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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Harry Kalas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kale Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalas comes to the cage accompanied by I Abstain, Converge. Cruz is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Welcome to the Jungle. This should be fireworks!
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| 174 cm
24
162 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
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168 cm
22
163 lbs
10 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Determined |
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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
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Harry Kalas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kale Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cruz stalling.
Cruz lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kalas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kalas trying to control but Cruz postures up.
Cruz slips a nice elbow through Kalas's hands, connecting with Kalas's forehead.
Kalas is trying to get back to full guard.
Cruz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cruz working over Kalas with some ground and pound. Kalas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cruz lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Kalas is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is thwarting Kalas's attempts to control the position.
Cruz tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kalas knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cruz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kalas tries to roll over but Cruz keeps him under control.
Cruz wants to take a breather but Kalas is having none of it.
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.
Cruz is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kalas is not content to let Cruz control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kalas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cruz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cruz's back!
Cruz covering up well under a series of strikes from Kalas.
You can see the frustration on Cruz's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kalas is not going to allow Cruz to sit and survive in this position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kalas's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Cruz tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalas looking to control but Cruz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kalas landing strikes from the mount.
Cruz tries to lock up and control but Kalas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cruz tries to reverse the position but Kalas maintains control.
Kalas wants to control the pace but Cruz is squirming around nicely.
Kalas prevents Cruz from getting the reversal.
Cruz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kalas looking to finish with strikes here!
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.
BOOM! Kalas connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kalas has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cruz's face.
Cruz holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kalas tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Cruz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kalas connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Cruz tries to hold on but Kalas pushes him away.
Cruz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kalas thowing shots but they're missing.
Kalas controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Kale Cruz will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kalas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kalas pinned against the cage. Kalas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Kalas tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kalas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalas moves into the clinch.
Kalas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Harry Kalas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kale Cruz.
The referee calls for Kalas to work.
Kalas using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kalas misses with a knee strike.
Kalas landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cruz avoiding damage as Kalas throws knees to the body.
Kalas using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Cruz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kalas prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kalas.
Kalas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalas throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Kalas.
Kalas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kalas lands a head kick. Cruz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Cruz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A head kick from Kalas lands but Cruz takes it in his stride.
Harry Kalas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Kalas tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kalas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalas darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Kalas.
Kalas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.
Kalas unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kalas unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kalas prevents the takedown attempt.
Kalas landing knees to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kalas scores with a knee to the head.
Cruz is trying to drag Kalas to the mat but Kalas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cruz avoiding damage as Kalas throws knees to the body.
Kalas is looking to control Cruz's arms but Cruz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kalas has his back to the cage.
Kalas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cruz blocks a head kick by Kalas.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Kalas, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Kalas against the cage but Kalas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kalas throws a head kick that Cruz semi-blocks.
Cruz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kalas's waist but Kalas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cruz off to one side.
Kalas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cruz momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Kalas which made him look bad.
Kalas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kalas wants to clinch.
Kalas tries to clinch but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz shoots in but Kalas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kalas has Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Kalas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cruz blocks it with crossed arms.
Kalas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cruz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kalas with a knee to the head.
Kalas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants a takedown.
Kalas misses with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cruz looking for a takedown.
Kalas landing knees to the body.
Kalas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Kalas. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Kalas tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kalas has momentary wrist control but Cruz slips an elbow through the middle.
Cruz won't allow Kalas to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kalas is working hard here to advance position.
Cruz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cruz keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Harry Kalas dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Kalas connects with a high kick.
Kalas tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
Kalas tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
Kalas closes the distance and clinches.
Cruz lands a takedown into guard.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Kalas keeps moving.
Kalas working a defensive guard but Cruz passes into half guard.
Kalas is staying active underneath Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kalas gets full guard.
Kalas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cruz is wriggling around trying to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Kalas there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kalas trying to control but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz tries to lock up and control but Kalas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kalas looking to finish with strikes here!
Cruz wants to hold on but Kalas pushes him away.
Kalas throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Cruz holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kalas tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Cruz wants to control but Kalas is having none of it.
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.
Kalas prevents Cruz from getting the reversal.
Kalas throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kalas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cruz is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Cruz is working to get back to half guard.
Kalas trying to control but Cruz is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Cruz trying to hold on to Kalas's head to control him but Kalas postures up.
Kale Cruz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cruz is pressing down on Kalas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kalas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kalas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cruz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kalas is desperately trying to improve his position but Cruz has a good base and remains in mount.
Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Cruz landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalas throwing hammer fists to the chest of Cruz. What's that going to do exactly?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kale Cruz really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kalas swivels and escapes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cruz looks for a takedown but Kalas sprawls well.
Kalas scores with a three punch combo!
It looks like Kale Cruz has been cut.
Kalas cracks the inside of Cruz's front leg.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kalas gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kalas lands a knee to the body.
Kalas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cruz blocks an elbow strike.
Kalas lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.
Kalas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cruz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kalas gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Harry Kalas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kale Cruz.
Kalas landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Kalas.
Kalas throws an elbow but it misses.
Kalas trying to land knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cruz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kalas is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kalas just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cruz's brow.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Kalas manages to get underhooks.
Kalas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Kalas.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Kalas sprawls well.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kalas.
Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cruz is looking to stall here but Kalas recovers full guard.
Kalas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kalas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz working some strikes from top position.
Kalas is looking to stand back up but Cruz counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kalas.
Cruz is looking to take a break and control but Kalas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cruz content to control rather than advance.
Cruz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Cruz scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Cruz stalling away here and it's allowed Kalas to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kalas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kalas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cruz's guard.
Cruz has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
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.
Cruz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kalas manages to get himself to full guard.
Kalas looking for a sweep. Not yet Kalas, not yet.
Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cruz lands a couple of digs.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Kalas keeps moving.
Kalas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Harry Kalas had his way with Kale Cruz in 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Cruz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kalas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kalas is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kalas won't allow Cruz to pass to mount.
Kalas tries to get to full guard but Cruz has control of the leg.
Kalas regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cruz.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cruz lands a couple of digs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalas keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.
Cruz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kalas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalas trying to strike off his back.
Cruz controlling from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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.
Kalas 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.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kalas missing with a left hand there. Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kalas tries to clinch but Cruz is having none of it.
Kalas moves away from the strike by Cruz.
Nice body kick from Kalas.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Kalas shows good takedown defense.
Kalas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Kalas lands a knee to the head.
Kalas tries to land knees in the clinch but Cruz avoids the damage to the body.
Kalas trying to land knees to the body.
Kalas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cruz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Kalas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kalas wants to clinch.
Cruz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kalas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kalas looking to control but Cruz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kalas is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cruz is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's four 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.
Kalas is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Cruz has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Cruz!
Cruz pushing down on Kalas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruz moves into full mount! Kalas won't be happy about that!
Kalas throwing hammer fists to the chest of Cruz. What's that going to do exactly?
Kalas bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kalas wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kale Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kale Cruz!
Kale Cruz is the new lightweight champion!
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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
79% |
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