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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iosef Tarasov (ranked 2534 p4p, 5761 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Iosef Tarasov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ricardo Cruz's chin.
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| 182 cm
21
215
2 - 0 - 0 |
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180 cm
21
210
1 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine |
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Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Iosef Tarasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz thows a leg kick but Tarasov checks it
and Tarasov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tarasov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tarasov prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Cruz trying to control but Tarasov postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tarasov in particular looking to stall.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Tarasov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cruz on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarasov moves nicely into side control.
Cruz tries to buck Tarasov off but Tarasov is having none of it.
Cruz struggling a bit here.
The referee asks Tarasov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Tarasov prefers to stall for the moment though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to improve his position.
Cruz wants to control but Tarasov postures up.
Tarasov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Cruz wants to control but Tarasov postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Cruz regains half guard.
Tarasov is pressing down on Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cruz is holding on for now.
Tarasov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cruz trying to control here.
Tarasov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tarasov is pressing down on Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cruz is holding on for now.
Tarasov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Cruz trying to hold on to Tarasov's head to control him but Tarasov postures up.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cruz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a jab to the body
and Tarasov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tarasov.
Tarasov controlling from the top position.
Cruz wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tarasov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tarasov stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz being controlled here, momentarily.
Cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cruz swings for the body but Tarasov moves out of range.
Tarasov attempts a counter takedown but Cruz avoids it well and moves away.
Cruz goes for a double leg but Tarasov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tarasov continues to drive forward.
Tarasov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Cruz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cruz fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tarasov to the ground. Cruz is now in Tarasov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tarasov pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
Tarasov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tarasov tries to get out of the position.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Iosef Tarasov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Cruz connects with a body shot that sends Tarasov's belly button to the back.
A big right from Cruz misses.
Tarasov tries to counter with a takedown but Cruz is quick to defend against it.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tarasov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cruz misses with a body shot.
Tarasov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tarasov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Cruz sprawls and moves away.
Tarasov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tarasov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz jabs Tarasov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cruz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tarasov at a distance.
Tarasov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cruz scores with a takedown into Tarasov's guard.
Tarasov has his hands on Cruz's head, controlling the position.
Cruz working some strikes from top position.
Tarasov seems keen to control Cruz's posture.
Tarasov wants to sweep but no luck.
Tarasov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
Tarasov looking for a sweep. Not yet Tarasov, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov is working hard here to advance position.
Tarasov pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
Tarasov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.
Cruz trying to keep a closed guard but Tarasov is proving a slippery customer.
Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tarasov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz pulls Tarasov in close to prevent any damage.
Cruz trying to keep a closed guard but Tarasov is proving a slippery customer.
Cruz wants to sweep here but Tarasov controlling him for the moment.
Tarasov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cruz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cruz digs a good body shot into Tarasov's ribs.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Tarasov circles away easily
and Tarasov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarasov stays in close to Cruz's body and controls the position.
Cruz working a defensive guard here.
Tarasov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Cruz 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!
Cruz clinches up with Tarasov and pushes him back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Cruz as the two fighters clinch.
Tarasov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Tarasov looking to pass the guard.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tarasov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cruz is keeping the position for now.
Tarasov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tarasov looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarasov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Tarasov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tarasov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tarasov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
Tarasov controlling from the top position.
Cruz is trying to keep Tarasov in close.
Tarasov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cruz throws a right hand that misses
and Tarasov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cruz!
Tarasov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Tarasov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cruz for as long as he can get away with.
Cruz tries to bench press Tarasov off him but Tarasov keeps the position.
Tarasov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Tarasov continues to stall.
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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Tarasov working away.
Cruz being controlled for a moment.
Cruz tries to buck Tarasov off but Tarasov is having none of it.
Cruz seems a little lost for a moment, as Tarasov dominates the positioning.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
You can see the frustration on Cruz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cruz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tarasov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cruz seems a little lost for a moment, as Tarasov dominates the positioning.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ricardo Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz scores with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Cruz there.
Ricardo Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz connects with a crisp jab.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tarasov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Cruz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tarasov. Tarasov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cruz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tarasov rather than just go for the knockout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarasov slips under a jab from Cruz.
Tarasov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Cruz scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricardo Cruz.
I think Cruz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricardo Cruz!
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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
32% |
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