PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Swen Hanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Cruz looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Hanson
vs
Cruz

204 cm
25
198 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Swen Hanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Josh Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz throws the kick towards the body but Hanson avoids it.
Cruz 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.
Hanson misses with a takedown attempt

and Cruz counters with a head kick that drops Hanson to the mat! Hanson scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Hanson is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hanson drives through and clinches with Cruz against the cage.
Oh Hanson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hanson working hard to break the clinch.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but Hanson blocks it.
Cruz tries to land knees in the clinch but Hanson avoids the damage to the body.
Hanson seems to have got his legs back now.
Hanson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hanson managing to block the knees to the body from Cruz.
Cruz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hanson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hanson to keep the fight standing.
Cruz lands an elbow inside that Hanson shrugs off.

Cruz decides to pull guard.

Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cruz looks winded!

Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cruz is striking off his back. Hanson thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Cruz felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Hanson controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cruz for as long as he can get away with.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hanson pulls his head out easily.
Hanson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hanson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Cruz!
Hanson controlling the pace for now.
Cruz is squirming around, avoiding Hanson's attempts to control the action.
Cruz is looking to get to half guard.
Hanson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hanson has hold of Cruz's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cruz manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Cruz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Hanson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cruz advances to half guard.
Hanson trying to control but Cruz postures up.
Hanson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hanson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cruz preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hanson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hanson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hanson!
Hanson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Hanson controls the position from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cruz is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hanson controls the position from side control.
Hanson is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Swen Hanson just wasn't active enough.
Hanson shoots and misses

and Cruz counters by moving into the clinch.
Hanson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hanson jumps guard but Cruz stands there with Hanson around his waist. Hanson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Swen Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanson tries to score a body lock takedown but Cruz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knees to the body from Cruz.
Hanson avoids a wild elbow strike from Cruz.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but Hanson blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hanson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Cruz.
Cruz lands a high kick!
Hanson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hanson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hanson somewhat.

Hanson moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.
Hanson is trying to pull guard but Cruz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hanson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cruz misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Cruz manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanson passes Cruz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hanson prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Hanson not doing much here.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hanson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cruz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hanson.

Hanson stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Swen Hanson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cruz avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Swen Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz tries to clinch but Hanson is having none of it.
Cruz swats away the attempt to clinch by Hanson.
Cruz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hanson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cruz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cruz.
Cruz with a knee to the head.

Hanson jumps guard and drags Cruz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hanson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a strike but Hanson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cruz throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Cruz working for submissions but it's allowed Hanson to get to half guard.
Hanson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hanson pulls his head out easily.
Hanson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cruz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanson slows the pace down in half guard.

Cruz looking for submissions off his back.
Hanson controlling the action here.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz keeps trying to improve his position.
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 Swen Hanson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Hanson lands a nice shot that snaps Cruz's head back.
Hanson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to avoid it but Hanson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cruz to the ground. Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hanson blocks a head kick by Cruz.
Cruz swats away the attempt to clinch by Hanson.
Hanson tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hanson is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Hanson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Hanson.

It looks like Josh Cruz has been cut.
Some wild striking there from Hanson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hanson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Swen Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Cruz.
No luck for Hanson with that takedown attempt.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Hanson avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Hanson connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson moves out of range as Cruz throws a body kick.
Cruz goes for a double leg but Hanson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hanson continues to drive forward.
Cruz tries to land a knee to the head but Hanson blocks with his arms.
Hanson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Hanson jumps into guard, dragging Cruz to the mat.
Cruz postures up.
Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hanson controlling Cruz's posture.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hanson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cruz passes Hanson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hanson's head.
Hanson wants to get back to his feet.
Hanson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Cruz uses his free foot to push down on Hanson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hanson.
Hanson stops Cruz from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Cruz landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz goes for an armbar but Hanson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Hanson.
Hanson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Swen Hanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hanson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hanson stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.

Hanson stands up and waves to Cruz to follow him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanson fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Swen Hanson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hanson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Swen Hanson!