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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sten Biller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Biller comes to the cage accompanied by Lützenkirchen- Nutcracker. Santa Cruz has chosen 50 cent P.I.M.P as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 182 cm
38
178 lbs
46 - 35 - 0 |
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180 cm
29
175 lbs
16 - 9 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
46 - 35 - 0, fighting out of London, Sten Biller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Santa Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santa Cruz scores with a nice strike.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Biller doesn't manage to clinch there - Santa Cruz circles away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Biller looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Biller closes the distance and pushes Santa Cruz back into the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Santa Cruz.
Biller has clasped his hands together around Santa Cruz's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
You can see the frustration on Santa Cruz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Santa Cruz tries to buck Biller off but Biller is having none of it.
Santa Cruz can't do much from the bottom here.
Santa Cruz is looking to reverse the position.
Biller thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Biller thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santa Cruz parries the strikes from Biller easily there. Biller is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Santa Cruz to escape.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz gets back to half guard.
Biller has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Santa Cruz manages to get to full guard.
Santa Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Biller is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Biller accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Biller looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Biller stands and throws Santa Cruz's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Biller thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Biller is trying to get an arm triangle but Santa Cruz is defending well.
Biller tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Biller working the body and head with strikes.
Biller is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Santa Cruz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Biller connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Santa Cruz some visible discomfort.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Biller scoring with punches from side control.
Santa Cruz wants to control but Biller postures up.
Biller wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Santa Cruz, who protects the arm well.
Santa Cruz tries to buck Biller off but Biller is having none of it.
Biller fails to land a wild elbow strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz wants to control but Biller postures up.
Santa Cruz is looking to reverse the position.
Santa Cruz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Santa Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Biller.
Santa Cruz is looking for a sweep. Biller is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Biller takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Biller is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Santa Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Biller thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santa Cruz's head.
Santa Cruz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Biller tries to free his leg and advance position but Santa Cruz is retaining full guard.
Santa Cruz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Santa Cruz controls Biller momentarily but Biller frees himself.
Biller trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Biller is looking to work some ground and pound but Santa Cruz has wrist control.
Biller tries to free his leg and advance position but Santa Cruz is retaining full guard.
Biller postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Santa Cruz is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Biller, into his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Biller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sten Biller dominated that round.
That's time! Biller's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Biller shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Biller working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Santa Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Biller is aware though and is defending well.
Santa Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Biller is aware though and is defending well.
Biller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Santa Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Biller has managed to get both his arms back between Santa Cruz's legs - danger averted.
Santa Cruz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Biller avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Biller advances to half guard.
Santa Cruz trying to control but Biller postures up.
Sten Biller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Biller is trying to work for a kimura but Santa Cruz is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santa Cruz wants to control but Biller is keeping busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Biller is working for a submission of some sort.
Biller is working for a kimura but Santa Cruz is defending it quite comfortably.
Santa Cruz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Biller's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Biller's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santa Cruz punishes Biller with strikes from the back mount.
Santa Cruz keeps control of the position as Biller tries to break free.
Biller controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Biller tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Biller working to try and regain half guard.
Santa Cruz wants to control the pace but Biller is squirming around nicely.
Santa Cruz landing strikes, looking to finish!
Biller really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Biller bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Santa Cruz managing to control the position.
Biller throws an elbow that misses. Santa Cruz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Biller's guard. Nice move by Santa Cruz!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Santa Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Biller is keeping the position for now.
Biller working for a triangle but Santa Cruz defends it easily.
Santa Cruz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Biller has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Santa Cruz has managed to get both his arms back between Biller's legs - danger averted.
Santa Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Santa Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Biller keeping moving, preventing Santa Cruz from controlling successfully.
Santa Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Biller is looking for a triangle but Santa Cruz pushes his legs off easily.
Biller looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Biller looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Santa Cruz has picked Biller up and slammed him! Biller can't keep hold of the triangle and Santa Cruz manages to pass to side control!
Biller tries to buck Santa Cruz off but Santa Cruz is having none of it.
Santa Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Biller keeps working.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Biller takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santa Cruz working the body and head with strikes.
Biller tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Santa Cruz wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Santa Cruz is working Biller over with some ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Rafael Santa Cruz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Biller misses the jab.
Santa Cruz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sten Biller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Biller shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Santa Cruz as he avoids it easily.
Santa Cruz misses with a leg kick.
Biller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santa Cruz can pounce on him.
Santa Cruz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Biller. That did some damage!
Biller tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Santa Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Biller on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Biller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz dodges the punch combination from Biller.
Biller tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Santa Cruz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Santa Cruz has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Biller is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Santa Cruz throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Biller dives in and grabs Santa Cruz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santa Cruz pushes down on Biller's head and hops out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Biller dives in and grabs Santa Cruz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santa Cruz pushes down on Biller's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sten Biller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santa Cruz scores with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santa Cruz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Biller's calf.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Biller shoots in looking for a takedown but Santa Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Biller's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santa Cruz works Biller's body with a nice hook.
Santa Cruz dodges the punch combination from Biller.
Biller looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Biller on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Santa Cruz scores with a head kick.
Biller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santa Cruz can pounce on him.
Rafael Santa Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santa Cruz stuffs the takedown.
Santa Cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Biller's head backwards.
A solid body kick from Santa Cruz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santa Cruz drives through with a takedown into Biller's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Santa Cruz works over Biller with some ground and pound from guard.
Biller has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santa Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Santa Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Biller is keeping the position for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Santa Cruz is pushing down on Biller's leg trying to pass to half guard. Biller is fighting to maintain full guard but Santa Cruz has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ground and pound from Santa Cruz.
Biller makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Biller.
Biller throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Biller wants to sweep but no luck.
Biller working for submissions but it's allowed Santa Cruz to get to half guard.
Santa Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Santa Cruz seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Biller wants to get back to full guard.
Santa Cruz trying to control the action but Biller is working from the bottom.
Santa Cruz is nestled in close to Biller, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Santa Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Biller does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Biller flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Santa Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Biller is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Santa Cruz pulls his head out easily.
Biller is staying active underneath Santa Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Biller is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Santa Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Biller looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Biller wants to get back to full guard.
Santa Cruz is taking a breather. Biller says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Biller actively working from the bottom here.
Biller looking for submissions off his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santa Cruz wants to take a breather but Biller is having none of it.
Biller tries to get to full guard but Santa Cruz has control of the leg.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Santa Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Santa Cruz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rafael Santa Cruz!
Post fight, an emotional Rafael Santa Cruz said 'I'm fucking good aren't I? Been a pleasure. Coming for the title.'.
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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
99% |
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