PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pawal Zagorskij (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Kruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zagorskij
vs
Kruz

172 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight 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, Pawal Zagorskij!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mark Kruz!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zagorskij looks to land a combination. Kruz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Mark Kruz has been cut.
Kruz is looking to clinch.
A nice combination there by Zagorskij.

Zagorskij clinches with his opponent.

Kruz works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kruz preventing the sweep.
Kruz wants to control from the top but Zagorskij keeps moving.
Zagorskij bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kruz's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zagorskij throws a big elbow that misses.
Zagorskij throwing strikes from guard but Kruz blocks nicely.
Kruz wants to sweep but no luck.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruz working a defensive guard here.

Zagorskij is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Zagorskij is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kruz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kruz has escaped and now he's on top!

Zagorskij 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kruz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kruz stopping the sweep attempt from Zagorskij.

Kruz stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kruz feints and as Zagorskij raises his hands in defense, Kruz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Zagorskij manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Kruz is trying to maintain a safe position but Zagorskij gets an underhook and turns Kruz into the cage.

Kruz gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruz is taking a breather. Zagorskij 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.
Zagorskij wants to improve his position but Kruz is controlling well.
Zagorskij trying to control here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zagorskij is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zagorskij does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zagorskij desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zagorskij tries to roll over but Kruz keeps him under control.

Kruz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kruz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Zagorskij closes the distance and clinches.

Zagorskij breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pawal Zagorskij dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Kruz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zagorskij swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Zagorskij clinches up against the cage.
Zagorskij struggles to land a body shot inside as Kruz controls his hands.
Kruz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Kruz pulls guard successfully.
Kruz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zagorskij manages to get himself to full guard.

Kruz is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zagorskij is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zagorskij has escaped and now he's on top!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zagorskij throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zagorskij stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Zagorskij throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zagorskij misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Zagorskij gets caught flat footed, as Kruz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zagorskij can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kruz controls the pace.
Zagorskij working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kruz.
Kruz postures up.
Kruz wants to pass the guard but Zagorskij is keeping the position.
Kruz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zagorskij's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruz won't allow Zagorskij to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Zagorskij bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kruz's guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kruz is on top in guard.

Zagorskij pulls Kruz in close to his closed guard and prevents Kruz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kruz throws a big right hand that misses.
Zagorskij trying to keep a closed guard but Kruz is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruz wants to pass the guard but Zagorskij is keeping the position.
Kruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Zagorskij is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruz throws a big elbow that misses.

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.
Zagorskij tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Zagorskij avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zagorskij shoots in but Kruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pawal Zagorskij seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zagorskij misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zagorskij tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kruz feints the counter takedown.
Zagorskij tries to clinch but Kruz moves out of range.

Kruz manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zagorskij on his heels. He'll look to pass Zagorskij's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kruz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zagorskij controls Kruz momentarily but Kruz frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Kruz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mark Kruz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kruz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kruz throwing strikes but Zagorskij manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Zagorskij trying to control the action but Kruz is working from the bottom.
Kruz tries to bench press Zagorskij off him but Zagorskij keeps the position.
Zagorskij trying to control the action but Kruz is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ground and pound from Zagorskij seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kruz gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruz is looking to improve his position.
Zagorskij thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zagorskij.
Zagorskij missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kruz is trying to maintain the position but Zagorskij is very close to passing his half guard.
Zagorskij throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two 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.
Zagorskij thows a huge punch but Kruz dodges it nicely.
Kruz regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Zagorskij.

Zagorskij drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kruz dives on top into guard.

Zagorskij utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kruz looking to sit in guard and control but Zagorskij gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zagorskij stops Kruz from standing up.
Kruz keeping moving, preventing Zagorskij from controlling successfully.
Kruz controls Zagorskij momentarily but Zagorskij frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Zagorskij feints and as Kruz raises his hands in defense, Zagorskij changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kruz looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Zagorskij puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kruz's head.
Zagorskij wants to take a breather but Kruz is having none of it.

Zagorskij gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Kruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zagorskij tries to sprawl but Kruz drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Zagorskij manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kruz keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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!

Zagorskij breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zagorskij looks for a takedown but Kruz sprawls well.
Kruz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pawal Zagorskij showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zagorskij has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pawal Zagorskij!