PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andre Leftwich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andre Leftwich has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Leftwich
vs
Cruz

186 cm
23
197 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andre Leftwich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Julio Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Leftwich clinches up against the cage.

Leftwich pulls guard effortlessly.
Cruz trying to control but Leftwich is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Leftwich holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Leftwich.

Leftwich looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Leftwich definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Leftwich holds on and takes a little breather.
Cruz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cruz is just content to waste time from the top position. Leftwich takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Leftwich forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Leftwich has picked Cruz up - he's going for a ride! Leftwich dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Leftwich is controlling the pace.

Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Leftwich controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Leftwich.
Leftwich trying to control the pace.

Leftwich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cruz sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Leftwich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cruz sees it coming and defends easily.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Cruz being controlled here, momentarily.
Leftwich working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cruz's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leftwich is stalling in the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leftwich scores with a takedown into Cruz's guard.
Leftwich is in close to Cruz's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Leftwich passes into half guard.
Leftwich takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Leftwich frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Leftwich controlling from mount.
Leftwich wants to take Cruz's back but he can't do it this time.
Cruz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Leftwich has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.
Leftwich looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leftwich is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Leftwich moves into the clinch.
Leftwich tries to land knees in the clinch but Cruz avoids the damage to the body.

Leftwich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leftwich closes the distance and pushes Cruz back into the cage.

Cruz turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Leftwich is trying to get back to half guard.
Leftwich manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Leftwich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Leftwich is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Leftwich is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leftwich decides to stand and escape the position.

Leftwich clinches with his opponent.
Leftwich tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cruz works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leftwich is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Leftwich dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Leftwich takes the fight into the clinch.

Leftwich wants the takedown. Cruz is fighting it off but Leftwich persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cruz's guard against the cage.
Leftwich looking to pass the guard.
Leftwich sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cruz's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Leftwich seems to be looking for submissions.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Cruz has hold of Leftwich's hands but Leftwich slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Leftwich.

Leftwich wants to work for an arm triangle but Cruz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Leftwich is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.

Leftwich seems to be working for a kimura but Cruz defends the submission attempt.
Leftwich is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cruz has a hand on Leftwich's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Leftwich takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Leftwich raining down hammerfists from mount.
Leftwich working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is in all sorts of trouble here.

Leftwich jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cruz is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cruz and Leftwich has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Leftwich controlling from side mount.
Leftwich scoring with punches from side control.
Leftwich creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

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

Leftwich tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Leftwich has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Andre Leftwich!