PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dominick Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lufi Monkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cruz
vs
Monkey

173 cm
20
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
20
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dominick Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lufi Monkey!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz gets caught flat footed, as Monkey shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Monkey from controlling successfully.
Monkey tries to free his leg and advance position but Cruz is retaining full guard.

Monkey drops back, looking for a kneebar! Cruz looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Cruz looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Cruz!
You can see the frustration on Monkey's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cruz gets to mount! Monkey was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz looking for a guillotine from mount but Monkey is having none of it.
Monkey working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Monkey is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Cruz working for a guillotine from mount but Monkey is in no mood to give up.
Monkey is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz working for a submission but Monkey is keeping him at bay.
Monkey is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cruz avoids the attempt from Monkey to control.
Cruz prevents Monkey from getting the reversal.
Monkey tries to hold on but Cruz postures up.
Monkey is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lufi Monkey dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Monkey misses with a wild body shot.

Monkey shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cruz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monkey is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey scoring with some ground and pound.
Monkey postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.
Monkey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Monkey postures up and lands a big shot to Cruz's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monkey is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cruz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cruz has escaped and now he's on top!

Monkey has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cruz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Monkey is trying to keep Cruz in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Monkey is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Monkey tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Monkey is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lufi Monkey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cruz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Monkey to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Monkey drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cruz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Monkey has Cruz in his guard.

Monkey has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.
Lufi Monkey has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monkey working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.

Monkey working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cruz has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monkey looking for submissions off his back.
Monkey is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Monkey is defending well.
Monkey gets full guard.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Monkey trying to control the position.
Cruz passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lufi Monkey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Monkey has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight for Lufi Monkey!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Lufi Monkey!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Lufi Monkey!

Lufi Monkey wins by unanimous decision!