PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erik Bjornsson (ranked 227 p4p, 568 weight class) and Santa Cruz (ranked 32 p4p, 76 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.

Bjornsson
vs
Cruz

189 cm
26
211
9 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
210
6 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Erik Bjornsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Santa Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Bjornsson. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bjornsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bjornsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bjornsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
Bjornsson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cruz moves away from the strike by Bjornsson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bjornsson looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
Cruz looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bjornsson digs a good body shot into Cruz's ribs.
Cruz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bjornsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz lands an overhand right.
Cruz misses with a shot to the body

and Bjornsson counters with a crisp right hand that drops Cruz! Bjornsson lets Cruz back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

It looks like Santa Cruz has been cut.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Bjornsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
It seemed like Cruz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cruz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
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 throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bjornsson counters with a nice right hand that sends Cruz toppling to the canvas! Cruz scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Bjornsson finish him?!

Cruz is rocked!
Bjornsson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bjornsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Bjornsson.
Bjornsson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bjornsson counters with a big right hand! Oh Cruz is in trouble here! Bjornsson follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Erik Bjornsson!
Erik Bjornsson retains his light heavyweight title!
A victorious Erik Bjornsson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.