PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piotr Grzelak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Cruz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Grzelak

178 cm
24
154 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
19
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Dangerous knees
Tends to cut

Zentrope Fighting Universe

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Piotr Grzelak!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grzelak lands a head kick!
Cruz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Grzelak throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cruz.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Grzelak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Grzelak sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cruz shoots in looking for a takedown. Grzelak tries to sprawl out of it but Cruz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grzelak manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cruz gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Grzelak tries to buck Cruz off but Cruz is having none of it.
Grzelak wants to control but Cruz postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grzelak sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
It looks like Cruz is going to stand back up.
Cruz is taking a breather. Grzelak says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Frank Cruz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Grzelak stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grzelak wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grzelak scoring well with a low kick there.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grzelak as he avoids it easily.

Cruz shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Grzelak is trying is best to control the position here.
Cruz trying to control the action but Grzelak is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to mount his opponent but Grzelak defends it.

We're going to have a standup here because Frank Cruz wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Grzelak avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Cruz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Grzelak defends it nicely.
Cruz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Grzelak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Grzelak tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice body kick from Grzelak.
Cruz takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Grzelak saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Grzelak swivels and escapes.
Grzelak moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grzelak pinned against the cage. Grzelak gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Grzelak takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Piotr Grzelak will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
That kick from Grzelak tenderised Cruz's leg. Cruz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cruz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grzelak circles away.
Cruz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Grzelak gets caught napping as Cruz dives in and scores a takedown. Grzelak manages to retain guard.
Grzelak working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cruz.
Grzelak manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cruz manages to get himself to full guard.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet but Grzelak is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grzelak slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is being controlled here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Grzelak is controlling him well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Grzelak keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Piotr Grzelak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crunch! Grzelak slams his shin into Cruz's torso.

Grzelak closes the distance and clinches.
Grzelak stalling.
Cruz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Grzelak pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Grzelak sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cruz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Grzelak's waist but Grzelak gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cruz off to one side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grzelak lands with a kick to the ribs.
Grzelak throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grzelak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Grzelak fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cruz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grzelak chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Grzelak avoids nicely.
Grzelak lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Grzelak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Grzelak connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cruz. Cruz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Grzelak with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Grzelak shows good takedown defense.
Grzelak walks into a stiff left hand from Cruz.
Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with Grzelak, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes Grzelak against the cage but Grzelak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Grzelak.
Cruz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grzelak.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grzelak.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz feints and as Grzelak raises his hands in defense, Cruz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cruz trying to control but Grzelak is working from the bottom.
Grzelak 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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Grzelak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Frank Cruz just wasn't active enough.
Grzelak fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grzelak lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cruz takes a step back to recover.
Nice takedown defense from Grzelak. No joy for Cruz on that attempt.
Cruz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Grzelak. Grzelak obviously looking to wear him down.
Grzelak feints and then cracks Cruz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cruz down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grzelak connects with a nice looking jab.
Grzelak slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Piotr Grzelak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grzelak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Grzelak.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grzelak avoids it really well and circles away.
Grzelak tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Piotr Grzelak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Grzelak thumps Cruz with a low kick.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Grzelak tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grzelak throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cruz takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cruz fails to land the takedown.
Grzelak moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Grzelak as he jumps to the side.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grzelak tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grzelak to the ground. Grzelak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Frank Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grzelak explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piotr Grzelak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grzelak winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 28:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Grzelak!