PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aslambek Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Soderberg
vs
Cruz

179 cm
22
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
27
178 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aslambek Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Soderberg counters with a nice uppercut.
Cruz misses with a takedown

and Soderberg counters by moving into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Soderberg.
Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rufus Soderberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslambek Cruz.
Soderberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Soderberg prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cruz wants to take the fight to the mat but Soderberg manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Soderberg scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Soderberg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Soderberg tries to work over Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Soderberg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Soderberg.
A shot in the inside from Soderberg.
Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soderberg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Soderberg scores with a hook to the body.
Soderberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Soderberg is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cruz looks gassed!
A nice right hand lands inside from Soderberg.
Soderberg gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Soderberg is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Soderberg tries to work over Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Soderberg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cruz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Still in the clinch, Soderberg scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Soderberg.
Soderberg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Soderberg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cruz's elbow.
Soderberg lands a nice uppercut.
Soderberg scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Soderberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cruz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soderberg gets through Cruz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Soderberg works on Cruz's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soderberg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cruz is looking for a takedown.
A body shot lands from Soderberg.
Soderberg struggles to land a body shot inside as Cruz controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Soderberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Soderberg scores with a nice hook to the head.
Soderberg lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cruz.
A right hook to the body lands for Soderberg.
A left hand lands to the body for Soderberg.
Nice body punch from Soderberg - that landed with a thud.
Soderberg lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Soderberg scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Soderberg tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Soderberg back against the cage.

Soderberg lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Soderberg controlling the pace.
Soderberg uses his free foot to push down on Cruz's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cruz.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Soderberg has hold of Cruz's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cruz manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Soderberg tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soderberg working for a submission but Cruz is keeping him at bay.
Soderberg controlling the position easily from mount.
Soderberg has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Soderberg dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Soderberg closes the distance and pushes Cruz back into the cage.
A hook to the body from Soderberg.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soderberg fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cruz misses with a takedown

and Soderberg counters by clinching up.
Cruz is working for takedown but Soderberg is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rufus Soderberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslambek Cruz.
Soderberg cracks Cruz with a nice body shot.
Still in the clinch, Soderberg scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rufus Soderberg has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Soderberg scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Soderberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cruz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Soderberg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Soderberg lands an uppercut.
Soderberg is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A right handed body shot lands from Soderberg.
Soderberg is pressed up against the cage. Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Soderberg down to the mat. Soderberg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soderberg gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Soderberg scores with a hook to the body.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Soderberg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Soderberg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Soderberg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Soderberg digs a right hand underneath Cruz's ribcage. Cruz let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Soderberg scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Soderberg pushes Cruz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Soderberg lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Cruz is rocked!
Cruz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cruz is still on wobbly legs! Can Soderberg finish him?
Soderberg throws a big uppercut that drops Cruz! More strikes from Soderberg and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Cruz lies dazed against the cage as Soderberg celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rufus Soderberg!