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Play
by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary
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Event:
BC FIGHT NIGHT 7
Date: May 08, 2024 |
#R1#
A big left from Cruz misses.
Sapi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A combination from Sapi does no damage.
Cruz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sapi counters with a nice uppercut.
Sapi takes one on the button.
Sapi just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz sizes up Sapi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sapi has time to react.#CL2#
Sapi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.#BC2#
Sapi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good standup being displayed there by Cruz as he connects with a hook.
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!
Sapi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sapi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sapi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cruz.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cruz!
#T1#
Cruz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cruz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cruz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sapi on the side of the head.
Cruz misses the jab.
Sapi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!#CUT2#It looks like Santa Cruz has been cut.
Sapi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Cruz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sapi digs a good body shot into Cruz's ribs.
Cruz tries to bum rush Sapi with a series of wild strikes but Sapi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.#CL2#
Sapi instigates a clinch.
Sapi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sapi tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Sapi back against the cage. #T2##BC2#
Sapi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cruz scores with a punch to the head.
Sapi ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a left hand #CL2#
and Sapi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sapi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sapi keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sapi is struggling to control the position.#T3#
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sapi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Sapi is controlling him.
Sapi stalling the fight.
Sapi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sapi slowing the pace effectively.
Sapi has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Cruz seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Sapi can turn it around.#T4#
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.
Sapi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sapi controlling the action here for a moment.
Sapi continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Sapi won't allow it.
Sapi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cruz is trying to break free.
Sapi wants a takedown but no success here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Santa Cruz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Santa Cruz's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!#R2#
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Sapi slips the punch.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Sapi moved out of range nicely.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Sapi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cruz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Donk. Cruz catches Sapi right on the button with a cross.
Cruz connects with a nice looking jab.
Sapi scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cruz bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Cruz throws an ugly left hook that misses
#CL2#
and Sapi counters by moving into the clinch.
Cruz tries to break free but Sapi pushes him back against the cage.
Sapi has Cruz pressed against the cage, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.#BC2#
Sapi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Santa Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sapi under the eye.
Cruz misses with a lunging right hand
and Sapi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sapi throws out a loose jab but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it. #T1#
Sapi dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sapi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sapi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Sapi takes one to the chin there.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Sapi ducks down to avoid it.
Cruz throws a hook to the side of Sapi's head but Sapi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sapi staying out of range there.
Cruz misses with a left hand
and Sapi counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Santa Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sapi's head.
Cruz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Cruz misses.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?#T2#
Sapi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sapi works Cruz's body with a nice hook.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Sapi is just out of range.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Sapi avoids nicely.
Sapi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cruz.
Santa Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sapi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Sapi drops his hands momentarily and Cruz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cruz connects with the punch.
Sapi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz throws a poor cross that misses
and Sapi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cruz moves out of range as Sapi strikes.
Sapi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cruz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sapi scrambles back to his feet.
Cruz scores with a jab. Sapi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sapi drops his hands momentarily and Cruz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cruz connects with a body shot.
Jab, jab by Cruz - just one landing. #T3#
Cruz misses with a straight right.
Santa Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
As Cruz backs off Sapi throws a huge counter combo but Cruz manages to avoid it all.
Sapi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sapi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sapi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cruz.
Cruz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sapi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cruz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cruz lunges at Sapi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sapi's hand.
Sapi shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
Cruz cracks Sapi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sapi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
#ROC#Sapi is rocked!
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
A little jabbing left from Sapi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sapi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sapi throws a body shot but no joy. #T4#
Cruz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sapi on the side of the head.
Sapi looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Sapi moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Sapi is looking for the big counter here.
Sapi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cruz swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sapi counters with a nice body shot.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A little jabbing left from Sapi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cruz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sapi momentarily.
Sapi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sapi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Sapi blocks a jab.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sapi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cruz with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sapi swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Cruz.
Cruz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sapi backs up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Santa Cruz dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Santa Cruz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!#R3#
Cruz catches Sapi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A jab from Cruz misses.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. Sapi saw that one coming.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sapi is looking for the big counter here.
Sapi slips under a jab from Cruz.
Cruz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sapi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Cruz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Good work by Cruz as he checks the leg kick.
Cruz is looking for a counter combo.
Cruz connects with a right hand. Sapi shakes it off.
Sapi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cruz rather than just go for the knockout.
Sapi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Sapi off the cage and back into range.
Cruz throws the left hand but Sapi avoids the punch easily.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sapi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Sapi looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Cruz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.#T1#
Sapi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sapi under the eye.#CL2#
Sapi gets a clinch.
Sapi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sapi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cruz managing to block the knees to the body from Sapi.
Cruz wants to break free but Sapi has control.
#T2#
Sapi is struggling to control the position.
Sapi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cruz up against the cage.
Cruz is trying to push Sapi away but Sapi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sapi stalling against the cage.
Cruz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sapi has him pressed against the cage.#T3#
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sapi keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sapi is pushing Cruz up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A frustrated look appears on Cruz's face as he tries to break the clinch. #BC2#
Sapi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat. #T4#
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 misses with a hook to the body
#CL2#
and Sapi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sapi.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sapi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
#TD2#
Sapi gets control of Cruz's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sapi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sapi looking for a sweep. Not yet Sapi, not yet.
Yusuf Sapi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz wants to stand and escape but instead Sapi has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard. #REVB#
Cruz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sapi manages to get himself to full guard.
#REVR#
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sapi is trying to keep Cruz in close.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Santa Cruz.
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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santa Cruz! |
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Event:
Quick Fight Championship
Date: Apr 14, 2024 |
#R1#
Sanders stuffs the takedown.
Sanders attempts a counter takedown but Sapi avoids it well and moves away.
Sapi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanders swivels and escapes.
Sanders wants to clinch up but Sapi keeps it at a distance.
Sapi blocks a head kick by Sanders.
Sanders shoots for a double leg takedown but Sapi sprawls well. He's pushed Sanders's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A swing and a miss from Sapi.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sanders takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sanders tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanders somewhat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sapi! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reggie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanders tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanders somewhat.#T1#
Sanders thows a leg kick but Sapi checks it
and Sapi counters with a stiff right hand.
Sanders misses with a takedown
and Sapi counters with a nice uppercut.
Sanders darts in looking for a takedown but Sapi gets double underhooks and turns Sanders into the cage.
Sapi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sanders with a body shot.
A bit of stalling here from Sapi.
Sanders swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sanders misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sapi misses with a knee to the head.
Sanders looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sanders has had enough of the clinch but Sapi keeps him there for the moment.
Sapi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.#T2#
Sapi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sanders is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sanders fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sapi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sapi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sanders backwards.
Sanders misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sapi avoiding damage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows. #T3#
Sapi prevents a body shot from Sanders.
Sapi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sanders after a bit of a struggle. #TD2#
Sapi drags the fight down to the ground.
Sanders wanted to stand there but Sapi had control of the position.
Sanders tries to free his leg and advance position but Sapi is retaining full guard.
Sapi wants to sweep but no luck.
Sapi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sanders wants to pass the guard but Sapi is keeping the position.#T4#
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sanders wants to control from the top but Sapi keeps moving.
Sanders looking to sit in guard and control but Sapi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. #REVB#
Sapi trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi is standing up over Sanders. Sanders looks to escape but Sapi dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Yusuf Sapi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.#R2#
Sanders takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sanders has a takedown stuffed.
Sanders misses with a takedown attempt - Sapi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sanders doesn't manage to clinch there - Sapi circles away.
Sapi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Sapi throws a series of strikes that have Sanders backpedaling.
Sapi misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanders wants to clinch but Sapi slips to the side
and Sapi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sanders takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sanders is looking to clinch but Sapi is avoiding it.
Sanders is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sapi.#T1#
Sapi darts in looking for a takedown but Sanders gets double underhooks and turns Sapi into the cage. #CL2#
Sapi closes the distance and clinches.
Sanders wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sapi blocking some punches.
Sanders misses with a punch to the body.
Sapi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanders is trying to break the clinch but Sapi is controlling him.
Sapi scores with a shot to the side of Sanders's head.
Sanders has a couple of punches blocked by Sapi.
Sapi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sapi.#T2#
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sapi.
The crowd are getting on Sapi's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Sanders tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sapi's elbow.
Sapi is looking for a takedown.
Reggie Sanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yusuf Sapi.
Sanders wants to break free but Sapi has control.
Sanders avoids a wild elbow strike from Sapi.
Sapi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sapi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sanders misses with a punch on the inside.
Sapi lands a hook that snaps the head of Sanders backwards.
Sapi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sanders up against the cage.
Sapi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sanders up against the cage.#T3#
Sanders doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sapi.
Sanders misses with a punch to the body.
Sanders misses with the head strike.
#BC2#
Sapi breaks the clinch.
Sanders fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sanders moves to clinch but Sapi breaks away
and Sapi counters with a stiff right hand. #CL2#
Sapi clinches. #T4#
Sanders letting Sapi take a breather here.
Sanders tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sapi's elbow.
Sanders tries to throw a body punch but Sapi avoids it by throwing Sanders back against the cage.
Sapi is stalling here.
Sapi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sanders working aggressively here.
Sapi keeps control of Sanders as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sanders misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Yusuf Sapi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!#R3#
Sanders has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sapi finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanders's head.
Sapi tries to work over Sanders's front leg with a kick but Sanders checks it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanders.
Sanders misses with a takedown
and Sapi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.#CL2#
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sapi taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi stalls.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.#T1#
Sanders is pressed up against the cage. Sapi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sanders down to the mat. Sanders avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sanders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reggie Sanders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sapi scores with a jab to the head.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sanders or perhaps it was just good defense by Sapi, which made it look bad.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sapi! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reggie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders tries to clinch up.
Sapi looks for a takedown but Sanders sprawls well.
Sanders with a nice cross.
Reggie Sanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!#T2#
Sapi's corner calls for a 1-2. Sapi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sanders tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sapi lands a jab to Sanders's midsection.
Sanders avoids a punch combination nicely.
A shot to the liver by Sapi. Beautiful body shot.
Sanders shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sapi pinned against the cage. Sapi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily #CL2#
and Sapi moves into the clinch.#T3#
Sapi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sanders up against the cage.
Sanders looking to slow down the pace here.
Sanders fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sanders misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sapi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sapi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sanders pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sanders shoots in and drives through. Sapi sprawls well.
Sanders tries to clinch up
and Sapi counters with a stiff right hand.
Yusuf Sapi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.#T4#
Sapi clobbers Sanders with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sanders throws a head kick that misses.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sapi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sapi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sanders stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sapi connects with a single shot there.
Sanders tries to clinch
and Sapi counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sapi slips under a jab.
Sanders looks for the body kick but Sapi saw that one coming.
Sanders misses with a head kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
Yusuf Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sapi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yusuf Sapi! |
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Event:
Quick Fight Championship
Date: Apr 11, 2024 |
#R1#
Cruz moves out of range as Sapi strikes.
Sapi lands with a straight right. Cruz didn't see that one coming.
Cruz misses with a lunging right hand
and Sapi counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sapi backs up against the cage.
Cruz lands a slapping body shot.
Sapi ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz lands a jab.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz cracks Sapi with an open hand slap.
A jab lands there for Cruz.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz misses the body punch #CL2#
and Sapi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Come on Sapi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cruz is pressed up against the cage. Sapi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cruz down to the mat. Cruz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Santa Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.#T1#
Sapi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cruz misses with a straight right.
Cruz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
#CL2#
and Sapi counters by moving into the clinch.
Sapi gets through Cruz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sapi looking for a takedown.
Sapi keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks. #BC2#
Sapi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
#T2#
A jab from Cruz misses.
Cruz cracks Sapi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sapi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Sapi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Sapi slips the punch.
Sapi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sapi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cruz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!#CL2#
Sapi drives through and clinches with Cruz against the cage.
Cruz is trying to break free.#BC2#
Sapi breaks from the clinch.
#T3#
Cruz's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cruz duly obliges.
Cruz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sapi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by Sapi.
Sapi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Santa Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yusuf Sapi.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Sapi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sapi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice defenses there by Sapi.
Sapi tries to counter with a clinch but Cruz shakes him off and moves away.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cruz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.#T4#
Cruz throws a body punch but Sapi moves out of range.
Sapi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz tests Sapi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz misses with a hook. Sapi ducked under it nicely.
Santa Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Sapi moved out of range nicely.
Sapi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cruz's corner calls for a 1-2. Cruz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cruz misses with a body shot.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Sapi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sapi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Sapi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sapi throws out a counter right but Cruz avoids it with no problem.
Sapi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Sapi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sapi throws a counter combo.
Sapi misses with a looping left.
Cruz scores with a jab. Sapi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz sets himself, and Sapi steps forward looking for the clinch! Cruz avoids it this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Santa Cruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!#R2#
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Sapi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz connects with a body shot.
Cruz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cruz throws a lazy uppercut
and Sapi counters with a straight right hand.
Cruz scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sapi doesn't seem bothered though.
Cruz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cruz throws an overhand right that lands on Sapi's shoulder, as Sapi tries to avoid the shot.
Sapi throws out a counter right but Cruz avoids it with no problem.
Cruz looks to land a right hand but Sapi moved out of range.
Despite the aggression on Sapi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A little jabbing left from Sapi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Sapi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz throws a hook to the side of Sapi's head but Sapi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sapi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. #T1#
Cruz thuds a left hand into Sapi's body.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Sapi moved out of range nicely.
Sapi moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
Sapi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sapi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Cruz misses with a body punch
#CL2#
and Sapi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sapi.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch. #BC2#
Sapi breaks the clinch.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sapi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sapi avoids a punch combination nicely.
#T2#
Cruz throws a body punch but Sapi moves out of range.
Sapi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sapi lands a jab to the head.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sapi defending well as Cruz loads up on a big left hand.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Sapi moved out of range nicely.
Sapi's corner calls for a 1-2. Sapi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sapi slips a straight right by Cruz.#CL2#
Sapi has managed to clinch.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Sapi has the dominant position.
Sapi stalling.
#T3#
Sapi just leaning against Cruz, taking a breather. #BC2#
Sapi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cruz misses with the combination.
Sapi throws out a counter right but Cruz avoids it with no problem.
A big right from Cruz misses.
Cruz throws a body punch but Sapi moves out of range.
Cruz works over Sapi's head and body with a nice combination.
Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
Sapi moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Cruz with a hook.
Santa Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.#T4#
Cruz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A jab lands there for Cruz.
Sapi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cruz.
Sapi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sapi ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Cruz throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sapi! But no joy.
Sapi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
Cruz throws a jab but it's blocked by Sapi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sapi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cruz misses the body punch #CL2#
and Sapi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sapi is struggling to control the position.#BC2#
Sapi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Santa Cruz dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!#R3#
Cruz swings away with a body shot that misses
#CL2#
and Sapi counters by moving into the clinch.
The referee calls for Sapi to work.
Cruz is trying to push Sapi away but Sapi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sapi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Sapi has double underhooks.
Sapi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cruz is defending well.#T1#
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sapi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sapi is pushing Cruz up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Sapi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cruz up against the cage.#T2#
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.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch but Sapi keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sapi leaning against his opponent.
Sapi effectively controlling the action here.#T3#
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Sapi has the dominant position.
Sapi is stalling here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yusuf Sapi.
Cruz sizes up Sapi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cruz takes a swing at Sapi's ribcage but misses.
Cruz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sapi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cruz thinking.
Cruz misses with a straight left. #CL2#
The fight moves into the clinch position.#T4#
Sapi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sapi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yusuf Sapi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz tries to break free but Sapi pushes him back against the cage.#BC2#
Sapi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sapi was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Sapi loads up on a big right hand but Cruz slips the punch.
And that's the end of the fight!
Yusuf Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cruz 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santa Cruz! |
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