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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Josh Rawles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!
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| 200 cm
22
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0 |
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172 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Rawles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawles tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cruz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rawles somewhat.
Cruz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rawles shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cruz defends it nicely.
Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Rawles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawles throws a combination that misses
and Cruz counters with a leg kick.
Rawles takes the fight into the clinch.
Rawles goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cruz prevents it.
Cruz gets underhooks to prevent Rawles's takedown attempt.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawles won't allow it.
Rawles goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cruz lands a left and a right that send Rawles crashing to the mat, dazed. Cruz thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Rawles is rocked!
It looks like Josh Rawles has been cut.
Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oh Rawles is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawles closes the distance and clinches.
Rawles is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rawles seems to have got his legs back now.
Cruz keeps control of Rawles as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch but Rawles keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Cruz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rawles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rawles dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Rawles takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Josh Rawles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rawles ducks right into an uppercut from Cruz.
Rawles is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cruz.
Rawles has Cruz up against the ropes in a clinch.
Cruz tries to break free but Rawles pushes him back against the ropes.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawles taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rawles turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rawles manages to end up in side control.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but Rawles drags him back down.
Rawles really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rawles misses with the ground and pound.
Rawles is breathing heavily.
Rawles tries to move to mount but Cruz blocks the move with his legs.
Rawles creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cruz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Cruz is trying to buck Rawles off.
Rawles tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Cruz dodges the ground and pound from Rawles.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rawles forces Cruz back against the ropes and clinches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Rawles has the dominant position.
Rawles drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Rawles prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Rawles has clasped his hands together around Cruz's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Rawles misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Cruz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rawles.
Rawles stands up and beckons Cruz to his feet.
Rawles forces Cruz back against the ropes and clinches.
Rawles lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet.
Rawles is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz is trying to stand.
Rawles not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rawles throwing shots but Cruz is blocking nicely.
Rawles prevents Cruz from standing back up.
Rawles will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rawles shoots for a takedown but Cruz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rawles avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Paulo Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Paulo Cruz will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Josh Rawles's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Cruz goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rawles tries to score a body lock takedown but Cruz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rawles wants a takedown but no success here.
A frustrated look appears on Cruz's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rawles wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Rawles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawles drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cruz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rawles keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cruz's efforts to push away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cruz wants to break free but Rawles has control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Rawles has him pressed against the ropes.
Rawles has Cruz pressed against the ropes, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cruz tries to break the clinch but Rawles is controlling the position.
Rawles slowing the pace effectively.
Cruz tries to circle away but Rawles has him pinned against the ropes.
Cruz is pressed up against the ropes. Rawles has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cruz down to the mat. Cruz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rawles closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rawles lands in his opponent's guard.
Rawles makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rawles trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rawles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawles pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cruz is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rawles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but Rawles is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rawles throws a big right hand that misses.
Rawles postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rawles avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rawles will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Rawles moves out of range easily.
Cruz tries a head kick but it misses.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Rawles shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cruz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rawles.
Cruz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rawles. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rawles postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Rawles tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Rawles prevents Cruz from escaping the position.
Rawles in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Rawles creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cruz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rawles lands some shots froms side control.
Rawles working the ground and pound but Cruz is defending the strikes.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cruz throws a combination. Rawles tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rawles tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Rawles showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick and Rawles moves out of range easily.
Rawles fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cruz!
Cruz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cruz throws a head kick but Rawles moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Cruz.
Rawles shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cruz.
Cruz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rawles avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Good leg kick by Cruz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cruz lands a head kick. Rawles smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Jab from Cruz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Paulo Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josh Rawles's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Cruz lands with a hook. Rawles tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Rawles.
Rawles doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz tries to keep at a distance but Rawles has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rawles is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cruz is defending well for now.
Rawles can't get the takedown.
Rawles landing knees to the body.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rawles has Cruz pressed against the ropes, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rawles has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cruz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Rawles has the dominant position.
Rawles prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rawles is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Rawles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawles wants a takedown.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz tries to break free but Rawles pushes him back against the ropes.
Rawles prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Rawles has the dominant position.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch but Rawles keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawles won't allow it.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Rawles goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rawles shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rawles closes the distance and clinches up with Cruz, looking for a takedown. Rawles pushes Cruz against the ropes but Cruz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cruz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rawles backs up against the ropes.
Cruz lands with a slapping head kick.
Cruz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cruz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cruz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cruz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cruz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cruz cracks the inside of Rawles's front leg.
Cruz scores with a push kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Cruz - that will leave a mark!
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Cruz plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Josh Rawles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Cruz.
Cruz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rawles's sensitive parts.
Cruz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rawles walks forward, straight into a front kick from Cruz.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rawles shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cruz defends it nicely.
Rawles blocks a head kick by Cruz.
Josh Rawles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
Rawles moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.
Cruz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawles has him pressed against the ropes.
Rawles goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rawles tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a series of strikes that have Rawles backpedaling.
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rawles has managed to clinch.
Rawles has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cruz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rawles keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch but Rawles keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Rawles has double underhooks.
Rawles drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cruz pulls his leg out and moves away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cruz!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Paulo Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz connects with a high kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cruz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo 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
80% |
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