PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jamil Westwood (ranked 3908 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roderick Cruickshank (ranked 6119 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Westwood
vs
Cruickshank

192 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 4 - 1

178 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 2 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jamil Westwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roderick Cruickshank !
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruickshank bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Westwood is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cruickshank 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Westwood is doing well to control the position and prevent Cruickshank from advancing to side control.

Cruickshank is working for a kimura but Westwood is defending it quite comfortably.
Cruickshank stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Westwood looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westwood punching from the bottom.
Cruickshank trying to control from half guard but Westwood is working away.
Westwood is trying to get back to full guard.
Cruickshank slows the pace down in half guard.

Cruickshank is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two 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.
Westwood won't allow Cruickshank to pass to mount.
Cruickshank wants to lay and pray for a moment but Westwood keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cruickshank lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Westwood shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruickshank tries to sprawl out of it but Westwood keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cruickshank manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Cruickshank with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruickshank with a poor takedown

and Westwood counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Westwood blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Westwood gets control of Cruickshank 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Westwood will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Westwood working for submissions but it's allowed Cruickshank to get to half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Westwood looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Westwood is looking to control Cruickshank 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Westwood avoid being mounted?
Westwood is positioning himself well to prevent Cruickshank advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westwood is trying to stand.
Cruickshank wants to take a breather but Westwood is having none of it.
Cruickshank works his way into side control.
Cruickshank is looking to take a break and control but Westwood is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cruickshank is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Westwood can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roderick Cruickshank dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cruickshank closes this distance looking for a takedown but Westwood circles away.
Cruickshank shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Westwood as he avoids it easily.
Cruickshank tries for a takedown but Westwood circles away easily
and Westwood counters with a three punch combo that has Cruickshank backing up. Cruickshank nods at Westwood to acknowledge the strikes.
Jamil Westwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roderick Cruickshank .
Westwood moves out of range as Cruickshank throws a body kick.
Cruickshank tries a head kick but it misses.
Westwood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Westwood wants it to stay on the feet.

Westwood has managed to clinch.
Westwood really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Westwood fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruickshank drags the fight down to the ground.
Cruickshank is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Westwood dives into side control.
Cruickshank is looking to regain half guard here but Westwood keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westwood is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Cruickshank is looking to reverse the position.
Westwood throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Cruickshank is looking for a sweep.

Westwood decides to stand back up.
Cruickshank is looking to chop away at Westwood's legs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cruickshank throws an elbow but misses.
Westwood effectively controlling the action here.
Cruickshank drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Westwood gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Westwood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruickshank changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Westwood tries to avoid it but Cruickshank manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Westwood to the ground. Westwood escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruickshank shoots in for a takedown but Westwood shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Westwood is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cruickshank .
Cruickshank tries to clinch but Westwood moves out of range.
Westwood misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruickshank .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruickshank tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Westwood counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Westwood fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruickshank , pushing him back against the cage.
Cruickshank tries to score a body lock takedown but Westwood shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cruickshank tries to pull guard but Westwood holds him up against the cage and eventually Cruickshank drops back down to his feet.
Westwood lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cruickshank or not.
Westwood has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cruickshank avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Westwood lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cruickshank backwards.
Cruickshank tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Westwood looking for a takedown.
Westwood goes for a takedown attempt but Cruickshank pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westwood looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cruickshank is fending him off so far but Westwood persists. Nope, Cruickshank circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruickshank is looking for the big counter here.
Jamil Westwood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Westwood throws a nice looking combination but Cruickshank bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruickshank goes for a double leg but Westwood avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Westwood continues to drive forward.
Westwood is looking for a counter combo.
Cruickshank scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Cruickshank shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Westwood is trying to defend but Cruickshank finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruickshank tries to pass the half guard into mount. Westwood knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Westwood punching from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamil Westwood dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Westwood closes the distance and clinches up with Cruickshank , looking for a takedown. Westwood pushes Cruickshank against the cage but Cruickshank circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Westwood moves into the clinch successfully.
Westwood stops a takedown attempt from Cruickshank .

Cruickshank breaks from the clinch.
Cruickshank shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Westwood as he avoids it easily.
Westwood closes the distance and clinches up with Cruickshank , looking for a takedown. Westwood pushes Cruickshank against the cage but Cruickshank circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruickshank throws a series of punches but Westwood moves out of range.

Westwood instigates a clinch.

Cruickshank breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Westwood blocks a head kick by Cruickshank .
Cruickshank defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Westwood.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamil Westwood. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Westwood slaps away a takedown attempt from Cruickshank , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cruickshank takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruickshank fails with the takedown

and Westwood holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Westwood gets underhooks to prevent Cruickshank 's takedown attempt.
Cruickshank jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Westwood walks away with a smile on his face. Cruickshank gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Westwood moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Westwood clinches with his opponent.
Westwood has Cruickshank pressed against the cage, preventing Cruickshank from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Westwood is trying to pull guard but Cruickshank turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cruickshank jumps guard but Westwood stands there with Cruickshank around his waist. Cruickshank gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Cruickshank tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruickshank stalling in the clinch but Westwood improves position.
Westwood lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruickshank backwards.
Cruickshank blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Westwood gets through Cruickshank 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cruickshank tries to circle away but Westwood has him pinned against the cage.

Westwood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Westwood shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruickshank tries to sprawl out of it but Westwood keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cruickshank manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Westwood lands with a kick to the temple. Cruickshank shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruickshank fails with a takedown attempt.

Westwood rushes Cruickshank and presses him up against the cage.

Westwood breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Cruickshank throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Westwood was covering up waiting for the punch and Cruickshank finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Cruickshank passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westwood tries to roll over but Cruickshank keeps him under control.
Cruickshank is thwarting Westwood's attempts to control the position.
Cruickshank trying to control from half guard but Westwood is working away.
Cruickshank is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Westwood wants to control but Cruickshank is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jamil Westwood showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Westwood 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jamil Westwood!