PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robon Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Richmond IV (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robon Cruz has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Cruz
vs
Richmond IV

225 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

160 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Robon Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richard Richmond IV!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richmond IV is defended easily by Cruz.
Richmond IV misses the shot to the body.
A clash of legs there as Richmond IV blocks the low kick.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Richmond IV.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Richmond IV back to the cage. Cruz follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richmond IV. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz lands with a nice combination. Richmond IV backs away looking to recover.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Richmond IV looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Richmond IV just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Richmond IV moves out of range.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cruz as he jumps to the side.
Robon Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Richmond IV.
Richmond IV is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Richmond IV is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cruz.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Cruz leaves Richmond IV with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Richmond IV misses with a body shot.
Richmond IV fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond IV tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Richmond IV ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Richmond IV.
Robon Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richmond IV throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cruz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cruz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Richmond IV moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Richmond IV tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
A left and a right from Cruz both land. Nice combination.
Richmond IV is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Richmond IV shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
Richmond IV has a takedown stuffed.
Cruz really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Richmond IV has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cruz.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Richmond IV.
Cruz tries to bum rush Richmond IV with a series of wild strikes but Richmond IV uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Richmond IV moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richmond IV looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richmond IV is defended easily by Cruz.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cruz as he jumps to the side.
Richmond IV shoots in but Cruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cruz throws a nice looking combination but Richmond IV bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Richmond IV throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Richmond IV closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cruz circles away.
A right-left combo lands from Richmond IV.
That kick from Cruz tenderised Richmond IV's leg. Richmond IV is trying to keep his angry face on.

Richmond IV shoots in and gets a takedown into Cruz's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Cruz thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Richmond IV works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Richmond IV connects with a couple of short punches.
Richmond IV landing with the ground and pound.
Richmond IV scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richmond IV is one step ahead there.
Richmond IV postures up and lands a big shot to Cruz's brow.
Richmond IV tries to stand but Cruz is controlling from the bottom.
Richmond IV postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
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.
Richmond IV content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Richmond IV postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Richmond IV lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cruz has momentary wrist control but Richmond IV slips an elbow through the middle.
Richmond IV connects with a couple of short punches.
Richmond IV scoring with some ground and pound.
Richmond IV has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz controls Richmond IV momentarily but Richmond IV frees himself.
Richmond IV scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond IV preventing the sweep.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Richmond IV's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Richmond IV's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Richmond IV distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Richmond IV scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Richmond IV keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Richmond IV distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Richmond IV scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz has momentary wrist control but Richmond IV slips an elbow through the middle.
Richmond IV with a nice head shot there.
Richmond IV landing with the ground and pound.
Richmond IV stands up over Cruz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richmond IV scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richmond IV is one step ahead there.
Richmond IV scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Richmond IV dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Richmond IV shoots in looking for a takedown. Cruz tries to sprawl out of it but Richmond IV 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.
Richmond IV is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cruz rather than just go for the knockout.
No joy there for Cruz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cruz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Richmond IV counters with a right hand to the body.
Richmond IV misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Richmond IV fails with a takedown attempt.
Robon Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Richmond IV.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Richmond IV.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cruz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Richmond IV fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cruz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cruz tries to bum rush Richmond IV with a series of wild strikes but Richmond IV uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Richmond IV tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Richmond IV.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Richmond IV avoids nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richmond IV is defended easily by Cruz.
Cruz swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond IV fails to land the takedown.
Robon Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cruz slips under a jab from Richmond IV.
Richmond IV tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That kick from Cruz tenderised Richmond IV's leg. Richmond IV is trying to keep his angry face on.
Richmond IV misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cruz stuffs the takedown.
Richmond IV shoots for a takedown but Cruz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Richmond IV counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Richmond IV.
Cruz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Richmond IV counters with a right hand to the body.
Richmond IV takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Richmond IV throws a nice looking combination but Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cruz leaves Richmond IV with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with a series of wild punches.
Richmond IV misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Richmond IV tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
Richmond IV with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Richmond IV shoots for a takedown but Cruz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Richmond IV will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cruz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Richmond IV moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cruz stuffs the takedown attempt from Richmond IV. Richmond IV gets slowly back to his feet.
Richmond IV shoots in but no luck this time.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Richmond IV moves out of range.
Richmond IV shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
Richmond IV tries to clinch up but Cruz circles away and keeps his distance.
Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Richmond IV tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown but Cruz shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Richmond IV.
Richmond IV looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Richmond IV swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Richmond IV tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Richmond IV.
Richmond IV throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Some wild striking there from Richmond IV.
Robon Cruz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
A punch combination from Richmond IV misses.
Cruz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Richmond IV looks for a takedown but Cruz sprawls well.
Richmond IV tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Cruz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cruz leaves Richmond IV with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Richmond IV is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Richmond IV shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
Richmond IV dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Nice takedown defense from Cruz. No joy for Richmond IV on that attempt.
Richmond IV thows a body shot but no joy.
Cruz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cruz leaves Richmond IV with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cruz misses with a two punch combination.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cruz as he jumps to the side.
Cruz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Richmond IV has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sloppy strikes from Richmond IV. Those never looked like landing.
Cruz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cruz.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richmond IV. Cruz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cruz lands with a nice combination. Richmond IV backs away looking to recover.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Richmond IV avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robon Cruz dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Nice sprawl there from Cruz as Richmond IV shoots in.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Richmond IV.
Cruz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Richmond IV counters with a nice uppercut.
Richmond IV looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Robon Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Richmond IV.
Cruz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Richmond IV just misses with a punch to the body.
Richmond IV keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Richmond IV circles away quickly and effectively.
Richmond IV is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz lands with a nice combination. Richmond IV backs away looking to recover.
Richmond IV throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz tries to bum rush Richmond IV with a series of wild strikes but Richmond IV uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Richmond IV shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cruz looks to land a combination. Richmond IV sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Richmond IV throws out a leg kick but Cruz moves out of range and Richmond IV only half commits.
Cruz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond IV shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Richmond IV's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Richmond IV misses the shot to the body.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Richmond IV avoids it well.
Richmond IV is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Richmond IV looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cruz shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Richmond IV eats them both and turns towards Cruz to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Cruz tries to bum rush Richmond IV with a series of wild strikes but Richmond IV uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Richmond IV shoots in and drives through. Cruz sprawls well.
Cruz misses with a few strikes there.
Cruz throws a leg kick but Richmond IV checks it.
Richmond IV throws a solid leg kick but Cruz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Richmond IV.
Robon Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
Richmond IV shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Richmond IV's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Richmond IV tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from Richmond IV. Those never looked like landing.
No joy there for Richmond IV, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A combination from Cruz does no damage.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Richmond IV avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Richmond IV tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Richmond IV shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Richmond IV's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Richmond IV throws a body kick that misses.
A combination from Cruz does no damage.
Richmond IV shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Richmond IV's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Some wild striking there from Cruz.
Richmond IV misses with a two punch combination.
Richmond IV avoids a punch combination nicely.
Richmond IV's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Richmond IV tries for a takedown but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Richmond IV shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cruz but Cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cruz throws a right hand that Richmond IV ducks under and follows up with a left that Richmond IV also avoids with ease.
Cruz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Richmond IV pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cruz is out of range and Richmond IV settles back down.

Richmond IV moves into the clinch successfully.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Richmond IV is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cruz pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richmond IV changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cruz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cruz fails to land with a series of punches.
Richmond IV tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Cruz throws a low kick but Richmond IV moves out of range easily.
Cruz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Richmond IV.
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
Richmond IV closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cruz circles away.
Cruz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Richmond IV counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cruz wants to stand but Richmond IV is controlling the position.
Cruz has a closed guard, preventing Richmond IV from standing up.
Richmond IV content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Richmond IV stands up over Cruz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Richmond IV distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond IV scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Richmond IV scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cruz trying to control the position here.
Richmond IV working some strikes from top position.
Richmond IV works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Richmond IV chips away with some ground and pound.
Cruz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Richmond IV works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Cruz wants to sweep here but Richmond IV controlling him for the moment.
Richmond IV is in close to Cruz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Richmond IV landing with the ground and pound.
Richmond IV content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Richmond IV cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Richmond IV comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Richmond IV has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Richmond IV!