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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darian Cruz (ranked 1650 p4p, 186 weight class) and Ethan Irwin (ranked 1260 p4p, 147 weight class). Ethan Irwin looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!
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| 171 cm
31
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0 |
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168 cm
30
154 lbs
8 - 9 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful |
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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
5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Darian Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ethan Irwin!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irwin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.
Irwin throws a leg kick but Cruz moved away.
Cruz misses the jab.
Irwin misses with a body shot
and Cruz counters with a stiff right hand.
Irwin cracks Cruz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cruz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Irwin avoids it well.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Irwin lands a jab to the head.
Irwin cracks Cruz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cruz checks a low kick from Irwin.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Cruz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Irwin throws a nice looking combination but Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Irwin avoids nicely.
Irwin takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Irwin slips a jab from Cruz.
Cruz drives through with a takedown into guard.
Irwin pushes Cruz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Darian Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irwin throws a right hand that Cruz ducks under and follows up with a left that Cruz also avoids with ease.
Cruz throws an off balance right hand
and Irwin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cruz digs a good hook to Irwin's body.
Cruz throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Irwin to counter with a crisp jab.
Cruz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irwin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Irwin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Irwin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz throws a shot from downtown. Irwin moves away and avoids it.
Irwin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Cruz there.
Cruz lands with an overhand left.
Cruz shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Irwin is trying to defend but Cruz finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cruz trying to mount his opponent but Irwin defends it.
Cruz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Irwin is looking to improve his position.
Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Irwin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz thows a huge punch but Irwin dodges it nicely.
Irwin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Irwin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cruz is keen to just control but Irwin is a slippery customer.
Cruz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Irwin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Irwin is refusing to be controlled, as Cruz sits in half guard.
Irwin is pressing down on Cruz's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Irwin 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.
Cruz scoring with punches to the head and body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands a couple of digs.
Irwin is adopting a defensive guard.
Cruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Irwin is pulling down on Cruz's head. It's preventing any offense from Cruz, at least for the moment.
Irwin controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
Irwin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cruz 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.
Cruz is working Irwin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cruz throws a big elbow that misses.
Cruz with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.
Irwin trying to control the position here.
Let's hope that Irwin has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Darian Cruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Darian Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Irwin.
Irwin avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Irwin avoids it well.
Cruz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cruz lands in his opponent's guard.
Irwin has his feet on Cruz's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. Irwin saw that one coming.
A little jabbing left from Irwin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Irwin loads up on a big right hand but Cruz slips the punch.
Cruz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Irwin avoids it really well and circles away.
Irwin feints a counter leg kick.
Cruz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Irwin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Irwin can do to turn this around?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Irwin's half guard.
Irwin kicks Cruz off and gets back to his feet.
Cruz connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice shot by Cruz.
Cruz cracks Irwin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz with a nice cross.
Cruz lands a body shot.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Irwin is just out of range.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Irwin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Irwin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cruz misses with a body punch
letting Irwin counter with a right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irwin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Irwin, which made it look bad.
Irwin moves away from the strike by Cruz.
Cruz backing away here, and Irwin unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz slips under a jab from Irwin.
Irwin scoring well with a low kick there.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz lands with a nice body punch.
Irwin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Irwin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irwin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Irwin moves forwards but Cruz connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Irwin throws a push kick but Cruz slaps the foot to one side.
Irwin is looking to land body kicks.
Irwin throws a quick inside leg kick.
Irwin is breathing heavily.
Cruz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz misses with a left hand
and Irwin counters with a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
Cruz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A big left from Cruz misses.
Irwin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz works Irwin's body with a nice hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz scores with a body shot.
Cruz scores with a sloppy right hand. Irwin should have avoided that one.
A big right from Cruz misses.
Cruz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Irwin takes one to the chin there.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Irwin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Irwin misses.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Irwin dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Irwin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irwin takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Darian Cruz dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Irwin slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Cruz moves out of range of the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Irwin.
Darian Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Irwin moves away from the strike by Cruz.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Irwin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cruz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Irwin can pounce on him.
Cruz swings widly with a right hand
and Irwin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cruz misses with an uppercut
and Irwin counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Irwin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz cracks Irwin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cruz moves out of range as Irwin strikes.
Irwin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in but Irwin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cruz throws a hook but Irwin blocks it.
Irwin blocks a jab.
Cruz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Irwin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cruz cracks Irwin with an open hand slap.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Irwin swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz digs a good hook to Irwin's body.
Irwin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Cruz throws a body punch but Irwin moves out of range.
Ethan Irwin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irwin lands a nice hook to Cruz's body. Cruz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cruz.
Cruz cracks Irwin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cruz throws a combination that misses
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Irwin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Irwin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz lands a jab-cross combination.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Irwin throws out the jab.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irwin defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darian Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Irwin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Irwin.
Cruz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by Irwin.
Irwin throws a jab when Cruz was well out of range.
Cruz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Irwin tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Irwin to the ground. Irwin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz connects with the punch.
Cruz lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab from Cruz.
Cruz scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Darian Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Irwin avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Irwin was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Cruz scores with a four punch combination!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Irwin looks to land a right hand but Cruz moved out of range.
Cruz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Irwin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cruz misses with a hook
and Irwin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Irwin misses the jab.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Irwin circles away quickly and effectively.
Cruz lunges at Irwin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Irwin's hand.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cruz lands a jab to the nose.
Cruz tries to clinch up.
And that's the end of the fight!
Darian Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cruz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darian Cruz!
Darian Cruz decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
69% |
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