PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 3825 p4p, 3199 weight class) and Furio Spartan (ranked 512 p4p, 435 weight class). Spartan has chosen This is Sparta as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cruz
vs
Spartan

190 cm
29
198
10 - 9 - 0

187 cm
42
194
23 - 20 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 20 - 1, fighting out of New York, Furio Spartan!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spartan misses with a double jab.
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.

Cruz throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Spartan tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cruz is in Spartan's guard.
Spartan keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Spartan wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spartan is keeping the position for now.
Spartan trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz trying to control but Spartan is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Spartan is keeping the position.
Cruz trying to control but Spartan is working from the bottom.
Spartan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Spartan slaps away a takedown attempt from Cruz, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Cruz dives in and scores a takedown into Spartan's guard.
Spartan controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Spartan is retaining full guard.
Spartan working a defensive guard here.
Cruz with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz has gone for a leg lock! Spartan slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cruz's guard.

Cruz wants to sweep here but Spartan controlling him for the moment.
Cruz keeping full guard, as Spartan tries to pass.

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Spartan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cruz looking to control.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
Cruz is trying to hold Spartan in close to prevent damage but Spartan has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cruz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Spartan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
It looks like Spartan might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've been informed that Spartan has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Spartan's guard.

Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Spartan.
Spartan has his hands on Cruz's head, controlling the position.
Cruz throws an elbow that misses. Spartan uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cruz's guard. Nice move by Spartan!

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Spartan passes into side control.
Cruz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Spartan off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Spartan's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Spartan just trying to survive but Cruz is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Cruz is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Spartan defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Spartan tries to escape but Cruz has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Cruz gets his hands free as Spartan looks to control.
I really don't envy Spartan right now.
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!

Cruz looking for the choke from the back.
Cruz lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cruz is looking to control Spartan but Spartan is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Cruz is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Spartan defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Cruz not allowing Spartan to control his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Cruz dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cruz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Spartan kicks off Cruz and gets to his feet.
Spartan scores with a shot to the body.
Spartan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Cruz shoots in and bounces Spartan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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!
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Spartan wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Spartan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spartan controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan wants to stand but Cruz is controlling the position.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Spartan keeps moving.
Spartan looking for a sweep. Not yet Spartan, not yet.
Cruz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cruz won't allow Spartan to get back to his feet.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Spartan is keeping the position.
Spartan wants to stand and escape but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz trying to control but Spartan is working from the bottom.
Spartan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cruz is pushing down on Spartan's leg trying to pass to half guard. Spartan is fighting to maintain full guard but Cruz has managed to sneak the leg through.

Cruz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Spartan is just riding it out for now. Cruz eventually gives up the hold.
Cruz is looking to advance position but Spartan won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Spartan wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Spartan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cruz haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Spartan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cruz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cruz's back!
Cruz staying busy and making it hard for Spartan to control.
Spartan is riding his opponent, not letting Cruz buck him off.
Cruz turns into Spartan and is now in his guard.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Spartan is retaining full guard.
Spartan managing to control the position.
Spartan keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control but Spartan is working from the bottom.
Spartan keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.
Spartan working a defensive guard here.
Cruz won't allow Spartan to sweep him here.
Spartan pulls Cruz in close to his closed guard and prevents Cruz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spartan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spartan wants to get back to his feet but Cruz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Spartan keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Spartan wants to sweep but no luck.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Spartan is keeping the position.
Spartan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Spartan misses with an uppercut.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Spartan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Spartan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Spartan from controlling successfully.
Spartan is looking to stand up but Cruz won't let him.
Spartan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Spartan pushing down on Cruz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Furio Spartan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cruz enables Spartan to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cruz manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Spartan tries to stand but Cruz is controlling from the bottom.
Cruz 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 had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Spartan defends it easily.
Spartan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cruz working a defensive guard but Spartan manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan controls the position.

Spartan decides to stand back up.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spartan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cruz with a body shot.
Spartan stuffs the takedown attempt from Cruz. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
Cruz walks into a jab.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spartan tries to clinch up.
Spartan lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Spartan tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spartan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Spartan throws a counter combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Spartan sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartan lands with a nice body punch.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spartan circles away.
Spartan raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Spartan drives through and clinches with Cruz against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Cruz has clasped his hands together around Spartan's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Spartan struggling a bit here.
Cruz wants to control but Spartan is keeping him busy.
Spartan is trying to get back to half guard.
Spartan is not content to let Cruz control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cruz connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Spartan some visible discomfort.
Spartan can't do much from the bottom here.
Cruz cracks Spartan with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Cruz moves into full mount!
Ricardo Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spartan is trying desperately to improve position.

Cruz is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Cruz extends the arm and Spartan is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricardo Cruz!