PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amat Kopitar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz comes into the arena with CALIFORNIA LOVE by Tupac ft. Dr. Dre blaring out of the sound system. Gabriel Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Kopitar

173 cm
18
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gabriel Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Amat Kopitar!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kopitar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kopitar should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kopitar takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cruz!

It looks like Amat Kopitar has been cut.

Cruz cracks Kopitar with an uppercut from hell and Kopitar crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Cruz's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Kopitar is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Kopitar looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Kopitar is still in real trouble! Can Cruz finish him?
Cruz passes into half guard.

Cruz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kopitar seems to have recovered his senses.
Kopitar avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cruz.

Kopitar is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruz.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kopitar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cruz is working away from the top position though.

Cruz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopitar is in trouble now - Cruz has advanced to mount!
Cruz looking to control but Kopitar is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Cruz wants to finish this one by submission but Kopitar is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cruz.
Kopitar wants to control but Cruz is having none of it.
Kopitar looks winded!

Cruz jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kopitar manages to avoid the submission attempt.
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!

Cruz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kopitar, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kopitar knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kopitar is not content to let Cruz control the position.

Cruz is trying to get an arm triangle but Kopitar is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Cruz in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Kopitar is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gabriel Cruz!
Gabriel Cruz gave a mention to KAISER in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).