PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jacinto Cruz (ranked 2250 p4p, 24914 weight class) and Kieth Stokes (ranked 302 p4p, 531 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cruz
vs
Stokes

175 cm
21
160
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
160
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie
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Fantasy Threads

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacinto Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kieth Stokes!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stokes.
Cruz throws a shot to the body.
Stokes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stokes misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stokes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz works over Stokes's head and body with a nice combination.
Cruz checks a leg kick nicely.
Cruz is looking to clinch.
Stokes misses the jab.
Stokes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cruz can pounce on him.
Cruz jabs Stokes to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stokes checks a leg kick nicely.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stokes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cruz in his tracks.

Cruz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stokes advances to half guard.
Stokes is controlling the pace.
Stokes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cruz keeps working.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Stokes is looking to advance position but Cruz won't allow it.
Stokes is keen to just control but Cruz is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stokes is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Stokes controlling the action here.
Cruz keeping control of the position.
Cruz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cruz.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Stokes postures up.
Cruz wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Stokes wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cruz tries to clinch but Stokes moves out of range.
Stokes throws a shot from downtown. Cruz moves away and avoids it.
Stokes tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stokes shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stokes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jacinto Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kieth Stokes.
Cruz lets loose with a powerful body kick. Stokes will feel that in the morning.
Stokes defending well as Cruz loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Cruz there.
Cruz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Stokes.
Stokes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Stokes misses with a wild body shot.
Stokes misses with an uppercut. Cruz saw that one coming.
Stokes swats away the attempt to clinch by Cruz.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Stokes keeps it at a distance.
Cruz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stokes shoots in but Cruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stokes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Stokes with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cruz to score with a decent uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cruz.
Stokes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cruz scores with a punch to the head.
Stokes paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Cruz drives through and clinches with Stokes against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacinto Cruz dominated that 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.

Stokes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Stokes circles away.
Stokes doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cruz scores with the left hand. Stokes knows he should have avoided that one.
Cruz checks a leg kick nicely.
Cruz is looking to counter with a body kick.
Jacinto Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.

Cruz clinches.
Stokes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Cruz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cruz working aggressively here.
Stokes has Cruz pushed against the cage.
Stokes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cruz blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz lands a body punch in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Cruz.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cruz.
Cruz tries to work over Stokes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stokes.
Stokes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stokes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cruz prevents it.
Stokes wants a takedown.
Stokes taking a breather.
Stokes blocking some punches.
Cruz can't find room to land a body shot as Stokes controls the action.
Stokes is looking for a takedown.
Jacinto Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kieth Stokes.
Cruz pushes Stokes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cruz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stokes can't find room to land a body shot as Cruz controls the action.
Cruz works on Stokes's body with a couple of short punches.
Cruz scores with a hook to the body.
Cruz scores with a hook to the body.
Cruz pushes Stokes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stokes is breathing heavily.
A left hand lands to the body for Cruz.
Cruz misses with some punches.
Cruz presses Stokes against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cruz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stokes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cruz lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is working Stokes over against the cage.
Cruz gets through Stokes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cruz lands a body punch in the clinch.
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 lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cruz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cruz lands with a right to the head.
Cruz tries to throw a body punch but Stokes avoids it by throwing Cruz back against the cage.
Cruz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cruz tries a body shot but Stokes blocks it.
A short right from Cruz.

Stokes drags the fight down to the ground.

Stokes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cruz sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stokes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stokes has a closed guard, preventing Cruz from standing up.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Stokes is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stokes is on top in guard.

Stokes trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz wants to sweep here but Stokes controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Stokes wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Cruz pulls Stokes in close to prevent any damage.
Stokes wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stokes wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacinto Cruz dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A chopping leg kick lands by Cruz.
Cruz tries to clinch but Stokes is having none of it.
Nice shot by Stokes.
Stokes swats away the attempt to clinch by Cruz.
The crowd cheers as Cruz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stokes doesn't seem phased though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cruz.
Stokes misses the jab.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Stokes is avoiding it.
We've been told by Cruz's head coaches at League of Shadows MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Cruz darts in and clinches Stokes up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stokes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Stokes circles away.
Stokes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cruz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Stokes digs a good body shot into Cruz's ribs.
Cruz throws a hook but Stokes avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Stokes circles away.
And Stokes tries to counter it with a takedown but Cruz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Stokes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cruz as he avoids it easily.
Stokes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stokes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Stokes is avoiding it.
Stokes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cruz throws a leg kick that misses.
Stokes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Cruz pushes Stokes up against the cage in a clinch.
Cruz blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Cruz fails to land.
Stokes leaning against his opponent.

Stokes has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cruz uses from the top position.
Stokes 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.
Stokes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Cruz keeping moving, preventing Stokes from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes throws a big right hand that misses.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Stokes from controlling successfully.
Stokes 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.
Cruz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stokes trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stokes can do to turn this around?
Stokes looking to sit in guard and control but Cruz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stokes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Cruz passes into half guard.
Stokes wants to sweep but Cruz has passed to side control!
Jacinto Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stokes is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Stokes has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cruz is working away from the top position though.
Cruz stops Stokes from getting back to his feet.
Cruz is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stokes scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Cruz manages to mount him!
Stokes has given up his back here.
Stokes is really stuck here.
Kieth Stokes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cruz biding his time, looking for the opening.
Stokes tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Stokes working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacinto Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cruz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacinto Cruz!