PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kale Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuu Matsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome to the Jungle. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cruz
vs
Matsumoto

168 cm
40
163 lbs
40 - 28 - 0

175 cm
40
159 lbs
26 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kale Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuu Matsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matsumoto slips a straight right by Cruz.
Cruz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cruz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matsumoto in his tracks.
Cruz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsumoto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cruz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matsumoto's head.
Cruz lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsumoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
Cruz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Matsumoto shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cruz is trying to defend but Matsumoto finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matsumoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cruz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsumoto is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
Matsumoto passes Cruz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cruz wants to control but Matsumoto is keeping busy.

Matsumoto is trying to work for a kimura but Cruz is defending well.
Matsumoto wants to free his trapped foot but Cruz is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Matsumoto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cruz is just riding it out for now. Matsumoto eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Matsumoto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Matsumoto's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsumoto tries to escape the position.
Matsumoto is trying to remain composed but Cruz is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Cruz is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsumoto staying busy and making it hard for Cruz to control.
Cruz controlling well, preventing Matsumoto from escaping the position.
Cruz scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

Matsumoto is rocked!
Cruz connects with a couple of big shots that have Matsumoto covering up! Oh, this looks bad for Matsumoto! Cruz fires away with several more unanswered shots and the referee has no choice but to step in! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kale Cruz!
Kale Cruz is the new lightweight champion!
Kale Cruz thanked the fans post fight for their support.