PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gilles Le Gars (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Le Gars
vs
Cruz

181 cm
20
187 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

181 cm
26
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gilles Le Gars!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chad Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Columbo Gatti and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.

Cruz decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Le Gars is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Le Gars's head.
Cruz landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz trying to control from half guard but Le Gars is working away.
Cruz is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chad Cruz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Le Gars stuffs the takedown.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Le Gars, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Le Gars against the cage but Le Gars circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gilles Le Gars has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Cruz.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Le Gars sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Le Gars counters with a solid body kick.
Cruz looks winded!
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Le Gars saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Le Gars manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt
and Le Gars makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Cruz really felt that one!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Le Gars.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Le Gars as he jumps to the side.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Le Gars sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Le Gars but Le Gars pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gilles Le Gars is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars shows good takedown defense.
Chad Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Le Gars sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Le Gars keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le Gars leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cruz shoots and misses

and Le Gars counters with a head kick that drops Cruz to the mat! Cruz scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Cruz is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Le Gars sprawls well.
Cruz is still on wobbly legs! Can Le Gars finish him?
Le Gars displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le Gars tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le Gars to the ground. Le Gars escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz seems to have recovered his senses.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Le Gars but Le Gars pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilles Le Gars dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cruz tries for a takedown but Le Gars sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Gilles Le Gars has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Cruz.
Nice sprawl there from Le Gars as Cruz shoots in.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars avoids it really well and circles away.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Le Gars as he jumps to the side.
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Le Gars which made him look bad.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Le Gars sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gilles Le Gars is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cruz with a poor takedown
and Le Gars counters with a body kick that stops Cruz in his tracks momentarily.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le Gars tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le Gars to the ground. Le Gars escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars avoids it really well and circles away.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Le Gars defends it nicely.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Le Gars but Le Gars pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Gars swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Le Gars leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Le Gars sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Le Gars which made him look bad.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Le Gars as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cruz.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le Gars tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le Gars to the ground. Le Gars escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Le Gars sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Le Gars stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Le Gars wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cruz dives in and grabs Le Gars's left leg, looking for a takedown. Le Gars pushes down on Cruz's head and hops out.
Nice takedown defense from Le Gars. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Le Gars sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Le Gars keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Le Gars saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Le Gars stuffs the takedown.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Le Gars which made him look bad.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Le Gars sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Le Gars which made him look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Le Gars. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
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 Gilles Le Gars will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Le Gars saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Gars swivels and escapes.
Gilles Le Gars has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Cruz.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
No luck for Cruz with that takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Le Gars.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Le Gars tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Le Gars manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Le Gars is fending him off so far but Cruz persists. Nope, Le Gars circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Le Gars as he avoids it easily.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Le Gars as he avoids it easily.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Le Gars manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Le Gars defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cruz.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Le Gars pinned against the cage. Le Gars gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le Gars tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le Gars to the ground. Le Gars escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gilles Le Gars is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Le Gars pinned against the cage. Le Gars gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Gars swivels and escapes.
Chad Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Le Gars manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Le Gars sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice takedown defense from Le Gars. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Gars swivels and escapes.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Le Gars counters with a nice body kick.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown but Le Gars manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cruz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Le Gars counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Le Gars circles away.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Le Gars pinned against the cage. Le Gars gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but Le Gars sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le Gars tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le Gars to the ground. Le Gars escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Le Gars. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Le Gars saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Le Gars swivels and escapes.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Le Gars but Le Gars pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Le Gars saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Le Gars moves out of range of the leg kick from Cruz.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Le Gars shows good takedown defense.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Le Gars sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cruz.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gilles Le Gars.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Le Gars, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilles Le Gars!
During a confident post fight interview, Gilles Le Gars thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.