PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Roman Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Emelianenko
vs
Cruz

185 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Excellent boxer
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roman Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko misses with a looping right.
Emelianenko lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Roman Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko lands a jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Emelianenko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emelianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Cruz.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Emelianenko throws out the jab.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Jab by Emelianenko.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.

Cruz takes the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Emelianenko avoiding damage as Cruz throws knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cruz.

Emelianenko manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cruz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cruz blocks a jab.
Emelianenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cruz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cruzs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Roman Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emelianenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz takes one to the side of the head.

It looks like Alexander Cruz has been cut.
Good exchange - Emelianenko coming out on top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz slips a jab from Emelianenko.

Cruz has managed to clinch.
Emelianenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A short uppercut from Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab from Emelianenko misses.
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Emelianenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Emelianenko moves into range and connects with a jab.

Cruz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelianenko, pushing him back against the ropes.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Emelianenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Emelianenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Cruz counters with a left and a right that stings Emelianenko.
Cruz tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz slips under a jab from Emelianenko.
Cruz scores with a head kick.

Cruz clinches up against the ropes.
Emelianenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cruz avoids it.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Emelianenko trying to control the position but instead, Cruz has worked for underhooks and has pushed Emelianenko into the ropes.
Cruz looking to slow down the pace here.
Cruz leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko missing with a left hand there. Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Emelianenko misses with a right hand
and Cruz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cruz moves in looking to clinch but Emelianenko pushes him off.
Emelianenko misses with a lunging right hand

and Cruz counters by clinching up.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelianenko throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.
Emelianenko misses with a hook
and Cruz counters with a series of strikes. Emelianenko will be more careful next time no doubt.
A big left from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cruz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Emelianenko looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cruz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Emelianenko misses with a right hand
and Cruz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Emelianenko throws a right hand that misses

and Cruz counters by clinching up.
Emelianenko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
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 Roman Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Cruz's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cruz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the body kick.
Emelianenko keeps the fight on the outside.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Emelianenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Roman Emelianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Emelianenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Emelianenko misses the target.
Cruz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Emelianenko misses with a looping left.
Nice cross by Emelianenko.
A telegraphed right hand from Emelianenko misses the target.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Emelianenko throws out the jab.
A big right from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Emelianenko throws a hook but Cruz blocks it.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cruz slips under a jab.
Cruz throws a right hand that Emelianenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Emelianenko also avoids with ease.
A big right from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko misses with a hook
and Cruz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Emelianenko tries to move into range but Cruz moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Cruz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Emelianenko throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Cruz counters by moving into the clinch.
Cruz avoiding damage.
Emelianenko misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cruz tries to break free but Emelianenko pushes him back against the ropes.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Emelianenko misses with a hook.
Alexander Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelianenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Emelianenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Cruz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Emelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cruz feints a jab promting Emelianenko to slip. Cruz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Emelianenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cruz slips under a jab from Emelianenko.
Cruz lands a nice hook to Emelianenko's body. Emelianenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Emelianenko misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a lazy right hand but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Emelianenko misses with an uppercut
and Cruz counters with an inside leg kick.
Emelianenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cruz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cruz slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Cruz staying out of range there.
Cruz cracks Emelianenko with a right hand to the side of the head.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Emelianenko misses with a straight right.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Cruz swings for the body but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko's corner calls for a 1-2. Emelianenko obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cruz wants to clinch.
Emelianenko throws a big shot that misses.
Cruz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Cruz.
Emelianenko lands a jab to the head.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Cruz counters with a series of strikes. Emelianenko will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cruz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emelianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cruz walks into a straight right hand from Emelianenko.
Cruz is looking to clinch.
A jab from Emelianenko misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko swings widly with a right hand
and Cruz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cruz counters with a left and a right that stings Emelianenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Roman Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Cruz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Emelianenko throws out a loose jab but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emelianenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Cruz counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko misses with a hook
and Cruz counters with a straight right hand.
Cruz throws a shot to the body.
Emelianenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Cruz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko missing with a left hand there. Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Emelianenko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Cruz's shoulder, as Cruz tries to avoid the shot.
Emelianenko misses with an uppercut.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cruz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a lazy right hand but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko scores with a nice head shot.
Cruz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelianenko.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko throws an off balance right hand
and Cruz counters with a straight right hand.
Cruz lands a two punch combo.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Emelianenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Emelianenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Cruz throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cruz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emelianenko.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cruz misses with the combination.
A jab from Emelianenko finds it's way through Cruz's defenses.
Emelianenko misses with a hook. Cruz ducked under it nicely.
Emelianenko loads up on a big right hand but Cruz slips the punch.
Emelianenko misses with a hook

and Cruz moves into the clinch.
Emelianenko stalling in the clinch.
Emelianenko prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Cruz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Emelianenko avoids it.
Cruz is stalling here.
Emelianenko tries to circle away but Cruz has him pinned against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko working hard to break the clinch.
Emelianenko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Emelianenko has double underhooks.
Emelianenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the ropes.
Emelianenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Cruz tries to circle away but Emelianenko has him pinned against the ropes.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Emelianenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Emelianenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cruz tries to circle away but Emelianenko has him pinned against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Emelianenko circles away and keeps his distance.
Emelianenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Emelianenko looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
Cruz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Emelianenko.
A slow jab from Emelianenko misses its intended target.
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Emelianenko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cruz on the side of the head.
Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Emelianenko throws out the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz misses with a body kick.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Emelianenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Emelianenko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Roman Emelianenko!
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight for Roman Emelianenko!
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight for Roman Emelianenko!

Roman Emelianenko wins by unanimous decision!