PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kale Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyell Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Welcome to the Jungle. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cruz
vs
Gold

168 cm
42
163 lbs
43 - 29 - 0

180 cm
30
161 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 43 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kale Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyell Gold!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gold takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kyell Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gold lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gold fails to land with a series of punches.
Gold falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cruz counters with a nice uppercut.
Gold misses with a lunging right hand
and Cruz counters with a nice uppercut.
Cruz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A jab from Cruz misses.
Gold staying out of range there.
Gold lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
Cruz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz scoring well with a low kick there.
Cruz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

It looks like Kale Cruz has been cut.
Gold tries to bum rush Cruz with a series of wild strikes but Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cruz throws a hook but Gold avoids it easily.
Gold throws an overhand right that lands on Cruz's shoulder, as Cruz tries to avoid the shot.

Gold scores with a takedown into Cruz's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Cruz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gold gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gold controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gold trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gold is aware though and is defending well.

Cruz is looking for a triangle but Gold pushes his legs off easily.
Gold loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gold controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.
Gold forces his way into half guard.
Gold is trying to control the action in half guard but Cruz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gold controlling the action here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gold is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gold not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gold throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Gold trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cruz looking to control but Gold is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cruz cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gold working to try and regain half guard.
Cruz wants to control the action but instead Gold gets a body lock and reverses into Cruz's guard! Nice work!

Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz pulls Gold in close to his closed guard and prevents Gold from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gold loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gold distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cruz trying to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gold throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kale Cruz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cruz defending well as Gold loads up on a big left hand.
Cruz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gold connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Gold avoids them all with ease.
Gold moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Gold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gold looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cruz is fending him off so far but Gold persists. Nope, Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.
Gold is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gold moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Cruz takes one on the button.
Kyell Gold is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gold tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cruz defends well and Gold ends up having to push Cruz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gold.
Kale Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyell Gold.
Gold throws a body shot but no joy.
Cruz avoids the body shot from Gold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by Gold.
Gold might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gold. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gold sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Gold closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cruz to the mat! Cruz manages to get full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cruz is on top in guard.
Gold utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gold is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cruz lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gold thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gold looking for a sweep. Not yet Gold, not yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gold had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Gold is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.

Gold had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz working some strikes from top position.

Gold looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.
Cruz preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gold wants to sweep but no luck.
Gold keeps trying to improve his position.

Gold working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cruz has passed into half guard!
Cruz seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cruz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cruz connects with a nice short shot to Gold's temple.
Gold is staying active underneath Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gold wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy.
Gold has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Gold is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cruz lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold is trying to maintain the position but Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.
Cruz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gold keeps working.
Gold is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cruz trying to control the action but Gold is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Kale Cruz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyell Gold will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kale Cruz's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gold dives in and scores a takedown into Cruz's guard.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Gold postures up.
Kyell Gold has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gold works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gold is trying to control. Cruz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gold keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cruz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gold.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Gold working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Cruz's thigh. Cruz counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Gold postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.
Gold throws an elbow that misses. Cruz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gold's guard. Nice move by Cruz!
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gold working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cruz.

Gold has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz trying to control but Gold is working from the bottom.
Gold is looking to sweep but instead, Cruz has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold trying to control from the bottom.
Gold is trying to get back to full guard.
Gold wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy.
Gold is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gold has hold of Cruz's hands but Cruz slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gold gets full guard.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.

Gold is looking for a triangle but Cruz pushes his legs off easily.

Cruz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gold is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cruz, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to sweep but no luck.
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz has control of Gold's left arm, preventing Gold from doing any damage.
Gold looking to sit in guard and control but Cruz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gold has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cruz's guard.
Cruz is controlling Gold's posture.
Gold throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gold accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gold looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cruz wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gold is now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gold is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cruz sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kale Cruz's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gold displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.

Gold shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cruz is trying to defend but Gold finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gold thows a huge punch but Cruz dodges it nicely.
Cruz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gold.
Cruz trying to control here.
Gold missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gold has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Cruz manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cruz trying to control from the bottom.
Gold working the head and body with strikes.

Gold is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gold stalling.
Cruz is trying to maintain the position but Gold is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gold.
Cruz trying to hold on to Gold's head to control him but Gold postures up.
Gold with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Cruz with the active half guard here but Gold passes nicely into side control.
Cruz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gold fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Cruz is avoiding damage well.
Gold works to advance to full mount. Cruz defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Gold scoring with strikes but Cruz is staying in there.
Cruz really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gold has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gold takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gold tries to control but Cruz wriggling away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gold cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gold with shots to the head and body - Cruz looks very uncomfortable down there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gold in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold with shots to the head and body - Cruz looks very uncomfortable down there.

Cruz is rocked!
Gold prevents Cruz from getting the reversal.
Gold is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cruz can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Oh Cruz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gold tries to control but Cruz wriggling away.
Cruz is looking to get to half guard.
Gold lands a big elbow.
Gold in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gold postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Cruz in real trouble here! The ref calls for Cruz to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyell Gold!
Kyell Gold is the new lightweight champion!