PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Cruz (ranked 1975 p4p, 24636 weight class) and Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov (ranked 247 p4p, 569 weight class). Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ricardo Cruz's chin.

Cruz
vs
Zhanbolatov

180 cm
23
210
5 - 7 - 0

190 cm
23
210
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conquest Nutrition™ (160Q) $97

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zhanbolatov avoids it really well and circles away.
Zhanbolatov lands a really nice looking cross but Cruz seems unphased.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhanbolatov swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zhanbolatov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
Zhanbolatov walks into a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zhanbolatov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a shot to the body
and Zhanbolatov counters with a straight right hand.

Cruz is rocked!
Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zhanbolatov defends well and Cruz ends up having to push Zhanbolatov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zhanbolatov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Oh Cruz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zhanbolatov lands an uppercut.
Zhanbolatov dips a shoulder and cracks Cruz with a mighty uppercut! Cruz falls back against the cage and Zhanbolatov unloads with a barrage of strikes! Cruz is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Zhanbolatov screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov!
A relieved looking Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.