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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hector Sanchez (ranked 2142 p4p, 2866 weight class) and Matt Cruz (ranked 306 p4p, 397 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 176 cm
27
175
4 - 2 - 0 |
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175 cm
19
170
5 - 1 - 0 |
Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hector Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz clinches with his opponent.
Sanchez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cruz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cruz misses with a hook. Sanchez ducked under it nicely.
Sanchez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cruz works the jab nicely.
Cruz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sanchez lands a jab to Cruz's midsection.
Sanchez slips under a jab from Cruz.
Sanchez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Sanchez.
Cruz gets underhooks to prevent Sanchez's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz misses with an elbow over the top.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Cruz.
We've been hearing reports that Sanchez has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Sanchez takes a shot to the head.
Cruz lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sanchez goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Cruz - just one landing.
Cruz digs a good body shot into Sanchez's ribs.
Nice defenses there by Sanchez.
Sanchez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sanchez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cruz throws out the jab.
Sanchez tries to counter with a takedown but Cruz is quick to defend against it.
Cruz lands a right hook to the body.
Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sanchez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez blocks a jab.
Cruz scores with a hook.
Cruz takes the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cruz creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cruz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz lands with a light punch inside.
Sanchez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cruz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sanchez is working for takedown but Cruz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cruz presses Sanchez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Sanchez blocks an uppercut.
Cruz lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Cruz.
Sanchez is looking for a takedown.
Cruz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands a hook that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.
Sanchez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cruz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cruz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cruz prevents the takedown attempt.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Sanchez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cruz after a bit of a struggle.
Cruz scores with a shot to the side of Sanchez's head.
A short right from Cruz.
A shot in the inside from Cruz.
Sanchez is working for takedown but Cruz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sanchez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cruz gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz stuffs the takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz closes the distance and pushes Sanchez back into the cage.
Cruz gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Cruz.
A shot in the inside from Cruz.
Cruz lands a left hand.
Cruz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cruz lands a really nice looking cross but Sanchez seems unphased.
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Sanchez off the cage and back into range.
Cruz connects with a crisp jab.
Sanchez is rocked!
Cruz throws an overhand right that lands on Sanchez's shoulder, as Sanchez tries to avoid the shot.
Oh Sanchez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Sanchez moved out of range nicely.
Sanchez seems to have got his legs back now.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Cruz might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz scores with a sloppy right hand. Sanchez should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Cruz dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. Sanchez saw that one coming.
Sanchez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sanchez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.
Sanchez blocks a jab.
Sanchez misses with a hook
and Cruz counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz throws a shot from downtown. Sanchez moves away and avoids it.
Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Sanchez.
Cruz lands a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sanchez or not.
Cruz gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cruz gets underhooks to prevent Sanchez's takedown attempt.
Sanchez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cruz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sanchez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cruz after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short uppercut from Cruz.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to take the fight to the mat but Cruz manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Matt Cruz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cruz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sanchez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cruz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cruz closes the distance and pushes Sanchez back into the cage.
Cruz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cruz cracks Sanchez with a nice body shot.
Cruz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cruz pushes Sanchez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sanchez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cruz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanchez moves away from the strike by Cruz.
Sanchez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz scores with a jab to the head.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Sanchez circles away.
Sanchez ducks right into an uppercut from Cruz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Sanchez feinted with a counter takedown.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matt Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sanchez dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Sanchez.
Cruz works Sanchez's body with a nice hook.
Cruz stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanchez.
Sanchez staying out of range there.
Sanchez tries to counter with a takedown but Cruz is quick to defend against it.
Cruz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sanchez momentarily.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl out of it but Sanchez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cruz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matt Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz blocks a jab.
Cruz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sanchez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Sanchez attempts a counter takedown but Cruz avoids it well and moves away.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanchez defends it nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez moves out of range of the strikes.
Cruz misses with a looping right.
Cruz moves into range and clinches up with Sanchez.
Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cruz clinches up against the cage.
Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cruz moves into the clinch successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cruz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sanchezs head.
Sanchez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cruz after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Cruz lands with a nice body punch.
Cruz throws a lazy uppercut
and Sanchez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sanchez.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanchez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Cruz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sanchez trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez trying to move into half guard but instead Cruz has managed to sweep!
Sanchez looking to control.
Cruz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez working a defensive guard but Cruz passes into half guard.
Cruz slows the pace down in half guard.
Sanchez tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Cruz has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Cruz avoids the attempt from Sanchez to control.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
Sanchez regains half guard.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard but Cruz has mounted him!
Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Sanchez is trying desperately to improve position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sanchez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Sanchez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Let's hope that Cruz 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sanchez working to try and regain half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cruz 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 25:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 25:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 25:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Cruz!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
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C
B |
G |
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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
52% |
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