PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dominick Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dominick Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Gracie

178 cm
19
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

179 cm
27
165 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dominick Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nate Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Cruz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Some wild striking there from Gracie.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gracie controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

Gracie stands up from Cruz's guard - Gracie perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dominick Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Cruz.

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Cruz looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cruz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

Cruz is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nate Gracie.

Gracie throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cruz was covering up waiting for the punch and Gracie finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Cruz working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gracie defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominick Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Some wild striking there from Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cruz fails with the takedown

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Cruz didn't expect that.

Gracie gets to his feet. Cruz looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cruz as he avoids it easily.
Gracie misses with a double jab.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cruz won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gracie stands up.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominick Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cruz defends it nicely.
Cruz scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cruz to score with a decent uppercut.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Cruz fails with the takedown

and Gracie counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cruz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gracie pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Gracie feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gracie trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

Gracie stands up and waves to Cruz to follow him.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gracie counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cruz!
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!
Cruz tries to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie unloading with bombs!
Gracie wants to take Cruz's back but he can't do it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie with good strikes from the mount here!
Gracie moves to back control.

Gracie is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Cruz with him. Cruz is trying to defend but Gracie has an arm under the chin now! Cruz grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Nate Gracie!