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 comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome to the Jungle. On his way into the cage it seems that Kale Cruz has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Kale Cruz seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Cruz
vs
Gold

168 cm
42
163 lbs
43 - 30 - 0

180 cm
30
161 lbs
12 - 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 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kale Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyell Gold!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gold uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Kyell Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz cracks a nice hook into Gold's ribs.
Gold throws a body shot but no joy.
Cruz darts in looking for a takedown but Gold gets double underhooks and turns Cruz into the cage.
Gold is looking for a takedown.
Gold is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gold tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cruz smiles and moves away.
Kale Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyell Gold.
Gold shoots in but no luck this time.

Cruz shoots in and bounces Gold off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Gold working a defensive guard here.
Cruz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gold looking for a guillotine here but Cruz defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a big elbow that misses.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz scoring with some ground and pound.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Gold.
Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Gold has wrist control.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Gold.
Cruz throws an elbow that misses. Gold uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cruz's guard. Nice move by Gold!

Cruz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold is in close to Cruz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gold working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cruz's head.
Gold pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cruz is keeping the position for now.
Gold in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gold preventing the sweep.
Cruz is trying to keep Gold in close.
Gold throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cruz looking for a sweep. Not yet Cruz, not yet.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is fighting to break Cruz's control of his arms but Cruz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Gold sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sloppy strikes from Gold. Those never looked like landing.
Cruz misses with an uppercut

and Gold counters with a shoot takedown. Cruz fights it but they end up in guard.
Gold working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gold passes Cruz's left leg - he's now in 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gold pulls his head out easily.
Gold prevents Cruz from improving his position.
Gold is thwarting Cruz's attempts to control the position.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gold.
Cruz is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Saboteur's Playground, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Gold trying to control from Cruz's half guard. Cruz has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Cruz isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gold stacks Cruz on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gold!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gold lands a decent elbow from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cruz scores with a jab.

Gold looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gold in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
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!

Gold is trying to keep Cruz in close.
Gold wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gold is trying to control the position but Cruz postures up.
Cruz is looking to pass into half guard but Gold pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Gold is in guard.

Gold stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cruz looking to control.

Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gold doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gold manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cruz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gold loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gold is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Gold has gone for a leg lock! Cruz slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gold's guard.

Gold wants to sweep here but Cruz controlling him for the moment.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Gold keeps moving.
Gold trying to control the position.
Cruz is in close to Gold's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Gold is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is trying to keep Cruz in close.
Gold bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cruz's guard.

Gold throwing strikes but missing.
Gold has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.
Kyell Gold has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gold pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cruz is keeping the position for now.
Gold is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gold is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
Gold slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gold working the head and body with strikes.
Gold tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cruz's legs.
Gold wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cruz keeps working.
Cruz wants to control but Gold postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
An elbow from Gold crashes against the mat.
Cruz is trying to improve his position.

Gold working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice body punch from Cruz.
Gold lands a jab-cross combination.
Cruz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cruz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gold throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Cruz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gold.
The crowd cheers as Cruz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gold doesn't seem phased though.
Cruz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gold moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
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!
Gold throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz throws out a powerful jab.
Gold looks for a takedown but Cruz sprawls well.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold shoots in but Cruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A shot to the body from Cruz misses

and Gold counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gold content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gold won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.
Gold working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cruz is controlling Gold's posture.
Gold throws a big right hand that misses.
Gold missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gold throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gold won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.

Cruz has his foot on Gold's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gold works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gold's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gold preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gold throws a big elbow that misses.
Gold trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gold postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A punch combination from Cruz misses.
Gold slips under a jab from Cruz.
Cruz throws a hook but Gold blocks it.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circling - Gold throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Gold fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cruz sprawls well initially but Gold persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gold wants to take a breather but Cruz is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to get back to full guard.
Gold stalling away here and it's allowed Cruz to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Cruz trying to control the position.
Cruz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gold defends well.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.
Gold working some strikes from top position.
Gold pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cruz is keeping the position for now.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gold is one step ahead there.
Gold chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyell Gold really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice jab there from Gold.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Gold has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gold swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz looks to throw the jab but Gold is out of range.

Cruz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cruz is keen to just control but Gold is a slippery customer.
Gold is trying to stand.
Gold is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gold blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.

Cruz is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gold wants to improve his position but Cruz is controlling well.
Gold is pressing down on Cruz's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Gold.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Gold keeps moving.
Gold manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.

Gold trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
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 keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz passes Gold's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gold is trying to maintain the position but Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.
Gold moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold looking for a sweep. Not yet Gold, not yet.
Cruz postures up.
Gold might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cruz haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Gold is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Cruz won't allow Gold to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cruz throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gold moves away.
Gold staying out of range there.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Gold.
Cruz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Gold is just out of range.
Nice cross by Gold.
Gold misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Cruz throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gold tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cruz is in Gold's guard.

Gold is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz distracts Gold with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kale Cruz had his way with Kyell Gold in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Gold throws a lazy uppercut
letting Cruz counter with a right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.
Nice sprawl there from Gold as Cruz shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kale Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gold closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gold lands in his opponent's guard.
Cruz has momentary wrist control but Gold slips an elbow through the middle.
Gold looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz trying to keep a closed guard but Gold is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.
Gold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gold wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Gold landing some decent shots from guard.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.
Cruz is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gold tries to get to full guard but Cruz has control of the leg.
Gold is not content to let Cruz control the position.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Gold is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gold regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gold looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold working a defensive guard but Cruz passes into half guard.
Gold is looking to control Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gold avoid being mounted?
Kale Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gold makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gold.
Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Gold has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Cruz should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Gold has tightened it up now! Cruz should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Kyell Gold! Kyell Gold retains his lightweight title!