PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ridja Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaspars Daugavins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaspars Daugavins will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Cruz
vs
Daugavins

175 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ridja Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kaspars Daugavins!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daugavins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Daugavins waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Daugavins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Cruz clinches up against the cage.
Daugavins looking to stall.

Daugavins jumps into guard, dragging Cruz to the mat.
Cruz 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.
Cruz trying to control but Daugavins is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Ridja Cruz wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Cruz dives in and grabs Daugavins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Daugavins pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ridja Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Daugavins misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Daugavins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Daugavins throws a nice looking combination but Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Daugavins moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Daugavins.
Daugavins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Good exchange - Daugavins coming out on top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Daugavins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cruz counters by moving into the clinch.
Daugavins stalling in the clinch but Cruz improves position.
Daugavins fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Daugavins jumps guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daugavins pulls Cruz in close to his closed guard and prevents Cruz from doing any damage or advancing position.
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 gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Daugavins looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Cruz tries to score with a low kick but Daugavins moves his leg out of the way.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Daugavins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Daugavins throws a chopping leg kick but Cruz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Daugavins blocks a head kick by Cruz.
Daugavins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cruz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cruz trying to mount his opponent but Daugavins defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz controlling the action here.
Cruz thows a huge punch but Daugavins dodges it nicely.
Cruz wants to stand up but Daugavins is controlling the position.
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.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Cruz has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Daugavins works to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ridja Cruz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Daugavins misses with a body shot.
Daugavins misses with a few strikes there.

Cruz closes the distance and pushes Daugavins back into the cage.
Daugavins is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cruz is keeping busy.
Cruz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Daugavins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Daugavins's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Daugavins duly obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Daugavins sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jab, jab by Daugavins - just one landing.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ridja Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Daugavins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ridja Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Oooooh!!! Daugavins has knocked Cruz down with a huge combo! Daugavins steps away and waves a wobbly Cruz back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Cruz is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Oh Cruz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Daugavins misses with a double jab.

Daugavins closes the distance looking for a takedown. Cruz stuffs it but Daugavins still has hold of him. Daugavins picks Cruz up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Daugavins slams Cruz to the floor and that's really hurt Cruz - he doesn't know where he is! Daugavins throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kaspars Daugavins!