PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 2546 p4p, 3057 weight class) and Xavier Dayton (ranked 291 p4p, 338 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
Dayton

180 cm
23
210
4 - 5 - 0

194 cm
23
205
4 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Dayton!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A head kick misses from Dayton.
Cruz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dayton throws a sloppy head kick and Cruz moves out of range easily.
Dayton misses with a right hand
and Cruz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Dayton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dayton throws a one two combo.

Cruz drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Dayton is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dayton is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Dayton is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Check out the look on Cruz's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Dayton avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cruz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Cruz working the head with strikes.
Cruz working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Dayton is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Dayton wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Cruz working the ground and pound but Dayton is defending the strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dayton taking punishment in the form of punches.
Cruz is looking to take a break and control but Dayton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dayton throws Cruz to one side and escapes!
Dayton throws a chopping leg kick but Cruz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Dayton.
Nice uppercut lands for Dayton. That snapped Cruz's head back.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Dayton.
A jab from Cruz misses.
Dayton throws a head kick that misses.
Dayton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A jab lands there for Cruz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Dayton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dayton avoids the body shot from Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Cruz.
Dayton looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Dayton.
Dayton throws a lazy head kick
enabling Cruz to counter with a crisp jab.
Dayton throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Cruz connects with a body shot.

Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dayton sprawls well initially but Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dayton pushes Cruz off looking to stand but Cruz dives back in and keeps control.
Cruz is trying to control. Dayton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dayton 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 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.

Cruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Still in half guard, Cruz seems content to control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cruz connects with a nice short shot to Dayton's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dayton is trying to stand up here but Cruz is controlling him well.
Cruz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dayton defending well though.
Dayton wants to get back to his feet.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ground and pound from Cruz.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cruz trying to control the action but Dayton is working from the bottom.

Cruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Dayton tries to kick Cruz off but Cruz keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricardo Cruz will probably get the nod.
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.

Cruz dives in and grabs Dayton's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dayton pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
Dayton throws a head kick that misses.
Cruz finds himself stumbling back on wobbly legs after being clipped by a right hand. He's up against the cage, ducking and weaving under Dayton's strikes but an uppercut finds it's way through and Cruz falls! - He's completely out of it and the ref jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:12 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Xavier Dayton!