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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 332 p4p, 650 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 49 p4p, 89 weight class). Ricardo Cruz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 208 cm
28
195
25 - 8 - 0 |
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190 cm
35
198
16 - 13 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Brawler
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Hedegaard, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Hedegaard against the cage but Hedegaard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hedegaard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hedegaard wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Hedegaard trying to control the position.
Hedegaard keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Hedegaard is trying to control the position but Cruz postures up.
Cruz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hedegaard's head.
Hedegaard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cruz defends it easily.
Hedegaard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cruz landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hedegaard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hedegaard seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Hedegaard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Hedegaard is keeping the position.
Cruz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cruz controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Hedegaard.
Cruz stays in close to Hedegaard's body and controls the position.
Hedegaard keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hedegaard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cruz trying to control but Hedegaard is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Cruz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cruz trying to control but Hedegaard is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hedegaard scores with a takedown into Cruz's guard.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hedegaard is one step ahead there.
Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
Cruz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cruz wants to improve his position but instead Hedegaard has moved into half guard.
Hedegaard 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.
Hedegaard wants to work for an arm triangle but Cruz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cruz felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Cruz is looking to improve his position.
Cruz is refusing to be controlled, as Hedegaard sits in half guard.
Hedegaard is really struggling to control Cruz but he's trying to hold on to the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hedegaard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hedegaard's back!
Hedegaard rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hedegaard works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hedegaard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hedegaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hedegaard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.
Hedegaard looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cruz passes Hedegaard's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cruz passes to full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz cracks Hedegaard with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hedegaard taking shots to the head.
Cruz wants to control the pace but Hedegaard is squirming around nicely.
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!
Hedegaard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hedegaard wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Hedegaard is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hedegaard works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hedegaard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cruz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
Ricardo Cruz has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz wants to improve his position but instead Hedegaard has moved into half guard.
Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard wants to pass to mount but Cruz is defending the position.
Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hedegaard looking to pass the guard.
Hedegaard works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cruz is holding on to half guard well.
Hedegaard prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Cruz manages to get to full guard.
Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hedegaard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hedegaard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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.
Hedegaard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hedegaard wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hedegaard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hedegaard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hedegaard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hedegaard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hedegaard knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hedegaard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruz pulls his head out easily.
Hedegaard gets full guard.
Hedegaard trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Hedegaard keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.
Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cruz controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hedegaard looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cruz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Cruz advances position into side control!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hedegaard regains half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Ricardo Cruz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hedegaard swivels and escapes.
Hedegaard changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hedegaard looking to score a takedown here. Cruz is defending well but Hedegaard drives through and ends up in Cruz's guard.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hedegaard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hedegaard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedegaard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hedegaard is one step ahead there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cruz looking to control.
Hedegaard drops back looking for a leg! Cruz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cruz manages to kick Hedegaard off! Hedegaard jumps back into Cruz's guard.
Hedegaard preventing the sweep.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
Cruz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedegaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hedegaard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hedegaard trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hedegaard is pushing down on Cruz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cruz is fighting to maintain full guard but Hedegaard has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cruz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hedegaard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
Hedegaard slips nicely into half guard.
Cruz works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking for a triangle but Hedegaard pushes his legs off easily.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hedegaard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Hedegaard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hedegaard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hedegaard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Hedegaard from controlling successfully.
Hedegaard won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hedegaard defends well.
Cruz working for a triangle but Hedegaard defends it easily.
Hedegaard scoring with some ground and pound.
Hedegaard working some strikes from top position.
Cruz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hedegaard manages to get himself to full guard.
Hedegaard 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hedegaard keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.
Hedegaard has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Simon Hedegaard did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Hedegaard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Hedegaard sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Hedegaard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Simon Hedegaard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Cruz.
Hedegaard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hedegaard sprawls well initially but Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hedegaard looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cruz seems to be looking for submissions.
Cruz is looking to take a break and control but Hedegaard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedegaard is looking to control Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hedegaard avoid being mounted?
Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cruz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to work for a kimura but Hedegaard is defending well.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Hedegaard is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hedegaard wants to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cruz lands a nice short elbow.
Hedegaard works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Hedegaard is keeping the position.
Cruz pushes down on Hedegaard's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hedegaard 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!
Hedegaard keeps control of the position as Cruz tries to break free.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is still trying to improve position.
Cruz breaks Hedegaard's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hedegaard working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz trying to control but Hedegaard is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cruz's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hedegaard trying to control the position.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Hedegaard is retaining full guard.
Cruz preventing the sweep.
Cruz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hedegaard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cruz has managed to get both his arms back between Hedegaard's legs - danger averted.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Cruz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hedegaard, who protects the arm well.
Cruz tries to advance to mount but Hedegaard denies him.
Hedegaard is trying to improve his position.
Cruz has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Hedegaard!
Cruz landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cruz lands a big elbow.
Cruz prevents Hedegaard from getting the reversal.
Cruz is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Hedegaard to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Hedegaard shrugs it off.
Cruz with good strikes from the mount here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cruz has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hedegaard's face.
Cruz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hedegaard is looking to escape.
A nice elbow there by Cruz.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hedegaard is looking to escape.
Cruz is working for a guillotine from mount but Hedegaard frees his head quite easily.
Cruz lands a couple of good shots and Hedegaard has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Cruz controlling the position well here. Hedegaard rolled but Cruz kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Cruz is persistently looking for the submission but Hedegaard is defending it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Cruz dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
so Hedegaard counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hedegaard trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hedegaard's guard.
Cruz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hedegaard working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz pushing down on Hedegaard's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hedegaard defends it well.
Cruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Cruz is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hedegaard is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cruz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hedegaard's guard.
Cruz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hedegaard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cruz is looking for a kimura here.
Cruz maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Hedegaard could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Cruz has cracked it and Hedegaard is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Cruz!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ricardo Cruz!
Ricardo Cruz is the new middleweight champion!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
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
46% |
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