PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Corey Mcgraugh (ranked 6266 p4p, 602 weight class) and Marcus Cruz (ranked 6946 p4p, 634 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.

Mcgraugh
vs
Cruz

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Annihilation Apparel

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Corey Mcgraugh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz lands a jab to the head.
Mcgraugh throws a hook but Cruz blocks it.
Mcgraugh looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mcgraugh's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cruz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mcgraugh scrambles back to his feet.
Mcgraugh takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cruz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mcgraugh throws out the jab.
Mcgraugh lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cruz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz throws a right and a left that Mcgraugh avoids nicely.
Mcgraugh avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Mcgraugh scores with a nice body kick.
Mcgraugh avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Mcgraugh avoids them all with ease.
Mcgraugh wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Cruz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cruz tries to move into range but Mcgraugh moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mcgraugh.
Mcgraugh moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Cruz let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mcgraugh circles away quickly and effectively.
Cruz misses with the combination.
Mcgraugh misses with a leg kick.
Mcgraugh scores with a nice body kick.
Mcgraugh avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cruz lands a two punch combo.
Cruz takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cruz lands a right hook to the body.
Mcgraugh is looking to land body kicks.
A jab from Mcgraugh misses.
Cruz is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcgraugh throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Mcgraugh takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cruz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mcgraugh rather than just go for the knockout.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Mcgraugh has Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Mcgraugh fails to land.
Mcgraugh lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Marcus Cruz has been cut.
Mcgraugh fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mcgraugh throws an elbow but misses.
Mcgraugh is trying to stall.
Cruz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mcgraugh fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cruz blocking some punches.
Mcgraugh lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Cruz's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Mcgraugh won't allow it.
Mcgraugh goes for a takedown attempt but Cruz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mcgraugh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cruz slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a right hand
letting Mcgraugh counter with a right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mcgraugh.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mcgraugh keeps Cruz at a distance using the push kick.
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Mcgraugh off the cage and back into range.
Mcgraugh pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz slips a jab from Mcgraugh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Mcgraugh does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mcgraugh misses with a looping left.
A cross from Mcgraugh lands.
Mcgraugh walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cruz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Mcgraugh instigates a clinch.
Mcgraugh keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mcgraugh keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mcgraugh misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cruz.
Come on Cruz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mcgraugh misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz blocks an elbow strike from Mcgraugh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mcgraugh prevents Cruz from breaking the clinch.
Mcgraugh misses with a hook from the clinch.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Mcgraugh takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cruz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mcgraugh stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cruz jabs at Mcgraugh's body.
Mcgraugh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
Jab by Mcgraugh.
A combination from Mcgraugh does no damage.
Cruz throws a right hand that Mcgraugh ducks under and follows up with a left that Mcgraugh also avoids with ease.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Mcgraugh avoids nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcgraugh misses with a looping left.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mcgraugh.
Cruz misses with a double jab.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Cruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marcus Cruz will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marcus Cruz's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Mcgraugh has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Marcus Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mcgraugh fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz misses with a double jab.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Mcgraugh avoids them all with ease.
Corey Mcgraugh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mcgraugh throws out the jab.
Cruz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Mcgraugh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcgraugh misses with a two punch combination.
Mcgraugh dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Marcus Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mcgraugh lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cruz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Mcgraugh. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mcgraugh.
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Mcgraugh off the cage and back into range.
Mcgraugh fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cruz is out of range.
Mcgraugh shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mcgraugh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mcgraugh dips to his left and cracks Cruz with an uppercut!
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mcgraugh tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
A nice side step and Cruz releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Mcgraugh.
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Mcgraugh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
Mcgraugh throws a leg kick but Cruz sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cruz goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cruz misses with a series of wild punches.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Mcgraugh ducks down to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A combination from Cruz does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraugh misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz slips a straight right by Mcgraugh.
Mcgraugh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Marcus Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mcgraugh throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Mcgraugh does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mcgraugh was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mcgraugh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mcgraugh misses with a jab, cross combination.
As Mcgraugh backs off Cruz throws a huge counter combo but Mcgraugh manages to avoid it all.
Cruz swinging wildly here.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mcgraugh was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Mcgraugh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cruz throws out the jab.
Cruz lands with a right hand.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Mcgraugh waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cruz.
Cruz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mcgraugh slips under a jab from Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraugh ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
A punch lands to the side of Cruz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mcgraugh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
Mcgraugh looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Mcgraugh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mcgraugh cracks the inside of Cruz's front leg.
Cruz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cruz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mcgraugh scores with a jab to the head.
Mcgraugh connects with a single shot there.
Cruz throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mcgraugh misses with a few strikes there.
Mcgraugh connects with the punch.

Mcgraugh gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mcgraugh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mcgraugh misses with a hook from the clinch.

Mcgraugh escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraugh tries to clinch up
and Cruz counters with a two punch combo.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Nice shot by Cruz.
Cruz misses with the combination.
Mcgraugh has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Cruz is working the combinations to good effect here.
Mcgraugh fakes the leg kick and cracks Cruz in the body.
Cruz scores with a jab to the jaw.
A left and a right from Cruz both land. Nice combination.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mcgraugh.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcgraugh throws the kick towards the body but Cruz avoids it.
As Mcgraugh backs off Cruz throws a huge counter combo but Mcgraugh manages to avoid it all.
Mcgraugh doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz unleashes a big counter combination but Mcgraugh bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mcgraugh looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mcgraugh looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mcgraugh misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marcus Cruz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cruz misses with a double jab.
Mcgraugh lands a jab to the head.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mcgraugh throws a head kick that misses.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Mcgraugh is just out of range.
Mcgraugh throws a looping overhand right but Cruz ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz thuds a left hand into Mcgraugh's body.
Cruz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mcgraugh throws a wild body kick that Cruz sees coming a mile off.
Mcgraugh throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mcgraugh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz thuds his right hand into Mcgraugh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cruz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Mcgraugh off the cage and back into range.
Danga de danga de dang - Cruz scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Mcgraugh.
Cruz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Mcgraugh cracks Cruz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mcgraugh pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mcgraugh pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mcgraugh throws a predictable looking body shot
and Cruz counters with a three punch combo that has Mcgraugh backing up. Mcgraugh nods at Cruz to acknowledge the strikes.
Mcgraugh missing with a left hand there. Cruz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cruz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mcgraugh stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mcgraugh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mcgraugh throws an overhand right that lands on Cruz's shoulder, as Cruz tries to avoid the shot.
Mcgraugh fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mcgraugh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcgraugh misses the body punch
and Cruz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Mcgraugh avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Mcgraugh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Mcgraugh.
Mcgraugh dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Mcgraugh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mcgraugh lands a leg kick that knocks Cruz off balance momentarily.
Cruz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Mcgraugh slips the punch.
Mcgraugh shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cruz scores with a sloppy right hand. Mcgraugh should have avoided that one.
Cruz lands a jab-cross combination.
Mcgraugh takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Mcgraugh shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cruz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mcgraugh.
Mcgraugh fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraugh wants to slow Cruz down by chopping away at his legs.
As Mcgraugh backs off Cruz throws a huge counter combo but Mcgraugh manages to avoid it all.

Mcgraugh moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.
Mcgraugh is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cruz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cruz blocking some punches.
Mcgraugh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mcgraugh has Cruz pressed against the cage, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mcgraugh just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cruz's brow.
Mcgraugh throws a head punch that misses.
Mcgraugh lands a nice elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mcgraugh.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mcgraugh fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cruz takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Cruz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraugh misses with a punch on the inside.
Mcgraugh lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mcgraugh keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cruz's efforts to push away.
Cruz stops a takedown attempt from Mcgraugh.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Mcgraugh lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mcgraugh working aggressively here.
Cruz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mcgraugh stalling in the clinch but Cruz improves position.
Mcgraugh looking for a takedown.
Corey Mcgraugh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Mcgraugh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mcgraugh tries to work over Cruz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mcgraugh throws a head punch that misses.
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!
Cruz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marcus Cruz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Cruz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cruz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Cruz!