PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 285 p4p, 1012 weight class) and Pat Kelly (ranked 42 p4p, 150 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Cruz
vs
Kelly

190 cm
36
198
18 - 14 - 0

185 cm
31
190
24 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

New Standard
Brooklyn Threads

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 18 - 14 - 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 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pat Kelly!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kelly throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Kelly - just one landing.
Kelly scores with a jab to the head.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Kelly shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz dives in and grabs Kelly's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kelly pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
The fighters circling - Kelly throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Kelly sprawls well.
Kelly steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cruz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kelly throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Cruz drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kelly sprawls and moves away.
Kelly cracks Cruz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kelly counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cruz shoots and misses
and Kelly counters with a right hand to the body.

Cruz closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kelly's 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!
Kelly tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cruz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kelly has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cruz has managed to get both his arms back between Kelly's legs - danger averted.
Cruz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kelly looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control but Kelly is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that Cruz has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Cruz lands a couple of elbows.
Kelly tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kelly looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Kelly not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kelly looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
Kelly keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kelly can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
Kelly looking to control.
Kelly manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to sweep here but Kelly controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cruz is on top in guard.

Cruz advances position into side control!
Cruz controls the position from side control.
Cruz tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kelly is looking to regain half guard here but Cruz keeps moving and retains side control.

Cruz is trying to get an arm triangle but Kelly is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Kelly is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruz.
Kelly 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 is keeping busy.
Cruz trying to control the position but Kelly manages to sink in the hooks.
Cruz is really stuck here.
Cruz tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kelly trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cruz is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz regains half guard.
Cruz is pressing down on Kelly's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cruz is on top in guard.

Cruz landing some decent shots from guard.
Cruz trying to control but Kelly is working from the bottom.
Cruz passes Kelly's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelly is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Cruz is working for a kimura but Kelly is defending it quite comfortably.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pat Kelly will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Kelly.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kelly pinned against the cage. Kelly gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kelly defends well and Cruz ends up having to push Kelly into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kelly fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ricardo Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kelly moves into the clinch.
Kelly digs a right hand into Cruz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cruz's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kelly fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice takedown defense from Kelly. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kelly as he avoids it easily.
Kelly keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kelly lands with an overhand left.
Decent striking displayed by Kelly there.
Kelly has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kelly scores with a takedown into Cruz's guard.
Kelly is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kelly wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Kelly is pushing down on Cruz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cruz is fighting to maintain full guard but Kelly has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kelly winds up and cracks Cruz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kelly prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Cruz is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is in trouble now - Kelly has advanced to mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ricardo Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kelly cracks Cruz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Kelly lands a heavy elbow.
BOOM! Kelly connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kelly landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kelly 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 sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Cruz tries to roll over but Kelly keeps him under control.
Kelly thows a huge punch but Cruz dodges it nicely.
Cruz trying to control but Kelly postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly working the head and body with strikes.
My spies in 3Band MMA inform me that Kelly has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Cruz is looking to improve his position.
Cruz taking some punishment here, with Kelly in his half guard.
Kelly working over Cruz with some ground and pound. Cruz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kelly 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.
Kelly prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Cruz won't allow Kelly to pass to mount.
Cruz wants to improve his position but Kelly is controlling well.
Cruz is not content to let Kelly control the position.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kelly.
Kelly wants to take a breather but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelly 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.
Cruz wants to control but Kelly is keeping busy.
Cruz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cruz is not content to let Kelly control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kelly lands a nice short elbow.
Cruz is looking for a sweep. Kelly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kelly 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.
Cruz works his way to full guard. Good work.
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.
Kelly scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pat Kelly showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Kelly shows good takedown defense.
Cruz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Kelly, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Kelly against the cage but Kelly circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kelly looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pat Kelly seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kelly throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz dives in and grabs Kelly's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kelly pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kelly fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cruz on the side of the head.
Kelly lands a nice shot to the body.
Kelly pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelly misses with an uppercut. Cruz saw that one coming.

Cruz scores with a takedown into Kelly's guard.

Kelly manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kelly fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kelly throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kelly is in Cruz's guard.
Kelly wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

Cruz working for a triangle but Kelly defends it easily.
Kelly cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.
Kelly works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kelly uses his free foot to push down on Cruz's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cruz.
Cruz is trying to escape the mount.
Kelly lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kelly with shots to the head and body - Cruz looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kelly lands a nice shot to the head.

It looks like Ricardo Cruz has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz is desperately trying to improve his position but Kelly has a good base and remains in mount.
Kelly tries to control but Cruz wriggling away.
Cruz is looking to get to half guard.
Kelly trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kelly prevents Cruz from getting the reversal.
Kelly cracks Cruz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Cruz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kelly lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kelly is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kelly passes into half guard.
Cruz is not content to let Kelly control the position.
Kelly prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Kelly wants to pass the guard but Cruz is defending well.
Kelly throwing shots but Cruz is blocking nicely.

Kelly looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kelly is nestled in close to Cruz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking for a sweep. Kelly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cruz wants to get back to full guard but Kelly has passed into side control.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Cruz looking for a sweep but Kelly has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Kelly controlling the pace for now.
Cruz can't escape the position.
Kelly can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cruz is looking to escape.
Kelly cracks Cruz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Ricardo Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pat Kelly is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kelly working the ground and pound effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pat Kelly comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kelly 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pat Kelly!