PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Hurst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephen Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hurst
vs
Cruz

171 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steven Hurst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Cruz!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hurst is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hurst sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Hurst displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.

Hurst fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Cruz to the ground. Hurst is now in Cruz's guard.
Hurst is standing up over Cruz. Cruz looks to escape but Hurst dives into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hurst really is a fat lump.
Cruz trying to control but Hurst flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz avoids the strikes from Hurst.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hurst is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cruz knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cruz for a finish.
Hurst not allowing Cruz to control his hands.
Cruz is trying to get back to his feet but Hurst has full control of the position and if anything, Cruz has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cruz trying to control but not successfully.

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.
What can Cruz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Hurst is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Hurst scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Cruz is looking for a way out.
Hurst controlling well, preventing Cruz from escaping the position.
Hurst throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz rolls, trying to escape but Hurst keeps control of the position.
Hurst controls the position.
Hurst is not going to allow Cruz to sit and survive in this position.
Will Hurst go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Cruz rolls, trying to escape but Hurst keeps control of the position.
Good control from Hurst.

That's four 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.
Cruz trying to control the position but Hurst manages to sink in the hooks.
Hurst throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Hurst patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Cruz looks winded!

Stephen Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cruz is still trying to improve position.

Cruz is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Hurst seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cruz for as long as he can get away with.