PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zak Drezner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Humberto Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drezner's entrance music is Cypress Hill - Checkmate. A fine choice. Cruz has chosen Deja Vu as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Humberto Cruz enters the cage!

Drezner
vs
Cruz

175 cm
29
162 lbs
25 - 5 - 1

170 cm
30
165 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

New World Order Clothing
Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Conviction
160!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zak Drezner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Humberto Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drezner moves away.
Drezner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Cruz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cruz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cruz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Drezner walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cruz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Drezner swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Drezner misses with a combination
and Cruz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cruz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Drezner.
Drezner misses with a low kick.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drezner.
Drezner lands with an uppercut that bounces Cruz off the cage and back into range.
Drezner fails in his attempt to clinch.
A combination from Drezner does no damage.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Drezner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Drezner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drezner was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drezner moves away.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.

Drezner closes the distance and clinches.
Cruz lands a nice uppercut.
The referee calls for Cruz to work.
Cruz misses with a hook from the clinch.

Drezner manages to break the clinch.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zak Drezner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Drezner blocks a jab.
Cruz lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drezner lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Humberto Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz throws a leg kick but Drezner checks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz throws a leg kick
and Drezner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drezner lands a really nice looking cross but Cruz seems unphased.
Drezner scores with a jab. Cruz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Drezner takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Drezner.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drezner.
Drezner throws a jab when Cruz was well out of range.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
An inside leg kick lands from Drezner.
Cruz throws a shot from downtown. Drezner moves away and avoids it.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz moves forwards but Drezner connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drezner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cruz misses with a body shot.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Drezner.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice shot by Drezner.
Drezner keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cruz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Drezner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Drezner lands with a slapping head kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Cruz.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Drezner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Cruz checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Drezner throws a solid leg kick but Cruz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Drezner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Drezner throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cruz does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Cruz lets loose with a powerful body kick. Drezner will feel that in the morning.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Drezner connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Drezner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Drezner blocks a low kick nicely.
Cruz misses with a low kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Drezner.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz scores with a hook.
Drezner bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Drezner dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Drezner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Drezner is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Drezner lands a jab to the nose.
Cruz on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Drezner throws a wild body kick that Cruz sees coming a mile off.
A shot to the body from Cruz misses
and Drezner counters with an inside leg kick.
Drezner takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cruz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Drezner misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Drezner is looking to clinch.
Drezner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cruz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Drezner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cruz explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Zak Drezner is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drezner.
Cruz lands a body shot.
Drezner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Drezner.
Cruz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Drezner rather than just go for the knockout.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Drezner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Drezner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Drezner misses with a low kick.
Cruz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Drezner blocks the body kick.
Drezner misses with a hook. Cruz ducked under it nicely.
Cruz throws a body kick that misses
and Drezner makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a predictable looking body shot
and Drezner makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Drezner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Drezner throws a leg kick but Cruz checks it.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Drezner.
Drezner misses with a hook. Cruz ducked under it nicely.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drezner as he jumps to the side.
Drezner walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drezner lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Good shot there by Drezner.
Drezner lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cruz takes a step back to recover.
Cruz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Drezner momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Drezner looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Drezner avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Drezner misses with a looping left.
Cruz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Drezner.
Cruz misses with a head kick.
Cruz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Drezner connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cruz scrambles back to his feet.
Cruz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cruz.
Cruz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Drezner looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Drezner misses with a leg kick
and Cruz counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drezner tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz lands a nice looking body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Drezner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Drezner looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Drezner doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Drezner lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Drezner throws a hook to the side of Cruz's head but Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cruz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Drezner avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Drezner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Drezner is just out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drezner was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Drezner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cruz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zak Drezner will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Cruz. That's going to slow Drezner down.
Cruz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Drezner.
Drezner moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A solid leg kick lands there for Drezner.

Drezner moves into the clinch successfully.
Cruz is trying to maintain a safe position but Drezner gets an underhook and turns Cruz into the cage.
Drezner scores with a shoulder strike.
Drezner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Drezner.
Cruz scores with a hook to the body.
Cruz lands a nice shot to the body.
Drezner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drezner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cruz letting Drezner take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drezner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cruz swings wildly with an uppercut but Drezner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cruz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cruz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cruz digs a right hand into Drezner's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Drezner's gas tank.
Drezner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Cruz.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drezner looking to slow down the pace here.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cruz tries to throw a body punch but Drezner avoids it by throwing Cruz back against the cage.
Humberto Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz gets through Drezner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Drezner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Drezner working hard to break the clinch.
Cruz avoids the elbow strike from Drezner, against the cage.
Cruz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Drezner backwards.
Nice elbow from Drezner.
Cruz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Drezner's elbow.
Drezner is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cruz is leaning against Drezner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Cruz works on Drezner's body with a couple of short punches.
Cruz lands a nice uppercut.
Cruz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short left from Cruz.
Humberto Cruz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cruz holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Drezner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz works on Drezner's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hand to the body from Cruz.
Drezner tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Drezner back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Cruz.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cruz is leaning against Drezner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Cruz lands an uppercut.
Drezner trying to stall but Cruz improves his position.
Cruz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Cruz.
Cruz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Drezner keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cruz tries to work over Drezner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Drezner can't break the clinch.
Drezner missing with knees to the body.
Zak Drezner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz lands a body punch.
Drezner avoiding damage as Cruz throws knees to the body.
Cruz trying to stall but Drezner improves his position.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Drezner moves forwards but Cruz connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Drezner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz delivers a nice body kick.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drezner was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Cruz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cruz throws a leg kick
and Drezner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Drezner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz takes one on the button.
Cruz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Drezner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Drezner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Humberto Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Drezner has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!