PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Cruz (ranked 2404 p4p, 2056 weight class) and Shane MacManus (ranked 304 p4p, 267 weight class). Cruz's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Song of the Waking City - Jucifer. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cruz
vs
MacManus

175 cm
24
170
8 - 5 - 0

164 cm
23
158
3 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Carnage Clothing

Altitude Clothing

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shane MacManus!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacManus lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cruz circles away quickly and effectively.
Cruz appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacManus misses the shot to the body.
MacManus misses with a hook. Cruz ducked under it nicely.
Cruz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cruz's jab looks to have found its range, popping MacManus under the eye.
Cruz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by MacManus.
MacManus moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
It looked like Cruz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
MacManus misses with a takedown
letting Cruz counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacManus swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
MacManus throws a body shot but no joy.
MacManus misses with a lunging right hand
and Cruz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cruz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Cruz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
MacManus takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacManus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
MacManus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
MacManus looks for a takedown but Cruz sprawls well.
Matt Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane MacManus.
MacManus lands a slapping body shot.
A big left from Cruz misses.
Good exchange - Cruz coming out on top.
MacManus throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cruz on the side of the head.
MacManus scores with a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
MacManus throws out a counter right but Cruz avoids it with no problem.
MacManus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.

MacManus closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - MacManus lands in his opponent's guard.
Cruz looking for a sweep. Not yet Cruz, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. MacManus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. MacManus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MacManus defends well.
MacManus looking to pass the guard.

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacManus trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but MacManus is one step ahead there.
MacManus lands a couple of elbows.
MacManus slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
MacManus passes into half guard.
MacManus prevents Cruz from improving his position.

MacManus is looking for a kimura but Cruz is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacManus to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cruz tries to get to full guard but MacManus has control of the leg.
MacManus wants to control but Cruz is keeping him busy.
Cruz wants to improve his position but MacManus is controlling well.
MacManus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
MacManus is pressing down on Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cruz is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacManus is trying to control the action in half guard but Cruz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
MacManus lunges at Cruz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cruz's hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shane MacManus will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from MacManus.
MacManus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
MacManus scores with a sloppy right hand. Cruz should have avoided that one.
Matt Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
MacManus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
MacManus throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz feinted there with a counter leg kick.
MacManus scores with a hook to the body. Cruz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
MacManus throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cruz counters with a stiff right hand.
MacManus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Cruz leaves MacManus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Cruz finds it's target.
Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by MacManus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacManus cracks a nice hook into Cruz's ribs.
MacManus throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
MacManus looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
MacManus fails with the takedown
and Cruz counters with a straight right hand.

MacManus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
MacManus is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cruz can't do much from the bottom here.

MacManus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacManus cracks Cruz with an elbow. That is naaassty.

MacManus looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
MacManus landing a few strikes.
Cruz wants to control but MacManus postures up.
Cruz tries to improve position but can't.
MacManus connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cruz some visible discomfort.
Cruz is positioning himself to get back to half 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!
MacManus looking to control but instead Cruz has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacManus passes the guard and advances to mount!
MacManus has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cruz's face.
Cruz is wriggling around trying to escape.

MacManus looking for a guillotine from mount but Cruz is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz is trying desperately to improve position.
MacManus looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is bucking up trying to escape but MacManus cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cruz wants to try and get back to his feet.
Cruz working to try and regain half guard.
MacManus punishing his opponent with strikes.
MacManus controlling his opponent.
Cruz is trying desperately to improve position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane MacManus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

MacManus misses the shot to the body.
MacManus throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cruz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cruz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cruz drops his hands momentarily and MacManus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
MacManus is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cruz rather than just go for the knockout.
MacManus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MacManus tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from MacManus.
MacManus lands a slapping body shot.
MacManus misses with a takedown attempt - Cruz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shane MacManus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz lands a jab to MacManus's midsection.
Cruz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
MacManus thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacManus swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz slaps away a takedown attempt from MacManus, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacManus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Matt Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane MacManus.
Cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps MacManus's head backwards.
MacManus looks to land a left hand but Cruz moved out of range nicely.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. MacManus saw that one coming.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract MacManus.
MacManus shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cruz sprawls well. Cruz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. MacManus gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from MacManus.
An attempted straight right counter from Cruz misses the target.
MacManus fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacManus fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Cruz throws a jab when MacManus was well out of range.
Nice body punch from MacManus.
MacManus shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense.

MacManus bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but MacManus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacManus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cruz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
MacManus lands a nice forearm strike.
MacManus tries to score with some ground and pound. Cruz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
MacManus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz is trying to get back to half guard.
MacManus just content to control the position.
MacManus connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cruz some visible discomfort.
Shane MacManus has got the better of the ground game so far.
MacManus working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cruz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but MacManus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
MacManus is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cruz regains half guard.
MacManus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
MacManus wants to control but Cruz is keeping him busy.
Cruz regains full guard. Nicely done.
MacManus content to stall in guard here.
MacManus slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. MacManus connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane MacManus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well MacManus 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Shane MacManus!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Shane MacManus!
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Shane MacManus!

Shane MacManus wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Shane MacManus thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.