PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Cruz (ranked 3756 p4p, 5125 weight class) and Christian Hunter (ranked 393 p4p, 477 weight class). Cruz comes to the cage accompanied by Rubèn Blades - Pablo Pueblo. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Cruz
vs
Hunter

170 cm
25
157
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pedro Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Christian Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Hunter.
Hunter pushes Cruz away with a front kick.
Cruz thows a leg kick but Hunter checks it

and Hunter counters by moving into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hunter.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hunter lands a nice elbow.
Hunter is struggling to control the position.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Cruz avoids the elbow strike from Hunter, against the cage.
Hunter has Cruz pressed against the cage, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hunter lands a nice elbow.
Hunter with a knee to the head.
Cruz tries to score a body lock takedown but Hunter shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cruz is trying to drag Hunter to the mat but Hunter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cruz avoids the elbow strike from Hunter, against the cage.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz goes for a takedown attempt but Hunter pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cruz.
Pedro Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Hunter closes the distance and clinches.
Cruz has been working on his balance at Cozad The Island, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Hunter.
Hunter dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hunter landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
Hunter scores a nice knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Hunter.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hunter lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hunter crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Hunter.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Hunter has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hunter just leaning against Cruz, taking a breather.
Stalling in the clinch from Hunter.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Hunter is controlling him.
Knees to the body from Hunter.
Hunter crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Hunter lands a knee to the body.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hunter stalling against the cage.
Knees to the body from Hunter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Hunter.
Hunter lands a damaging elbow.
Hunter lands a nice elbow.
Hunter lands a damaging elbow.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hunter utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hunter creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Cruz takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hunter lands a nice elbow.
Hunter lands a nice knee to the body.
Hunter comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunter lands a damaging elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hunter obliges.
Hunter creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
Hunter scores a nice knee to the body.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Hunter turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hunter lands an elbow inside that Cruz shrugs off.
Hunter creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Hunter lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Hunter landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hunter utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hunter unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Hunter dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hunter throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A low kick lands for Hunter.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cruz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hunter - the referee stops the clock and Cruz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hunter. Cruz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cruz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hunter counters with a low kick, right behind Cruz 's knee.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hunter.
A good leg kick by Hunter.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
Hunter appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hunter looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A good leg kick by Hunter.
Hunter fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cruz throws a big counter combination but Hunter scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hunter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Hunter sprawls well.
Cruz backing away here, and Hunter unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hunter throws a front kick that sends Cruz stumbling back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hunter throws a nice inside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hunter throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hunter is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.
Hunter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hunter moves away.
Hunter thumps Cruz with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Hunter.
Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hunter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Hunter bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hunter lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hunter keeps Cruz at a distance using the push kick.
Pedro Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Cruz does no damage.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Cruz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hunter throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hunter throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Cruz throws a leg kick that misses.
Hunter was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hunter. Cruz shrugs it off though.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunter. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz throws a poor cross that misses
and Hunter counters with a nice body kick.
Hunter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hunter lands with a nice body kick.
Hunter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Hunter rushes Cruz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands a nice knee to the body.
Hunter with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hunter keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hunter obliges.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hunter lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Cruz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hunter is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hunter lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Hunter with a knee to the head.
Hunter crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Hunter lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter landing knees to the body.
Hunter unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hunter is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cruz will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hunter lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Hunter putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hunter unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hunter comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Christian Hunter seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
Cruz takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hunter working Cruz over with knees to the body.
Hunter lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunter lands an elbow inside that Cruz shrugs off.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hunter is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hunter landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Hunter lands a nice knee to the body.
Cruz tries to break free but Hunter pushes him back against the cage.
Hunter lands an elbow inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz tries to break free but Hunter pushes him back against the cage.
Hunter with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hunter gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunter lands an elbow that stopped Cruz in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Hunter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hunter fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cruz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hunter.
Hunter takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hunter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hunter wants to clinch.
Cruz cracks Hunter with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cruz shoots and misses
and Hunter counters with a thumping low kick.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter scoring well with a low kick there.
Hunter chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hunter throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Hunter.
Cruz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hunter.
Hunter lands with a nice body kick.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunter throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.
Cruz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hunter.
Hunter lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hunter scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hunter.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hunter circles away quickly and effectively.
Hunter dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cruz. That did some damage!
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hunter with a nice calf kick.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Cruz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hunter.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Christian Hunter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunter. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Hunter throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hunter thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Hunter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hunter lands a leg kick that knocks Cruz off balance momentarily.
Cruz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunter. Hunter obviously looking to wear him down.
Hunter lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cruz throws a right hand that Hunter ducks under and follows up with a left that Hunter also avoids with ease.
Hunter turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hunter lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hunter throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hunter looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hunter connects with an inside leg kick.
Cruz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hunter manages to avoid it.
Hunter scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hunter.
Hunter lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cruz takes a step back to recover.
Cruz throws a right hand that Hunter ducks under and follows up with a left that Hunter also avoids with ease.
Hunter connects with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunter.
Hunter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hunter lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hunter tries to clinch but Cruz is having none of it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hunter showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Cruz backing away here, and Hunter unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hunter lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cruz takes a step back to recover.
Cruz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunter. Hunter obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Hunter.
Hunter lands a leg kick that knocks Cruz off balance momentarily.
Hunter lands a leg kick that knocks Cruz off balance momentarily.
Hunter throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.
Hunter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A left and a right from Cruz both land. Nice combination.
Hunter with a nice calf kick.
Cruz throws the left hand but Hunter avoids the punch easily.
Cruz tries to bum rush Hunter with a series of wild strikes but Hunter uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hunter fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cruz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hunter scores with a push kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunter. That's going to slow Cruz down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunter.
Pedro Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Hunter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hunter has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 25:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 25:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Hunter!