cruz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Atkins darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins swinging wildly here.
Atkins thows a left - swing and a miss!

Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Atkins.
Cruz misses with an elbow strike.

Atkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Atkins tries a head kick but it misses.
Cruz lands a nice shot that snaps Atkins's head back.
Atkins lands a jab to Cruz's midsection.
Atkins misses with a looping right.
Cruz tries to clinch up.
Cruz on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Atkins throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Atkins checks a leg kick.
Cruz moves out of range as Atkins strikes.
Cruz misses with a low kick.
A shot to the liver by Atkins. Beautiful body shot.
Atkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Atkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz looks to land a body kick but Atkins moved away.
Atkins throws a good cross that connects.

Atkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Atkins throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Cruz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Atkins.
Atkins looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Atkins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Atkins quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Atkins but it's paid off an Cruz is forced to tap! Nice work by Atkins.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Atkins!