PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Charley Malice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesus Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesus Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Malice
vs
Cruz

152 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Charley Malice!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jesus Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Cruz misses.

Malice clinches up against the cage.
Malice prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Malice crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.

Cruz breaks from the clinch.
Malice fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz stuffs the takedown.
Malice closes the distance but Cruz moves to the side

and Cruz counters by clinching up.
Cruz is trying to maintain a safe position but Malice gets an underhook and turns Cruz into the cage.

Malice breaks the clinch.
Malice shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Malice's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charley Malice. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Malice swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Cruz gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Malice gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Malice is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
Cruz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Malice tries to hold on but Cruz postures up.
Malice is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.

Malice defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Malice is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Malice and Cruz has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
A control attempt from Malice but he's now mounted!
Cruz avoids the attempt from Malice to control.
Cruz manages to capitalize on a mistake by Malice to take his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Cruz is persistently looking for the submission but Malice is defending it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malice trying to control the action but Cruz just sinks the hooks in.

Cruz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Cruz is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Malice tries to escape the position.
Malice prevents Cruz from getting a body triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malice covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

Malice defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malice is one step ahead there.
Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Malice's guard.
Malice really is a fat lump.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Cruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Malice looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Malice wants to free his trapped foot but Cruz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Malice is posturing up here but Cruz has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Malice tries to roll out but it's too tight and Malice has to tap! Slick submission there by Cruz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jesus Cruz!
After winning the bout, Jesus Cruz thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.