PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Cruz Jr (ranked 22 p4p, 159 weight class) and Thiago Araujo (ranked 5 p4p, 27 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Cruz Jr
vs
Araujo

209 cm
34
245
30 - 15 - 0

193 cm
35
285
25 - 22 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Warrior Fight Store
Brooklyn Apothecary

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jorge Cruz Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cruz Jr as he jumps to the side.
Cruz Jr went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cruz Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Araujo.
Araujo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz Jr is looking to counter punch.
Thiago Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cruz Jr gets caught flat footed, as Araujo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cruz Jr has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Araujo throws a strike but Cruz Jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cruz Jr tries to stand but Araujo is controlling from the bottom.

Cruz Jr stands up from Araujo's guard - Cruz Jr perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz Jr gets caught flat footed, as Araujo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Cruz Jr pushes Araujo off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Araujo tries for a takedown but Cruz Jr circles away easily
and Cruz Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz Jr leaves Araujo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz Jr throws a quick counter head kick but Araujo was just out of range.
Jorge Cruz Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Araujo.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cruz Jr as he jumps to the side.
A little feinted left hand from Cruz Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Araujo shoots and misses

and Cruz Jr counters with a head kick that drops Araujo to the mat! Araujo scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Jorge Cruz Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice straight punches there by Araujo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Araujo.

Araujo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Cruz Jr kicks off Araujo and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Araujo misses with a takedown attempt
and Cruz Jr counters with a left to the body.
Araujo looks winded!
Araujo has his takedown stuffed
and Cruz Jr counters with a huge overhand right that connects right on the temple, sending him crumpling, face first to the floor! This one is all over! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jorge Cruz Jr!
Jorge Cruz Jr was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.