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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bam Margera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santa Cruz comes into the arena with 50 cent P.I.M.P blaring out of the sound system. Margera is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Clutch - The Regulator. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 180 cm
37
170 lbs
31 - 26 - 2 |
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180 cm
34
160 lbs
29 - 20 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
31 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Santa Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
29 - 20 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bam Margera!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santa Cruz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Margera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Margera throws a head kick that misses.
Santa Cruz throwing a counter right hand but Margera manages to avoid it.
Margera scores with a spinning back kick!
Santa Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santa Cruz cracks the inside of Margera's front leg.
Margera changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Santa Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Margera misses with a head kick.
Margera moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Margera throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Margera ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Margera misses with a straight left.
Margera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santa Cruz.
Bam Margera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Margera throws a leg kick but Santa Cruz moved away.
Santa Cruz feinted with a counter takedown.
Margera takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Margera throws a body kick that misses.
Margera takes one to the side of the head.
Margera looks to throw the jab but Santa Cruz is out of range.
Santa Cruz with a nice cross.
Margera takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Margera looks to score with a jab to the body but Santa Cruz is just out of range.
Margera avoids the head kick by Santa Cruz.
Margera misses with a wild body shot.
Santa Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Santa Cruz misses with a series of wild punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margera slips a jab from Santa Cruz.
A lazy left from Santa Cruz finds it's target.
Margera looks to land a body kick but Santa Cruz moved away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Margera is predictable there
so Santa Cruz counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Margera wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Santa Cruz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Santa Cruz throwing strikes from guard but Margera blocks nicely.
Margera is pulling down on Santa Cruz's head to control his posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Santa Cruz throws a big right hand that misses.
Santa Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santa Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santa Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Margera utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Margera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Santa Cruz won't allow Margera to sweep him here.
Margera has Santa Cruz pulled in close to control his posture.
Santa Cruz lands a couple of elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Margera controlling Santa Cruz's posture.
Margera looking for a sweep. Not yet Margera, not yet.
Santa Cruz is fighting to break Margera's control of his arms but Margera is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Margera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Santa Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santa Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Santa Cruz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Santa Cruz 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.
Margera has momentary wrist control but Santa Cruz slips an elbow through the middle.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
Rafael Santa Cruz dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Santa Cruz missing with a left hand there. Margera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Margera lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bam Margera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Margera moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Santa Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Margera swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Good leg kick by Margera there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Santa Cruz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Margera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Margera throws a body punch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Santa Cruz avoids the head kick by Margera.
An inside leg kick lands from Santa Cruz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Margera throws a body kick that misses.
Santa Cruz lands a head shot.
Margera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Margera throws a solid leg kick but Santa Cruz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Margera.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Margera.
Bam Margera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Margera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santa Cruz.
It looked like Santa Cruz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Santa Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by Margera.
Santa Cruz throws the left hand but Margera avoids the punch easily.
Margera fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Santa Cruz is out of range.
Santa Cruz cracks a nice hook into Margera's ribs.
Santa Cruz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And Margera responds with a good body kick, but Santa Cruz manages to step out the way in time.
Margera looks to land a left hand but Santa Cruz moved out of range nicely.
Margera misses with a low kick.
Margera staying out of range there.
Margera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Margera moved away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Santa Cruz misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Margera to counter with a crisp jab.
Margera throws an off balance right hand
and Santa Cruz counters with a head kick. That will keep Margera thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Santa Cruz shoots in but Margera avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Santa Cruz scores with a jab. Margera acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santa Cruz shoots in but Margera avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A swing and a miss from Margera.
Santa Cruz drops down looking for a counter takedown but Margera sprawls and moves away.
Santa Cruz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Margera manages to avoid it.
Margera tries a quick counter leg kick but Santa Cruz is wise to it.
Margera looking to land some kicks to the body here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margera will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Jab by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz avoids the head kick by Margera.
Santa Cruz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Margera stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Margera looks to clinch
and Santa Cruz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Margera shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Santa Cruz scoring well with a low kick there.
Santa Cruz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Margera.
Margera looks to throw a body kick
letting Santa Cruz counter with a right hand.
Santa Cruz misses with a straight left.
Santa Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Margera misses with a few strikes there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margera defending well as Santa Cruz loads up on a big left hand.
Margera takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santa Cruz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A punch lands to the side of Margera 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Santa Cruz throws a hook but Margera avoids it easily.
Margera misses with a low kick.
Margera tries a head kick but it misses.
Margera misses with a body kick.
Margera misses with a leg kick.
Santa Cruz lands a nice shot that snaps Margera's head back.
Santa Cruz misses with a leg kick
and Margera counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
Rafael Santa Cruz dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Santa Cruz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Margera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Santa Cruz scrambles back to his feet.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick, looking for Margera's leg but Margera calmly moves out of range.
Santa Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Margera moves away from the strike by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Margera looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Santa Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Margera walks into a stiff left hand from Santa Cruz.
Margera closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Margera scores with a leg kick.
Margera tries to clinch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Santa Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
Santa Cruz avoids the head kick by Margera.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Margera tries to sprawl but Santa Cruz drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Margera tries to get to full guard but Santa Cruz has control of the leg.
Margera is trying to maintain the position but Santa Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.
Santa Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Margera is looking for a sweep. Santa Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Margera is trying is best to control the position here.
Santa Cruz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Margera has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Santa Cruz is working away from the top position though.
Santa Cruz controlling the pace.
Margera trying to hold on to Santa Cruz's head to control him but Santa Cruz postures up.
Santa Cruz takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Bam Margera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Margera's head.
Margera wants to control but Santa Cruz is keeping busy.
Margera gets full guard.
Margera managing to control the position.
Santa Cruz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Santa Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Santa Cruz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Santa Cruz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Santa Cruz postures up.
Rafael Santa Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Margera trying to control the position here.
Santa Cruz stays in close to Margera's body and controls the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margera looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Margera's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Margera wants to sweep but no luck.
Santa Cruz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Margera feints and then cracks Santa Cruz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Santa Cruz down.
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.
Santa Cruz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Margera.
Santa Cruz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Santa Cruz moves out of range as Margera strikes.
Margera throws a leg kick that is checked
and Santa Cruz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Santa Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Margera throws out a counter right but Santa Cruz avoids it with no problem.
Santa Cruz lands a jab to Margera's midsection.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The fighters circling - Santa Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Margera tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Santa Cruz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Santa Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Santa Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Santa Cruz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Santa Cruz!
A very excited looking Rafael Santa Cruz made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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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
45% |
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