PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ajax Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Armstrong
vs
Cruz

170 cm
25
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

165 cm
24
135 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ajax Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hector Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Armstrong shoots in and bounces Cruz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Armstrong decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Armstrong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Armstrong tries to counter by clinching up but Cruz breaks away and moves out of range.

Armstrong shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cruz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Cruz is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Armstrong presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Armstrong drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cruz pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cruz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Armstrong wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Cruz avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
As Cruz tries to get set, Armstrong tries to push him back and clinch up but Cruz manages to avoid the attempt.
Hector Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Armstrong sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Armstrong. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Armstrong looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ajax Armstrong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hector Cruz.

Cruz clinches up against the cage.
Cruz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Armstrong backwards.

Armstrong has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Cruz regains guard immediately.

Armstrong stands up from Cruz's guard - Armstrong perhaps looking for a knockout.
Armstrong dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Cruz throws a shot from downtown. Armstrong moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a jab when Armstrong was well out of range.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Armstrong counters by clinching up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz looks winded!

Armstrong scores with a takedown into Cruz's guard.

Cruz has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Armstrong is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Armstrong has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cruz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Armstrong tries to score a body lock takedown but Cruz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong gets a double leg takedown into Cruz's guard.

Armstrong stands up from Cruz's guard - Armstrong perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Armstrong seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Armstrong is defended easily by Cruz.
Cruz scoring well with a low kick there.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Armstrong fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.

Cruz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Armstrong was covering up waiting for the punch and Cruz finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Armstrong manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Armstrong is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cruz is defending well.
Cruz prevents the takedown attempt.
Armstrong is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cruz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Armstrong has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cruz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Armstrong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Armstrong has double underhooks.
Cruz wants to break free but Armstrong has control.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Armstrong tries to pull guard but Cruz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Armstrong looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cruz throws a right and a left that Armstrong avoids nicely.
Ajax Armstrong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice sprawl there from Cruz as Armstrong shoots in.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.

Cruz moves into the clinch.
Cruz is trying to drag Armstrong to the mat but Armstrong just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Armstrong gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cruz kicks Armstrong off and gets back to his feet.
Hector Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Armstrong shoots in but no luck this time.
Despite the aggression on Cruz's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Armstrong somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ajax Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Armstrong.

Armstrong decides to stand back up.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Armstrong avoids nicely.
Armstrong tries to counter by clinching up but Cruz breaks away and moves out of range.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Armstrong manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Cruz tries to get set, Armstrong tries to push him back and clinch up but Cruz manages to avoid the attempt.
Cruz tries to bum rush Armstrong with a series of wild strikes but Armstrong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Armstrong closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cruz did well to prevent Armstrong getting side control.
Ajax Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Armstrong decides to stand up.
Armstrong blocks the body kick.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz throws a right hand that Armstrong ducks under and follows up with a left that Armstrong also avoids with ease.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Armstrong goes for a double leg but Cruz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cruz continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.

Armstrong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Armstrong stands up and beckons Cruz to his feet.

Armstrong drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong passes into half guard.

Armstrong decides to return to a standing position.
Cruz stuffs the takedown attempt from Armstrong. Armstrong gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Armstrong wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Armstrong.
Cruz misses with a low kick.
Armstrong is looking to counter the offense by Cruz and move into the clinch.
Cruz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Armstrong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Armstrong avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.

Armstrong feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Armstrong manages to pass to side control.

Armstrong stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Armstrong closes the distance and clinches up with Cruz, looking for a takedown. Armstrong pushes Cruz against the cage but Cruz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Armstrong as he jumps to the side.

Armstrong closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cruz quickly recovers to half guard.

Cruz manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Cruz forces Armstrong back against the cage and clinches.

Armstrong wants the takedown. Cruz is fighting it off but Armstrong persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cruz's guard against the cage.

Cruz scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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 misses with the combination.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Armstrong counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Armstrong goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Armstrong avoids it well.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Armstrong tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cruz manages to circle out of the way.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Armstrong.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ajax Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Armstrong tries to keep at a distance but Cruz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Cruz fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cruz after a bit of a struggle.

Armstrong turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Armstrong decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cruz to his feet.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Armstrong moves out of range easily.
Armstrong is looking to counter the offense by Cruz and move into the clinch.

Armstrong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Armstrong has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Cruz tries to get set, Armstrong tries to push him back and clinch up but Cruz manages to avoid the attempt.

Armstrong looking to score a takedown here. Cruz is defending well but Armstrong drives through and ends up in Cruz's guard.

Cruz wriggles free and stands up.
Cruz throws a right hand that Armstrong ducks under and follows up with a left that Armstrong also avoids with ease.
Cruz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Armstrong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.

Armstrong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cruz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Cruz throws Armstrong to one side and escapes!
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Armstrong dives in for a single leg takedown but Cruz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz misses with an uppercut

and Armstrong counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Armstrong.

Armstrong gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Armstrong is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Cruz manages to get to full guard.
Armstrong trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cruz's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Armstrong wants a takedown.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Jab, jab by Cruz - just one landing.
Cruz misses with a double jab.
Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Armstrong circles away.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cruz as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Armstrong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ajax Armstrong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hector Cruz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Armstrong circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cruz 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Cruz!