PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dom Cruz (ranked 917 p4p, 44 weight class) and Pepe Maldini (ranked 2642 p4p, 129 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cruz
vs
Maldini

172 cm
25
144 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

165 cm
26
145 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dom Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Pepe Maldini!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Franklyn Lucas and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maldini sprawls well initially but Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Maldini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full 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 landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cruz is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cruz prevents Maldini from getting the reversal.
Maldini tries to lock up and control but Cruz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
We've been hearing that Cruz has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Cruz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maldini is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maldini is in a horrible position here. Cruz smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maldini is bucking up trying to escape but Cruz cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maldini regains half guard.

Maldini actively working from the bottom here.
Maldini trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.
Maldini 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 breaks Maldini's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maldini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cruz stands up over Maldini, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Maldini working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cruz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cruz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Maldini controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
Maldini keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Maldini controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.

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

Cruz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Maldini keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cruz's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cruz working some strikes from top position.
Cruz trying to control but Maldini is working from the bottom.

Maldini working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Maldini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maldini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cruz advances position into side control!
Cruz working the head with strikes.
The referee asks Cruz politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Cruz prefers to stall for the moment though.
Maldini is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Cruz's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Cruz tries for a kimura but Maldini is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Maldini's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Maldini is trying to get back to his feet.
Cruz lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Cruz works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Cruz trying to control the action but Maldini is working from the bottom.
Maldini tries to buck Cruz off but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz cracks Maldini with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Cruz is trying to get an arm triangle but Maldini is defending well.
Maldini wants to control but Cruz postures up.
Cruz working the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldini is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Maldini looking for submissions off his back.

Cruz seems to be working for a kimura but Maldini defends the submission attempt.
Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cruz throws a head kick that misses
and Maldini counters with a leg kick.
Dom Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Maldini makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Maldini avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Maldini swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maldini fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cruz is out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
Maldini swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Maldini does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maldini buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maldini moves out of range of the body kick from Cruz.
Maldini scores with a hook to the body. Cruz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cruz is looking to score with low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some bone on bone action there as Maldini checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cruz backing away here, and Maldini unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maldini.
Cruz misses with a low kick as Maldini jumps back.
Maldini lands a right hook to the body.
Cruz checks a low kick from Maldini.
Maldini looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini feints and then cracks Cruz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cruz down.
Cruz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Maldini walks into a stiff left hand from Cruz.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maldini can do to turn this around?
A head kick misses from Cruz.
A countering left hand to the body from Maldini misses.
Dom Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maldini on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maldini lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Maldini lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Maldini takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Maldini misses the shot to the body.
Cruz is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Maldini.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cruz.
Maldini lands a nice shot to the body.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Maldini saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dom Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maldini listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pepe Maldini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cruz manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maldini on his heels. He'll look to pass Maldini's guard now, I'm sure.
Cruz cracks Maldini with a solid left hand.

Maldini looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cruz trying to control but Maldini is working from the bottom.
Cruz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maldini's head.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Maldini is retaining full guard.
Maldini pulls Cruz in close to his closed guard and prevents Cruz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cruz passes Maldini's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Maldini is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruz pulls his head out easily.
Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maldini with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Maldini wants to improve his position but Cruz is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maldini is just riding it out for now. Cruz eventually gives up the hold.
Cruz lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cruz slips a nice elbow through Maldini's hands, connecting with Maldini's forehead.
Maldini trying to control from the bottom.
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.

Maldini looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maldini is refusing to be controlled, as Cruz sits in half guard.
Cruz winds up and cracks Maldini with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Cruz there.
Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cruz lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz lands with a punch from half guard.

Maldini looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
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 Maldini's temple.
Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maldini with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Maldini taking some punishment here, with Cruz in his half guard.
Maldini tries to roll over but Cruz keeps him under control.
Cruz uses his free foot to push down on Maldini's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Maldini.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz lands a heavy elbow.
Maldini is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Maldini wants to control but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz landing shots from mount.
Maldini wants to hold on but Cruz pushes him away.
Cruz pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cruz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maldini is out of range and Cruz settles back down.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Maldini, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Maldini against the cage but Maldini circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maldini takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Maldini just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz connects with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Maldini there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Maldini keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Maldini appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Maldini throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Cruz throwing a counter right hand but Maldini manages to avoid it.
Maldini cracks a nice hook into Cruz's ribs.
Maldini throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Maldini misses.
Maldini misses the shot to the body.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maldini.
Cruz lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Maldini avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Maldini jabs Cruz to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz gets a double leg takedown into Maldini's guard.
Cruz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Maldini working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Maldini takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cruz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Maldini looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cruz pushes down on Maldini's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Cruz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Cruz seems to be looking for submissions.
Cruz wants to pass to mount but Maldini is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz prevents Maldini from improving his position.
Cruz is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Maldini is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Maldini tries to reverse the position but Cruz maintains control.
Cruz looking to control but Maldini is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dom Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz landing punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maldini tries to hold on but Cruz postures up.
Cruz content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini tries to hold on but Cruz postures up.
Cruz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Pepe Maldini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dom Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini tries to lock up and control but Cruz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Maldini is looking to improve his position but Cruz isn't that keen on the idea.
Cruz looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cruz seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Maldini for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz looking to control but Maldini is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maldini throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dom Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dom Cruz!
Post fight, Dom Cruz stared into the camera and said 'Ive said it over and over. No one can match my training, my speed, my intelligence. I won this fight before I stepped into the ring.'.