PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Bravo (ranked 3431 p4p, 2477 weight class) and Pablo Cruz (ranked 258 p4p, 197 weight class). Cruz has chosen Daddy Yankee / Gasolina as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Pablo Cruz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bravo
vs
Cruz

181 cm
28
156
4 - 14 - 2

178 cm
33
150
15 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Stoner's Killer Apparel
30th Century Beer Store

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 4 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Charlie Bravo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pablo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bravo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cruz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Bravo is just out of range.
Cruz misses with a series of wild punches.
Bravo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.
A telegraphed right hand from Cruz misses the target.
Bravo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
Bravo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Cruz throws a hook to the side of Bravo's head but Bravo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bravo blocks a jab.
Bravo misses with a double jab.
Bravo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bravo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bravo throws a front kick that sends Cruz stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big left from Cruz misses.
Cruz 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.
Bravo slips a straight right by Cruz.
Bravo moves out of range as Cruz strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bravo defending well as Cruz loads up on a big left hand.
Jab, jab by Cruz - just one landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Bravo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bravo appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bravo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bravo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bravo shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Bravo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bravo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pablo Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bravo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Bravo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz cracks a nice hook into Bravo's ribs.
Bravo tries a head kick but it misses.
Charlie Bravo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bravo. Bravo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bravo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cruz! But no joy.
Bravo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bravo.
Cruz lands a nice hook to Bravo's body. Bravo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bravo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bravo avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Bravo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cruz is fending him off so far but Bravo persists. Nope, Cruz circles away and we're back to standing.
Bravo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Bravo.
Cruz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bravo shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl out of it but Bravo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cruz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bravo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cruz. Bravo does a little dance to reset his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bravo.
Bravo shoots in for a double leg but Cruz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bravo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cruz's waist but Cruz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bravo off to one side.
Bravo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cruz on the side of the head.
Cruz stuffs the takedown attempt from Bravo. Bravo gets slowly back to his feet.
Bravo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Bravo.
Cruz lands a nice looking body shot.
Bravo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Cruz throws out a loose jab but Bravo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bravo tries to counter by clinching up but Cruz breaks away and moves out of range.
Bravo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bravo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to avoid it but Bravo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cruz to the ground. Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bravo is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bravo eats them both and turns towards Cruz to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Bravo is just out of range.
Bravo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bravo throws a leg kick but Cruz sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bravo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big left from Cruz misses.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Cruz jabs Bravo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bravo fails with a takedown attempt.
Bravo slips under a jab from Cruz.
A counter left hand to the body from Bravo misses its target.
Cruz thuds his right hand into Bravo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bravo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Bravo walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bravo.
As Cruz backs away, Bravo returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bravo.
Bravo misses with a series of wild punches.
Bravo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cruz scores with a hook to the body. Bravo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bravo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cruz circles away quickly and effectively.
Bravo shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Bravo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bravo avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Bravo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cruz lands with a hook. Bravo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Bravo is rocked!
Bravo throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Bravo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Bravo.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Bravo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Bravo throws a quick counter kick to the body but Cruz avoids it.
Cruz scores with a body shot.
Bravo looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Bravo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bravo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cruz doesn't seem bothered though.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Bravo loads up on a big right hand but Cruz slips the punch.
Cruz lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Cruz as Bravo shoots in.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Cruz dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cruz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz throws a body punch but Bravo moves out of range.
It looked like Bravo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cruz fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bravo on the side of the head.
Bravo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A lazy left from Bravo finds it's target.
Cruz misses with a straight right.
Cruz moves forwards but Bravo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cruz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bravo goes for a double leg but Cruz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cruz continues to drive forward.

Cruz breaks the clinch.
Bravo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bravo lands a really nice looking cross but Cruz seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bravo was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Pablo Cruz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bravo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cruz has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cruz and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Bravo is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Cruz.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Bravo avoids them all with ease.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz jabs Bravo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bravo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz takes a swing at Bravo's ribcage but misses.
Bravo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Bravo.
Bravo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cruz circles away.
Bravo misses with a body shot.
Cruz now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Bravo misses with a body shot
and Cruz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cruz throws an overhand right that lands on Bravo's shoulder, as Bravo tries to avoid the shot.
Bravo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bravo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.
Cruz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jab from Cruz.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bravo misses with a series of wild punches.
Cruz misses with a straight left.
Bravo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Cruz throws a hook but Bravo avoids it easily.
It looks like Bravo has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick.
Cruz doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cruz slips a jab and a cross from Bravo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Bravo throws a big counter combination but Cruz scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Bravo is just out of range.
Cruz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bravo. That one must have hurt.
Nice defenses there by Bravo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bravo. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bravo is looking to wear down Cruz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Bravo avoids nicely.
Bravo takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bravo shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Bravo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bravo. Bravo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A slow jab from Cruz misses its intended target.
Bravo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bravo takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cruz! But no joy.
Bravo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cruz throws a body punch but Bravo moves out of range.
Bravo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bravo tries a head kick but it misses.
Bravo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Bravo ducks down to avoid it.
Bravo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bravo moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bravo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.
Cruz lands a slapping body shot.
Bravo throws the kick towards the body but Cruz avoids it.
Bravo lands a jab to Cruz's midsection.
Bravo slips a straight right by Cruz.
Bravo throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Bravo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Bravo.
Bravo staying out of range there.
Bravo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bravo throws the kick towards the body but Cruz avoids it.
Bravo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cruz circles away.
Cruz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bravo throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Bravo throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz scores with a shot to the body.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Bravo.
Danga de danga de dang - Cruz scores with a four punch combination!
Oh Bravo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bravo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bravo seems to have got his legs back now.
Cruz lands with a shot to the body.
Bravo slips under a jab from Cruz.
Charlie Bravo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz lands a nice hook to Bravo's body. Bravo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cruz connects with a right hand. Bravo shakes it off.
Cruz lands a jab to Bravo's midsection.
Cruz misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Bravo misses the target.
Cruz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cruz throws a lazy right hand but Bravo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bravo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cruz but Cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bravo avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Bravo avoids the body shot from Cruz.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz throws a jab when Bravo was well out of range.
Cruz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bravo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bravo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bravo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Cruz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cruz.
Bravo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Bravo.
Bravo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Bravo.
Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bravo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cruz misses with a looping left.
Bravo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bravo moves out of range of the strikes.
Bravo thuds a left hand into Cruz's body.
Bravo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz throws out a counter right but Bravo avoids it with no problem.
Cruz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bravo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick from Bravo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bravo.
Cruz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bravo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cruz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bravo avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Bravo lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bravo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Bravo is just out of range.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Bravo moves out of range.
Cruz scores with a jab to the body.
Bravo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bravo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz lands with an uppercut that bounces Bravo off the cage and back into range.
Bravo defending well as Cruz loads up on a big left hand.
Cruz throws a shot from downtown. Bravo moves away and avoids it.
Bravo looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bravo walks into a stiff left hand from Cruz.
Bravo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bravo goes for a double leg but Cruz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cruz continues to drive forward.
Cruz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bravo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a hook.
Bravo staying out of range there.
Bravo closes the distance and clinches up with Cruz, looking for a takedown. Bravo pushes Cruz against the cage but Cruz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Bravo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bravo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Bravo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Cruz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bravo under the eye.
Bravo misses with a takedown attempt - Cruz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. Bravo saw that one coming.
Cruz throws a good cross that connects.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bravo.
It seemed like Cruz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bravo slips a jab from Cruz.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bravo.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cruz throws a hook but Bravo blocks it.
Charlie Bravo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz moves out of range of the strikes.
Bravo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cruz digs a good body shot into Bravo's ribs.
Bravo is looking to land body kicks.
Cruz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bravo shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl out of it but Bravo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cruz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bravo throws a sloppy head kick and Cruz moves out of range easily.
A big left from Bravo misses.
Cruz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A shot to the liver by Cruz. Beautiful body shot.
Nice cross by Cruz.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz 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.
Bravo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bravo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bravo just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cruz! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bravo throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bravo has time to react.
Cruz jabs at Bravo's body.
Bravo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big left from Cruz misses.
Cruz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cruz thuds a left hand into Bravo's body.
Cruz lands an overhand right.
Cruz checks a leg kick nicely.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Bravo.
Cruz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bravo misses with a few strikes there.
Bravo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bravo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bravo walks into a stiff left hand from Cruz.
Cruz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cruz lands a slapping body shot.
Cruz cracks Bravo with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Bravo tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Cruz pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Bravo is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pablo Cruz!
Pablo Cruz gave a mention to Stoner's Killer Apparel in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).