PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ngaio Bealum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bealum
vs
Cruz

175 cm
23
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

174 cm
21
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Nemesis Cage Clothing
Gold Standard Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ngaio Bealum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jorge Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Cruz or perhaps it was just good defense by Bealum which made him look bad.

Bealum gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cruz takes a shot to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bealum.
Bealum lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Bealum jumps into guard, dragging Cruz to the mat.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Bealum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz prevents Bealum from getting back to his feet.
Bealum tries to strike from the bottom.
Cruz wants to get up but he can't break Bealum's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Bealum throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bealum trying to strike off his back.
Bealum throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A big right from Bealum misses.
Cruz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Bealum gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bealum lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bealum gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cruz regains guard.
Bealum missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bealum throws and elbow that misses. Cruz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bealum's guard. Nice move by Cruz!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bealum keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Bealum trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bealum trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Cruz won't allow Bealum to get back to his feet.
Bealum has momentary wrist control but Cruz slips an elbow through the middle.
Bealum throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Bealum trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bealum is striking but Cruz is not phased and passes to half guard.
Cruz missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bealum missing with punches from the bottom.
Bealum is trying to stand.
Bealum is refusing to be controlled, as Cruz sits in half guard.
Bealum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cruz on the ground.
Bealum missing with punches from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Bealum clinches with his opponent.
Cruz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bealum pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A shot in the inside from Bealum.
Bealum lands a nice uppercut.
Cruz throws an elbow but it misses.

Bealum pulls guard successfully.
Bealum throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wanted to stand there but Bealum had control of the position.
Bealum tries to strike from the bottom.
Bealum is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bealum will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Cruz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bealum is proving hard to escape from.
Bealum is looking to stand up but Cruz isn't so interested in that idea.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bealum connects with a right hand. Cruz shakes it off.
Bealum leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ngaio Bealum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Cruz.

Bealum decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cruz looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bealum lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ground and pound from Bealum.
Cruz is not content to let Bealum control the position.
Bealum lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cruz is rocked!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bealum connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.
Cruz is still in real trouble! Can Bealum finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bealum looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bealum lands a big elbow - Cruz is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Bealum!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ngaio Bealum!