PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Georg Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxim Semenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Cruz
vs
Semenov

176 cm
26
144 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

176 cm
25
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Georg Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Semenov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Semenov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Semenov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cruz's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Semenovis looking to pass into half guard but Cruz pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Cruz is in guard.
Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Semenov has wrist control.
Semenov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Semenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semenov trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.

Semenov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Semenov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.
Cruz with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Semenov is trying to keep Cruz in close.
Semenov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cruz passes Semenov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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!
Semenov is trying to maintain the position but Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cruz is looking to pass Semenov's guard but actually Semenov recovers to full guard.
Cruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Cruz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Semenov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.
Cruz wants to stand but Semenov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Semenov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cruz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Cruz has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Cruz throws a big right hand that misses.
Semenov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Semenov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Semenov thowing shots but they're missing.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Semenov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Semenov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Cruz is on top in guard.

Semenov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Cruz passes into half guard.

Cruz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Semenov sees it coming and defends easily.
Cruz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Semenov!
Cruz is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Semenov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Semenov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cruz swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Semenov is now in Cruz's guard. A big mistake from Cruz there, giving up the dominant position!
Semenov trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz has control of Semenov's left arm, preventing Semenov from doing any damage.
Semenov wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Semenov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cruz dives on top into guard.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Semenov's guard.
Semenov trying to control from the bottom.

Semenov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cruz passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Semenov!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georg Cruz dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Semenov is looking to clinch.

Semenov scores a takedown into full mount!
Cruz tries to lock up and control but Semenov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Semenov working the ground and pound effectively.
Cruz wants to hold on but Semenov pushes him away.
Semenov trying to control but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz tries to lock up and control but Semenov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz can't escape the position.
Semenov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cruz is looking to escape.
Semenov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cruz kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Semenov with the ground and pound from mount.
Semenov content just to control the position here.

Semenov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Cruz has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Cruz!

Cruz decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov 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 Semenov off to one side.

Cruz closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Semenov did well to prevent Cruz getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, if Cruz is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Cruz is working for a kimura but Semenov is defending it quite comfortably.
Cruz is keen to just control but Semenov is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Semenov defends it well.
Semenov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Semenov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Semenov has an active guard here but Cruz has managed to pass into half guard.

Cruz is trying for a kimura here. Semenov looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Cruz wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Georg Cruz!
Georg Cruz is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Georg Cruz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.