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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romero comes to the cage accompanied by Lords Of Salem . Santa Cruz has chosen 50 cent P.I.M.P as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 177 cm
33
160 lbs
22 - 17 - 1 |
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180 cm
39
170 lbs
33 - 29 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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
22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Nicodemo Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
33 - 29 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Santa Cruz!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santa Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Romero sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Romero lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Santa Cruz has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Romero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Santa Cruz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Santa Cruz takes the fight into the clinch.
Romero throws an elbow but it misses.
Santa Cruz has Romero pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Santa Cruz pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Romero tumbling to the mat - Santa Cruz dives into Romero's guard.
Romero pulls Santa Cruz in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santa Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Romero pulls Santa Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
Santa Cruz trying to control but Romero is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz throws a strike but Romero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Santa Cruz wants to stand but Romero is controlling the position.
Romero sitting in guard, not really doing much.
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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Romero trying to control the position from guard on top but Santa Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Santa Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Romero is just out of range.
Santa Cruz lands with a nice body kick.
Romero fails in his attempt to clinch.
Romero tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Santa Cruz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Romero gets tackled into the cage by Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz maintains the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Romero.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Romero is defending well.
Romero misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Santa Cruz creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Romero lands a left hand.
Santa Cruz blocks an uppercut.
Romero misses with a body punch.
Romero lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Santa Cruz.
Romero scores with a nice hook to the head.
Romero lands a body shot in the clinch.
Romero throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Santa Cruz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Romero backwards.
Romero misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Santa Cruz blocks an uppercut.
Romero tries to throw a body punch but Santa Cruz avoids it by throwing Romero back against the cage.
Santa Cruz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romero misses with an elbow over the top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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!
Romero lands a right hand that snaps the head of Santa Cruz backwards.
Romero lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Romero tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Santa Cruz's elbow.
A short left from Romero.
Our sources have told us that Romero has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Santa Cruz lands an uppercut.
Romero struggles to land a body shot inside as Santa Cruz controls his hands.
Romero lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Santa Cruz lands with a right to the head.
Romero is pressed up against the cage. Santa Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Romero down to the mat. Romero avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Santa Cruz.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A jab from Romero misses.
Santa Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Santa Cruz fails with the takedown
and Romero counters with a stiff right hand.
Romero tries to clinch there but Santa Cruz circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Romero misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nicodemo Romero dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
A nice combination there by Romero.
Romero takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
That kick from Santa Cruz tenderised Romero's leg. Romero is trying to keep his angry face on.
Romero has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Santa Cruz finds it's way round the side to connect with Romero's head.
Romero throws a hook to the side of Santa Cruz's head but Santa Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Romero misses.
Romero takes the fight into the clinch.
Romero tries to throw a body punch but Santa Cruz avoids it by throwing Romero back against the cage.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Santa Cruz controls the action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Romero just misses with a elbow thrown towards Santa Cruz's brow.
Santa Cruz throws a punch but it's blocked by Romero.
Santa Cruz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Romero blocking some punches.
Romero lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero lands an elbow just above Santa Cruz 's eye.
Romero lands a left hand that snaps the head of Santa Cruz backwards.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Romero lands a right hand that snaps the head of Santa Cruz backwards.
Santa Cruz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Santa Cruz working aggressively here.
Santa Cruz dodges an elbow strike from Romero.
Romero swings wildly with an uppercut but Santa Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Romero just misses with a elbow thrown towards Santa Cruz's brow.
Romero creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Romero is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santa Cruz can do to turn this around?
A short uppercut from Romero.
Romero is fighting off a takedown attempt but Santa Cruz is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Romero to the mat. Romero regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Santa Cruz trying to control but Romero is working from the bottom.
Santa Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Romero is on top in guard.
Santa Cruz wants to stand and escape but Romero is having none of it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero stays in close to Santa Cruz's body and controls the position.
Santa Cruz wants to stand up but Romero is controlling him.
Romero controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Romero won't allow Santa Cruz to get back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Santa Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Santa Cruz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Santa Cruz gets a clinch.
Romero lands an elbow inside that Santa Cruz shrugs off.
Santa Cruz presses Romero against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Santa Cruz gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Romero regains guard.
Romero is controlling Santa Cruz's posture.
Santa Cruz won't allow Romero to sweep him here.
Santa Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero pulls Santa Cruz in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santa Cruz throwing strikes from guard but Romero blocks nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero trying to control the position.
Romero has Santa Cruz pulled in close to control his posture.
Santa Cruz throwing strikes but missing.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Romero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Santa Cruz throws out the jab.
Romero connects with a jab.
Santa Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Romero.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santa Cruz scores with a shoulder strike.
Nicodemo Romero has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Romero lands a nice elbow.
Santa Cruz blocks the elbow strike.
Santa Cruz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romero's elbow.
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 Nicodemo Romero will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
A leg kick checked by Romero.
Romero takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Romero lands with a hook. Santa Cruz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Romero ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Romero wants to clinch.
A left lands for Romero.
Nicodemo Romero is winning the standup battle so far.
Romero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Santa Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero misses with a short punch on the inside.
Santa Cruz has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Romero regains guard immediately.
Romero pulls Santa Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Romero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romero has control of Santa Cruz's left arm, preventing Santa Cruz from doing any damage.
Romero is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santa Cruz is fighting to break Romero's control of his arms but Romero is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Santa Cruz stands up over Romero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Romero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Romero is trying to keep Santa Cruz in close.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Romero tries to clinch there but Santa Cruz circles away.
Santa Cruz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Santa Cruz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Santa Cruz tries to keep at a distance but Romero has taken the fight into the clinch.
Romero misses with a hook to the ribs.
Romero throws a punch but it's blocked by Santa Cruz.
Romero lands an elbow inside that Santa Cruz shrugs off.
Romero tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Romero gets underhooks to prevent Santa Cruz's takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Santa Cruz fails to land.
Santa Cruz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Romero.
Santa Cruz wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Santa Cruz.
The referee is keeping an eye on Santa Cruz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Santa Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rafael Santa Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santa Cruz avoids a wild elbow strike from Romero.
A short left from Santa Cruz.
Romero lands a damaging elbow.
Romero tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Romero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Romero working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A shot in the inside from Santa Cruz.
Romero tries to work over Santa Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santa Cruz blocks an elbow strike from Romero.
Santa Cruz has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Romero after a bit of a struggle.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz presses Romero against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Santa Cruz lands a hook to the side of the head.
Santa Cruz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Santa Cruz controls the action.
Romero tries to throw a body punch but Santa Cruz avoids it by throwing Romero back against the cage.
Santa Cruz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Romero backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santa Cruz blocks the elbow strike.
Santa Cruz blocks a body shot from Romero.
Romero swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Santa Cruz is looking for a takedown.
Romero blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Romero misses with some punches.
Santa Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romero working aggressively here.
Santa Cruz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Romero lands a right hand that snaps the head of Santa Cruz backwards.
A short left from Romero.
Santa Cruz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Romero.
Romero creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short right from Santa Cruz.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nicodemo Romero showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Romero, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicodemo Romero!
Nicodemo Romero gave a mention to Fury Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
52% |
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