PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wrestler Experiment (ranked 6549 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Cruz (ranked 6868 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Experiment
vs
Cruz

168 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Wrestler Experiment!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mark Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz tries to clinch there but Experiment circles away.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Experiment circles away.
Cruz tries to clinch but Experiment is having none of it.
Experiment shoots in for a double leg but Cruz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Experiment throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Experiment is in Cruz's guard.
Experiment trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Experiment stays in close to Cruz's body and controls the position.
Experiment postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Experiment throwing strikes but missing.
Experiment trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cruz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Experiment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Experiment cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.
Experiment wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Experiment wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
Cruz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Experiment. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cruz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Experiment working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Experiment postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Experiment from controlling successfully.
Experiment is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cruz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cruz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Experiment lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Experiment is stalling in the full guard.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Experiment postures up.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Experiment from controlling successfully.
Experiment content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Experiment has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Experiment stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Experiment's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Experiment chips away with some ground and pound.
Experiment landing some decent shots from guard.
Experiment trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Experiment controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Experiment connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Experiment throws a big elbow that misses.
Experiment working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Experiment might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Experiment works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Experiment is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Experiment stands up over Cruz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Experiment in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Experiment scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Experiment connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrestler Experiment dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cruz slaps away a takedown attempt from Experiment, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Cruz gets caught flat footed, as Experiment shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Experiment throws a strike but Cruz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Experiment trying to control the position.
Experiment looking for a sweep. Not yet Experiment, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Cruz forces Experiment back against the cage and clinches.
Experiment takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz stalling against the cage.
The referee calls for Cruz to work.
Cruz receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Cruz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cruz prevents the takedown attempt.
Cruz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cruz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
Experiment wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Experiment is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cruz works on Experiment's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cruz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Experiment taking a breather.
Experiment seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Cruz is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Cruz is pushing Experiment up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cruz continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for Cruz to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz stalling in the clinch but Experiment improves position.
Cruz taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mark Cruz.
Cruz wants to clinch.
Experiment ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Experiment changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Experiment fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wrestler Experiment. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Experiment tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Experiment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Experiment circles away.
Experiment has a takedown stuffed.

Experiment drives through with a takedown into Cruz's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cruz is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Experiment dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Check out the look on Experiment's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
A lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cruz wants to clinch.
Experiment gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cruz counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The referee calls for Experiment to work.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cruz as Experiment tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Experiment takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cruz stops a takedown attempt from Experiment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cruz stalling against the cage.
Cruz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cruz stalls.
Cruz presses Experiment against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Experiment's face.
Experiment takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Experiment looking to slow down the pace here.
Wrestler Experiment has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Experiment looking to slow down the pace here.
Cruz content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Experiment is trying to stall.
Experiment misses with an elbow strike.
Mark Cruz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Experiment as Cruz tries to tie him up.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cruz.
Cruz with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Experiment misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Experiment's face.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz gets underhooks to prevent Experiment's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wrestler Experiment. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Cruz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Experiment up against the cage.
Experiment misses with a knee strike.
Cruz tries to stall but Experiment uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Experiment is trying to stall.
Experiment is looking to control Cruz's arms but Cruz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Experiment has his back to the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cruz controlling the action here for a moment.
Cruz is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mark Cruz.
Cruz tries to clinch but Experiment is having none of it.
Experiment darts in looking for a takedown but Cruz gets double underhooks and turns Experiment into the cage.

Cruz closes the distance and pushes Experiment back into the cage.
Experiment has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cruz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Experiment looking to slow down the pace here.
Mark Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Paul Gruel scores the fight for Mark Cruz!
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Mark Cruz!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for Mark Cruz!

Mark Cruz wins by unanimous decision!