PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 1325 p4p, 3194 weight class) and Zett Jukassa (ranked 169 p4p, 362 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cruz
vs
Jukassa

190 cm
41
198
22 - 20 - 0

189 cm
35
195
26 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

NARCOS
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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 22 - 20 - 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 26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zett Jukassa!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Jukassa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cruz fails with the takedown
and Jukassa counters with a nice body shot.
Jukassa throws an off balance right hand

and Cruz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Jukassa has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Cruz is on him like a limpet, forcing Jukassa back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jukassa manages to break the clinch.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Jukassa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jukassa! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz fails with the takedown
and Jukassa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jukassa counters with a series of strikes. Cruz will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cruz closes the distance but Jukassa moves to the side
enabling Jukassa to counter with a crisp jab.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Jukassa counters with a series of strikes. Cruz will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jukassa circles away.
A nice side step and Jukassa releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Jukassa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jukassa is looking for the big counter here.

Cruz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cruz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jukassa wants to get back to his feet but Cruz drags him back down.
Jukassa told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Jukassa's face as Cruz controls the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Cruz.
Cruz in side control, throwing shots but Jukassa defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jukassa is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Cruz scores with punches from side control.
Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jukassa keeps working.
Jukassa takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Jukassa is trying to buck Cruz off.
Cruz wants to control but Jukassa is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jukassa regains half guard there - taking advantage of Cruz's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Cruz wants to pass to mount but Jukassa is defending the position.
Cruz passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Jukassa!
Cruz putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Cruz trying to control but Jukassa is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zett Jukassa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jukassa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fighters circling - Jukassa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cruz appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jukassa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt
and Jukassa counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Cruz shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Jukassa napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cruz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Jukassa is trying to stand and escape here. He's got onto all fours but that's just let Cruz take his back! Uh oh - Cruz has got a rear naked choke here! Jukassa is forced to tap! It's all over! One monent is all it takes in this sport!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ricardo Cruz!