PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and PJ Benn (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.

Cruz
vs
Benn

176 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ricardo Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, PJ Benn!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cruz prevents Benn from improving his position.
Benn is trying to control but can't.

Benn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cruz tries to stand but can't do so whilst Benn controls his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Benn.
Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn has a closed guard, preventing Cruz from standing up.
Benn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.
Cruz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Benn on the ground.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Benn from controlling successfully.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Benn trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Benn seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. PJ Benn wasn't active enough on the ground.

Cruz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Benn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Benn is retaining full guard.

Benn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.
Cruz preventing the sweep.

Benn pushes a forearm under Cruz's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Cruz is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). PJ Benn!
During a confident post fight interview, PJ Benn thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.