PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joey Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donnie Brasco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donnie Brasco has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joey Cruz's chin.

Cruz
vs
Brasco

157 cm
18
130 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

225 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joey Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Donnie Brasco!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Cruz misses

and Brasco counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Brasco.
Cruz looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Brasco drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brasco is looking to take this one to the mat.
Brasco has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cruz after a bit of a struggle.
Joey Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donnie Brasco.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Brasco has the dominant position.
Brasco prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Brasco is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Brasco is trying to pull guard but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cruz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz takes a shot to the head.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Brasco has double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cruz.
Cruz is trying to push Brasco away but Brasco has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Brasco tries for a takedown. No joy.

Brasco ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Brasco no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Cruz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Brasco manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick
and Brasco counters with a nice body kick.
Cruz closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Brasco to counter with a crisp jab.
Brasco lands a head kick!
Cruz misses with an uppercut
and Brasco counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Brasco buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Brasco gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Brasco lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Brasco breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Brasco tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
A combination from Cruz does no damage.
Cruz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Brasco.
Joey Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brasco looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brasco tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brasco shoots in but no luck this time.
Brasco fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Brasco moves out of range easily.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Brasco moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brasco is defended easily by Cruz.
Brasco closes the distance and clinches up with Cruz, looking for a takedown. Brasco pushes Cruz against the cage but Cruz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Brasco has managed to clinch.
The referee calls for Brasco to work.
Brasco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a punch on the inside.
Brasco is trying to drag Cruz to the mat but Cruz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cruz wants to break free but Brasco has control.

Cruz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cruz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Brasco rushes Cruz and presses him up against the cage.

Brasco pulls Cruz into guard.
Brasco trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
Brasco seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Brasco wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Cruz works over Brasco with some ground and pound from guard.
Cruz throws a big elbow that misses.
Cruz postures up in Brasco's guard and throws a big left but Brasco blocks it.
Brasco trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
Brasco looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cruz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brasco looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cruz postures up in Brasco's guard and throws a big left but Brasco blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Brasco dominated that round.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cruz misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Cruz.
Brasco circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Brasco moves out of range easily.
Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Brasco shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Brasco's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brasco.
Joey Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donnie Brasco.
Brasco shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cruz but Cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Brasco shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brasco's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brasco fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cruz lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Brasco throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Cruz takes one to the side of the head.
Brasco shoots in for a double leg but Cruz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cruz tries to clinch but Brasco is having none of it.
Joey Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brasco fails to land the takedown.
Cruz cracks Brasco with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Left hook, right uppercut from Brasco.
Cruz moves in looking to clinch but Brasco pushes him off.
Cruz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Brasco in his tracks.
Brasco shoots for a takedown but Cruz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brasco throws a sloppy head kick and Cruz moves out of range easily.

Cruz instigates a clinch.
Cruz tries to break free but Brasco pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brasco breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz misses with a series of wild punches.
Cruz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brasco.
Brasco tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
Brasco fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cruz avoids it really well and circles away.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Donnie Brasco seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses
and Brasco counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cruz misses with the combination.
Brasco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Brasco moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
Brasco misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joey Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Brasco.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Brasco darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
Cruz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cruz has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Brasco jumps guard but Cruz stands there with Brasco around his waist. Brasco gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brasco dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cruz. That did some damage!
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz has managed to clinch.
Brasco'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.
Brasco goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cruz prevents it.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Brasco fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz tries a knee to the head but Brasco blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brasco jumps guard but Cruz stands there with Brasco around his waist. Brasco gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Brasco jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cruz walks away with a smile on his face. Brasco gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
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 Joey Cruz will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Brasco avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Brasco. Cruz shrugs it off though.
Cruz misses with the combination.

Brasco moves into the clinch successfully.

Brasco pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick from Brasco lands but Cruz takes it in his stride.
Cruz throws a lazy head kick
letting Brasco counter with a right hand.
Brasco misses with a two punch combination.

Brasco gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cruz takes a shot to the head.

Cruz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Brasco stuns Cruz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Brasco jabs Cruz right on the nose. Cruz blinks but takes it well.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Brasco.
Nice defenses there by Brasco.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brasco fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Brasco moves out of range easily.
Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brasco looks for a takedown but Cruz sprawls well.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Brasco shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Brasco was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cruz is trying to buck Brasco off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brasco tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brasco controls the position.
Brasco trying to control the action but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Brasco is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee asks Brasco politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Brasco prefers to stall for the moment though.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Donnie Brasco wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cruz throws a lazy head kick
and Brasco counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Brasco moves out of range easily.
Brasco connects with a leg kick. Cruz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Cruz gets tackled into the cage by Brasco. Brasco maintains the clinch.
Cruz lands an elbow just above Brasco 's eye.

Brasco escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brasco slips a jab from Cruz.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Brasco explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Brasco looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cruz is fending him off so far but Brasco persists. Nope, Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.
Joey Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donnie Brasco.
Cruz tries to clinch but Brasco is having none of it.
Brasco tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brasco shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense.
Brasco looks to land a body kick but Cruz moved away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Brasco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Brasco has a takedown stuffed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie Brasco comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Brasco 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie Brasco!