PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tomas Lindberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dom Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lindberg comes to the cage accompanied by At The Gates - The Book of Sand. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lindberg
vs
Cruz

169 cm
20
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
144 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

M.O. Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tomas Lindberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dom Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Cruz as he connects with a hook.
Good exchange - Cruz coming out on top.
Cruz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Lindberg.
Lindberg misses with a looping left.
Lindberg checks a low kick from Cruz.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lindberg.
Lindberg on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lindberg scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lindberg scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lindberg on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lindberg slips a jab from Cruz.
Lindberg gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lindberg checks a leg kick.
Lindberg misses the jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Lindberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Cruz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lindberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lindberg takes one to the side of the head.
Lindberg is looking to clinch.
Lindberg throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lindberg's head.
Cruz has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Lindberg scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
And Cruz tries to counter it with a takedown but Lindberg pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lindberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lindberg has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Cruz dives in and scores a takedown into Lindberg's guard.
Cruz with a nice head shot there.
Cruz is in close to Lindberg's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lindberg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz throws a big elbow that misses.
Lindberg can't keep his opponent in guard - Cruz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lindberg is looking to escape.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lindberg does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lindberg is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lindberg tries to get out of the position.
Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lindberg's head.
Lindberg is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cruz drops an elbow to the side of Lindberg's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Cruz.
Cruz controlling the pace.
Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lindberg is looking to escape.
Cruz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Cruz is nestled in close to Lindberg, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lindberg is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Cruz tries to pass to full mount but Lindberg defends it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cruz in particular looking to stall.
Lindberg knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cruz on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lindberg with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lindberg blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.
Lindberg wants to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Cruz there.
Lindberg is trying to stand up here but Cruz is controlling him well.
Lindberg blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.
Lindberg wants to get back to his feet.
Cruz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cruz prevents Lindberg from standing back up.
Cruz lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz working over Lindberg with some ground and pound. Lindberg looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cruz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz is looking to advance position but Lindberg won't allow it.
Cruz prevents Lindberg from standing back up.
Cruz working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cruz is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Cruz is looking to stall here but Lindberg recovers full guard.
Cruz postures up and lands a big shot to Lindberg's brow.
Lindberg wants to stand but Cruz is controlling the position.
Cruz trying to control but Lindberg is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lindberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lindberg lands a glancing blow to the side of Cruz's head.
Lindberg looks to land a right hand but Cruz moved out of range.
Cruz drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lindberg defends it well.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Lindberg.
Lindberg takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lindberg looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lindberg blocks a jab.
Cruz throws out a powerful jab.
Lindberg connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz wants to slow Lindberg down by chopping away at his legs.
Dom Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz misses with a double jab.
Lindberg takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lindberg.
Lindberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Lindberg throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lindberg takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A jab from Lindberg misses.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lindberg lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindberg misses with a hook.
Lindberg moves away from the strike by Cruz.
Lindberg misses with a wild body shot.
A cross from Cruz lands.
Lindberg takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cruz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lindberg is out of range and Cruz settles back down.
Dom Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lindberg misses with an uppercut.
Lindberg walks into a straight right hand from Cruz.
Cruz slips under a jab.
The crowd cheers as Cruz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lindberg doesn't seem phased though.
Cruz staying out of range there.
Cruz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cruz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz scores with a three punch combo!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lindberg feints a jab promting Cruz to slip. Lindberg then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cruz slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Lindberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
Tomas Lindberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A clash of legs there as Lindberg blocks the low kick.
Cruz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz jabs Lindberg to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lindberg throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Cruz feints a counter leg kick.
No joy there for Lindberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cruz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindberg swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like Lindberg was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cruz.
Lindberg checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big left from Lindberg misses.
Cruz scores with a decent looking hook.
Cruz staying out of range there.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lindberg scores with a punch to the head.
Lindberg cracks Cruz with a good jab.
Lindberg takes one to the chin there.
Cruz misses with a leg kick.
Cruz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lindberg backs up against the cage.

Lindberg has managed to clinch.
A short uppercut from Lindberg.
Lindberg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lindberg scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Lindberg misses with a punch on the inside.
Lindberg looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Lindberg is working Cruz over against the cage.
Lindberg tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Lindberg back against the cage.
Cruz wants to break free but Lindberg has control.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cruz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lindberg is defending well for now.
Cruz tries to score a body lock takedown but Lindberg shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tomas Lindberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lindberg lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lindberg lands with a hook. Cruz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lindberg avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Lindberg throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Lindberg is just out of range.
Lindberg just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz connects with the punch.
Lindberg connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cruz.
Lindberg doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Lindberg connects with a looping right hand.

Cruz clinches.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Lindberg moved out of range nicely.
Lindberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lindberg, as that shot connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lindberg as he jumps to the side.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lindberg appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dom Cruz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lindberg drives through and clinches with Cruz against the cage.

Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lindberg swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lindberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lindberg misses with a wild body shot.
Lindberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lindberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lindberg getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
An inside leg kick from Cruz misses.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Cruz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindberg takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lindberg misses with a few strikes there.
Lindberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cruz, as that shot connected.
Lindberg throws a jab when Cruz was well out of range.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz throws a hook but Lindberg blocks it.
Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lindberg.
Cruz lands a nice looking body shot.
Lindberg ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Lindberg takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cruz walks into a straight right hand from Lindberg.
Cruz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lindberg.
Cruz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Lindberg blocks a jab.
Lindberg just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Lindberg misses.
Cruz fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lindberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.

Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Lindberg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lindberg.
Lindberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lindberg misses with a body shot.
Lindberg lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindberg swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Lindberg.
Cruz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lindberg in his tracks.
Some wild striking there from Lindberg.
The fighters circling - Lindberg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lindberg misses with a hook. Cruz ducked under it nicely.
Cruz throws out a counter right but Lindberg avoids it with no problem.
Well,Lindberg is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Lindberg throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Dom Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lindberg misses with a hook.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lindberg with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cruz to score with a decent uppercut.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Lindberg.
Cruz works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg connects with a body shot.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Lindberg moves out of range easily.
Cruz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lindberg on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cruz moves away from the strike by Lindberg.
Lindberg throws a lazy right hand but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tomas Lindberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Lindberg drives through and clinches with Cruz against the cage.
Lindberg lands a left hand.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Lindberg has the dominant position.
Lindberg lands a right hand.
Lindberg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Lindberg has the dominant position.
Lindberg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz scores with a sloppy right hand. Lindberg should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cruz throws a combination that misses
and Lindberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Cruz is rocked!

Lindberg forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
Cruz is still on wobbly legs! Can Lindberg finish him?
Lindberg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cruz's elbow.
Lindberg lands a body shot in the clinch.
Cruz seems to have recovered his senses.
Lindberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tomas Lindberg has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lindberg struggles to land a body shot inside as Cruz controls his hands.
Lindberg lands a body punch.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lindberg fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lindberg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lindberg on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Lindberg.
Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Lindberg wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz misses with a combination
enabling Lindberg to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomas Lindberg showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cruz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Dom Cruz!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Dom Cruz!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Dom Cruz!

Dom Cruz wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Dom Cruz, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.