PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cruz Ellis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roldo Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roldo Hayes has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Ellis
vs
Hayes

153 cm
20
151 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

160 cm
27
150 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cruz Ellis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roldo Hayes!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hayes instigates a clinch.
Ellis could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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

Ellis gets caught flat footed, as Hayes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ellis has control of Hayes's left arm, preventing Hayes from doing any damage.
Hayes preventing the sweep.
Ellis pulls Hayes in to control the position.
Ellis keeping moving, preventing Hayes from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ellis managing to control the position.
Hayes won't allow Ellis to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellis pulls Hayes in close to his closed guard and prevents Hayes from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ellis.

Hayes tries to keep at a distance but Ellis has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hayes jumps guard.
Hayes looks winded!
Hayes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ellis lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes wants to stand but Ellis is controlling the position.
Ellis throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ellis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hayes is looking to stand up but Ellis isn't so interested in that idea.
Hayes wants to control the position but Ellis says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Ellis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hayes is just riding it out for now. Ellis eventually gives up the hold.
Hayes trying to hold on to Ellis's head to control him but Ellis postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hayes defending well though.

Ellis is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hayes sees it coming and defends easily.

Hayes is defending against the submission attempts here by Ellis.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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.
Ellis scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ellis lands a nice short elbow.
Hayes is looking for a sweep. Ellis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ellis is looking to take a break and control but Hayes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ellis is out of range and Hayes settles back down.

Hayes feints and as Ellis raises his hands in defense, Hayes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cruz Ellis 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.

Ellis gets a clinch.
Ellis avoiding damage.
Hayes is trying to break the clinch but Ellis is controlling him.
Ellis scores with a shoulder strike.
Hayes wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellis won't allow it.

Hayes wants the takedown. Ellis is fighting it off but Hayes persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ellis's guard against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ellis holds on and takes a little breather.
Ellis keeping moving, preventing Hayes from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes is breathing heavily.
Ellis is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ellis has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Roldo Hayes has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Hayes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Ellis wriggles free and stands up.
Ellis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hayes backs up against the cage.

Hayes gets the takedown into side control.
Ellis keeps Hayes under control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellis tries to improve position but can't.
Ellis can't do much from the bottom here.

Hayes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ellis to his feet.

Hayes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ellis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hayes is in Ellis's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hayes is fighting to break Ellis's control of his arms but Ellis is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cruz Ellis dominated that second round.
That's time! Ellis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hayes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ellis desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Hayes trying to control from Ellis's half guard. Ellis has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Ellis has control of Hayes's left arm, preventing Hayes from doing any damage.
Hayes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayes wants to pass the guard but Ellis is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellis has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hayes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hayes misses with a double jab
and Ellis counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hayes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ellis. Ellis obviously looking to wear him down.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A jab from Hayes misses.

Hayes gets tackled into the cage by Ellis. Ellis maintains the clinch.
Ellis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hayes smiles and moves away.
Ellis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And Hayes tries to counter it with a takedown but Ellis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cruz Ellis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ellis takes a swing at Hayes's ribcage but misses.

Hayes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellis is trying is best to control the position here.
Hayes is looking to take a break and control but Ellis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ellis is holding on to half guard well.
Ellis is looking to improve his position.

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.
Ellis is staying active underneath Hayes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ellis tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ellis is controlling Hayes's position as best he can from this difficult position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Roldo Hayes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hayes fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ellis to the ground. Hayes is now in Ellis's guard.
Cruz Ellis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayes throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roldo Hayes.
I think Ellis has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Cruz Ellis!