PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shota Daiwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joey Cruz has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Shota Daiwa's chin.

Daiwa
vs
Cruz

178 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

157 cm
19
130 lbs
4 - 15 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shota Daiwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 15 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Joey Cruz!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daiwa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cruz looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Cruz throws a sloppy head kick
and Daiwa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Daiwa tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Daiwa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Daiwa instigates a clinch.
Daiwa lands a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Daiwa.
Knees in the clinch landing for Daiwa.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Daiwa lands a knee to the head.
Daiwa slows down the pace here.
Daiwa lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Daiwa blocking some punches.
Cruz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Daiwa.
Daiwa wants to stall.
Cruz tries to circle away but Daiwa has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daiwa scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Daiwa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cruz has Daiwa up against the cage in a clinch.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Daiwa scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Cruz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Daiwa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cruz swings wildly with an uppercut but Daiwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Daiwa is leaning against Cruz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Daiwa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Daiwa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Daiwa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Daiwa crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daiwa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Daiwa scores a nice knee to the body.
Daiwa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cruz smiles and moves away.
Daiwa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Daiwa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cruz back to the cage. Daiwa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A nice combination there by Daiwa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Daiwa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Daiwa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Cruz takes a kick to the side of the head.
Daiwa is working the combinations to good effect here.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Daiwa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Daiwa is trying to stall.
Daiwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Daiwa scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Daiwa has double underhooks.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Daiwa lands a knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Daiwa.
A right hand to the body from Daiwa.
Cruz swings wildly with an uppercut but Daiwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Daiwa has Cruz pressed against the cage.
Daiwa working hard to break the clinch.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Daiwa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Daiwa tries to pull guard but Cruz won't allow it.
Daiwa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cruz to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shota Daiwa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Daiwa scores with a knee to the head.
Daiwa lands a knee to the head.
Daiwa lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Daiwa throws a one two combo.

Daiwa rushes Cruz and presses him up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Daiwa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Daiwa works on Cruz's body with a couple of short punches.
Knees to the body from Daiwa.
Cruz being controlled against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daiwa closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Daiwa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shota Daiwa dominated that round.
That's time! Daiwa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Daiwa throws a combination. Cruz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Daiwa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Daiwa doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Daiwa dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Daiwa throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Daiwa lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Daiwa throws a head kick that half lands.
Daiwa slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Daiwa lands with a nice body punch.

Daiwa closes the distance and clinches.
Daiwa is trying to push Cruz away but Cruz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Daiwa leaning against his opponent.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Daiwa for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Daiwa lands a knee to the head.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Cruz in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Knees in the clinch landing for Daiwa.
Nice elbow from Daiwa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daiwa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Daiwa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
Daiwa crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Daiwa controlling the action here for a moment.
Daiwa has Cruz pressed against the cage, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Cruz's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Daiwa working Cruz over with knees to the body.
Shota Daiwa has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Daiwa lands a nice knee to the body.
Daiwa is trying to stall.
Daiwa keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Daiwa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to break the clinch but Daiwa is controlling the position.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
Daiwa lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Daiwa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Daiwa lands an elbow inside.
A shot in the inside from Daiwa.
Daiwa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Daiwa lands a knee to the body.
Daiwa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Daiwa stalling in the clinch but Cruz improves position.
Daiwa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cruz takes a shot to the head.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Daiwa scores a nice knee to the body.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
Cruz swings wildly with an uppercut but Daiwa uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Daiwa lands a hook that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Daiwa scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Cruz takes an elbow to the temple.
Daiwa lands an elbow inside.
Daiwa is trying to stall.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Daiwa lands a nice elbow.
Daiwa tries to stall but Cruz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Joey Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daiwa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Daiwa feints a jab promting Cruz to slip. Daiwa then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cruz slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cruz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Daiwa lands a head kick. Cruz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Daiwa lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Daiwa clinches up with Cruz and pushes him back against the cage.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Daiwa prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Daiwa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Daiwa is trying to break free.
Daiwa lands a body shot.
Daiwa landing knees to the head.
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!
Nice body punch from Daiwa.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daiwa lands a damaging elbow.
Cruz wants to break free but Daiwa has control.
Daiwa connects with a knee to the head.
Daiwa lands a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shota Daiwa dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Daiwa closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Daiwa obliges.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Good leg kick by Daiwa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Daiwa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cruz's head.

Daiwa rushes Cruz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cruz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Daiwa is trying to stall.
Daiwa keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for Daiwa.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daiwa lands a knee to the body.
Daiwa working Cruz over with knees to the body.
Daiwa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Daiwa lands a damaging elbow.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz takes an elbow to the temple.
Daiwa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Daiwa lands a nice elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Daiwa obliges.
Daiwa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cruz smiles and moves away.
Daiwa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Daiwa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Daiwa wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Daiwa lands a head kick. Cruz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Daiwa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Cruz moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Daiwa lands with a right hand.
Nice body kick from Daiwa.
Cruz throws a head kick but Daiwa moves out of range.
Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Daiwa wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Daiwa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
No joy there for Daiwa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Daiwa looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.

Cruz pushes Daiwa up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Daiwa is controlling him.
Daiwa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Daiwa is trying to break the clinch but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Daiwa creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Daiwa stalling in the clinch but Cruz improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daiwa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Daiwa.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Daiwa has double underhooks.
Daiwa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cruz is keeping busy.
Daiwa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Daiwa lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Daiwa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cruz is keeping busy.
Daiwa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Cruz walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daiwa works over Cruz's head and body with a nice combination.

Cruz clinches up against the cage.
Daiwa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cruz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Daiwa blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Daiwa.
Daiwa crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Daiwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cruz.
Daiwa landing knees to the body.
Joey Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daiwa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Daiwa blocks an uppercut.
Daiwa is looking to break free of the clinch but Cruz has double underhooks.
Daiwa scores a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daiwa scores with a knee to the head.
Cruz misses with the head strike.
Shota Daiwa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A shot in the inside from Daiwa.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shota Daiwa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Daiwa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shota Daiwa!