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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Cruz (ranked 2964 p4p, 2990 weight class) and Frank Lucas Iv (ranked 294 p4p, 296 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 178 cm
21
158
3 - 1 - 0 |
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168 cm
19
145
3 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pablo Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frank Lucas Iv!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lucas Iv shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lucas Iv's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lucas Iv shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cruz defends it nicely.
Lucas Iv shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pablo Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Lucas Iv.
Cruz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lucas Iv takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've been told by Cruz's head coaches at Brooklyn MMA & Fitness that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Lucas Iv looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cruz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lucas Iv on the ground.
Lucas Iv trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas Iv seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas Iv throwing strikes from guard but Cruz blocks nicely.
Lucas Iv looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lucas Iv throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lucas Iv sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lucas Iv postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.
Lucas Iv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Cruz scores with a nice strike.
Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz clobbers Lucas Iv with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Cruz.
Cruz cracks Lucas Iv with a right hand to the side of the head.
Cruz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cruz lands a head shot.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Lucas Iv avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lucas Iv takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lucas Iv's head backwards.
Lucas Iv is rocked!
Cruz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lucas Iv looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cruz lands a glancing blow to the side of Lucas Iv's head.
Lucas Iv is still on wobbly legs! Can Cruz finish him?
Lucas Iv looks for a takedown but Cruz sprawls well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little feinted left hand from Cruz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lucas Iv seems to have recovered his senses.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Lucas Iv is just out of range.
Lucas Iv is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lucas Iv steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
And Lucas Iv tries to counter it with a takedown but Cruz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cruz missing with a left hand there. Lucas Iv was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cruz is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Lucas Iv slips a jab from Cruz.
Cruz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lucas Iv tries for a takedown but Cruz circles away easily
and Cruz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cruz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Cruz. No joy for Lucas Iv on that attempt.
Cruz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lucas Iv tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cruz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a telegraphed body shot
so Lucas Iv counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lucas Iv trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lucas Iv not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cruz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lucas Iv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Pablo Cruz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Lucas Iv manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cruz on his heels. He'll look to pass Cruz's guard now, I'm sure.
Lucas Iv content to stall in guard here.
Lucas Iv wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Lucas Iv is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
Lucas Iv landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas Iv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lucas Iv has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lucas Iv throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas Iv controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cruz lands with an overhand left.
Cruz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cruz.
Lucas Iv throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lucas Iv is in Cruz's guard.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Lucas Iv from controlling successfully.
Cruz has control of Lucas Iv's left arm, preventing Lucas Iv from doing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv throws a big right hand that misses.
Lucas Iv with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lucas Iv slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lucas Iv looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lucas Iv grinds an elbow into Cruz's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz seems a little lost for a moment, as Lucas Iv dominates the positioning.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cruz keeps working.
An elbow from Lucas Iv crashes against the mat.
Lucas Iv cracks Cruz with a big elbow.
Lucas Iv tries to move to mount but Cruz blocks the move with his legs.
Lucas Iv misses with the ground and pound.
Lucas Iv scores with a couple of short elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lucas Iv throws a strike aimed at the side of Cruz's head but Cruz avoids it well.
Lucas Iv is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cruz.
Pablo Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz lands a slapping body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lucas Iv staying out of range there.
Cruz throws a good cross that connects.
Cruz looks to throw the jab but Lucas Iv is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Frank Lucas Iv will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Lucas Iv misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cruz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lucas Iv.
Cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lucas Iv's head backwards.
Lucas Iv walks into a stiff left hand from Cruz.
Cruz takes a swing at Lucas Iv's ribcage but misses.
And Lucas Iv tries to counter it with a takedown but Cruz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lucas Iv blocks a jab.
Lucas Iv slips a straight right by Cruz.
Lucas Iv is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lucas Iv closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas Iv closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lucas Iv lands in his opponent's guard.
Lucas Iv trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cruz controlling the position.
Lucas Iv trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Lucas Iv throws a big right hand that misses.
Lucas Iv sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lucas Iv trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
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 throws a hook but Lucas Iv blocks it.
Lucas Iv with the counter takedown but Cruz avoids it easily.
Cruz misses with a straight right.
Cruz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lucas Iv can do to turn this around?
Lucas Iv fails with the takedown
enabling Cruz to counter with a crisp jab.
Cruz connects with a right hand. Lucas Iv shakes it off.
Cruz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cruz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd cheers as Cruz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lucas Iv doesn't seem phased though.
Lucas Iv staying out of range there.
Lucas Iv tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cruz lands a body shot.
Cruz with a nice cross.
Pablo Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lucas Iv changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to avoid it but Lucas Iv manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cruz to the ground. Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pablo Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Lucas Iv.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv ducks under a wild hook from Cruz.
Lucas Iv misses with a takedown
letting Cruz counter with a right hand.
Cruz misses with a hook
and Lucas Iv counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lucas Iv is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lucas Iv landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lucas Iv missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lucas Iv keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lucas Iv passes to full mount!
Lucas Iv cracks Cruz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Cruz on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cruz tries to get out of the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Lucas Iv unloads with some shots from mount but Cruz bucks and avoids them well.
Lucas Iv in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Lucas Iv punching from mount but Cruz doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lucas Iv scoring with strikes but Cruz is staying in there.
Lucas Iv breaks from Cruz's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Cruz avoids a series of strikes thrown by Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv breaks from Cruz's wrist control and lands an elbow.
And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Cruz!
Pablo Cruz made sure to mention his sponsor, Brooklyn Apothecary in his post fight interview.
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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
43% |
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