PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cletus Strickland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Devon Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Strickland
vs
Cruz

188 cm
22
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cletus Strickland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Devon Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strickland tries to keep at a distance but Cruz has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Strickland on the inside.

Strickland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cruz thuds his shin into the meat of Strickland's side.

Strickland forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
Cruz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Strickland prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cruz clinches with his opponent.
Strickland misses with a punch to the body.

Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Devon Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strickland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Strickland somewhat.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Strickland avoids it well.
Strickland shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Strickland's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Strickland shoots and misses
and Cruz counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cletus Strickland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strickland takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Strickland shoots in but Cruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cruz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cruz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cruz connects with a high kick.

It looks like Cletus Strickland has been cut.
Cruz scores with a kick to the body.
Strickland is breathing heavily.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Cruz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Strickland 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. Strickland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Cruz instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cruz.

Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Cruz pushes Strickland up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Strickland tries to pull guard but Cruz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz lands with a big left! Strickland is wobbled badly! Cruz comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Strickland to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Devon Cruz!
In his post fight interview, Devon Cruz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.