PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cranzinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cranzinski kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Aenima. David has chosen Craig David - Rise and Fall as his entrance music. Craig David struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Cranzinski
vs
David

185 cm
35
200 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

179 cm
34
225 lbs
21 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Cranzinski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig David!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cranzinski lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Craig David has been cut.

Cranzinski moves into range and clinches up with David.
David using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cranzinski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
David looking for a takedown.
David is trying to force a seperation but Cranzinski has the dominant position.
David has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cranzinski after a bit of a struggle.
David jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cranzinski walks away with a smile on his face. David gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Steve Cranzinski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig David.

Cranzinski feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Cranzinski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cranzinski throwing strikes but missing.
David preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cranzinski throwing strikes but missing.
Cranzinski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranzinski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as David works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

David is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cranzinski wants to pass the guard but David is keeping the position.
Cranzinski throws a big right hand that misses.
David utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
David is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cranzinski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Cranzinski got a little sloppy there for a moment and David has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cranzinski has managed to get both his arms back between David's legs - danger averted.
David working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cranzinski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cranzinski postures up in David's guard and throws a big left but David blocks it.
David working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cranzinski.
Cranzinski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cranzinski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
David had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cranzinski defends it easily.
David keeping moving, preventing Cranzinski from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cranzinski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski scoring with some ground and pound.

David has his foot on Cranzinski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cranzinski works his way back into a safe position though.
Cranzinski lands a couple of elbows.
Cranzinski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as David works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cranzinski is in close to David's body, working some short punches and elbows.

David escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cranzinski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cranzinski stands up over David, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
David has momentary wrist control but Cranzinski slips an elbow through the middle.
Cranzinski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cranzinski is working David over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
David thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
David can't keep his opponent in guard - Cranzinski advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cranzinski is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
David has hold of Cranzinski's hands but Cranzinski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
David is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cranzinski scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cranzinski is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Cranzinski lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cranzinski looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks David with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
David is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Cranzinski there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cranzinski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Craig David's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

David takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Cranzinski moves into the clinch.
David is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cranzinski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
David has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cranzinski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
David lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cranzinski backwards.
Cranzinski lands an uppercut.

Cranzinski gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Cranzinski is looking to take a break and control but David is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cranzinski is nestled in close to David, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are battling for position here. David manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
David is looking to stand up but Cranzinski isn't so interested in that idea.
Cranzinski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that David can do to turn this around?
Cranzinski wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cranzinski 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.
Cranzinski sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed David's guard.
David has hold of Cranzinski's hands but Cranzinski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Cranzinski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. David doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cranzinski.
Steve Cranzinski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cranzinski trying to control from half guard but David is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
David regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

David is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cranzinski is aware though and is defending well.
David tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cranzinski looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cranzinski wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
Cranzinski is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because David is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski throwing strikes from guard but David blocks nicely.

David working for a triangle but Cranzinski defends it easily.
Cranzinski throws a big elbow that misses.
Cranzinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cranzinski with a nice head shot there.
Cranzinski throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski trying to control the position from guard on top but David is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

David is looking for a triangle here but Cranzinski uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
David can't do much from the bottom here.

Cranzinski tries for a kimura but David is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
David taking a bit of punishment here - Cranzinski scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cranzinski dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Craig David's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

David keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
David doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Cranzinski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
David keeping moving, preventing Cranzinski from controlling successfully.

David has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cranzinski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cranzinski is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cranzinski trying to control but David is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranzinski scoring with some ground and pound.
Cranzinski pushing down on David's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
David is refusing to be controlled, as Cranzinski sits in half guard.
Cranzinski takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cranzinski lands strikes from half guard.
David is staying active underneath Cranzinski, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cranzinski lands strikes from half guard.
Cranzinski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
David wants to improve his position but Cranzinski is controlling well.
David takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cranzinski wants to lay and pray for a moment but David keeps working.
Cranzinski looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks David with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cranzinski in particular looking to stall.
Cranzinski winds up and cracks David with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Well, if Cranzinski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cranzinski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but David does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David wants to control but Cranzinski is keeping busy.
Cranzinski slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Steve Cranzinski.

Cranzinski has closed the distance and engaged David in a clinch.
David takes a knee right on the jaw!

That has opened up Craig David's cut even more.

Cranzinski is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. David can't fight it off and eventually Cranzinski manages to take the fight to the floor. David looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cranzinski lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski chips away with some ground and pound.
Cranzinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cranzinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
David controls Cranzinski momentarily but Cranzinski frees himself.
Cranzinski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as David works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cranzinski throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
David throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

David has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cranzinski is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for David.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cranzinski clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Craig David's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cranzinski throws a series of punches but David avoids them all with ease.
David misses with a takedown attempt - Cranzinski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
David is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cranzinski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cranzinski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cranzinski scores with a nice body kick.
Cranzinski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cranzinski wants it to stay on the feet.
Steve Cranzinski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig David.
David is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cranzinski scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cranzinski drops David with a beautiful combination! David stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Cranzinski is looking for the KO!

David is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cranzinski lands with a precision combination! Left, right, uppercut and David falls flat on his face, eyes wide open but he's out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:15 of round 4, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Steve Cranzinski!
Steve Cranzinski is the new light heavyweight champion!
Steve Cranzinski seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.