PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ian Mackaye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luciano Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mackaye
vs
Cruz

185 cm
16
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ian Mackaye!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luciano Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz tries to clinch but Mackaye moves away

so Mackaye counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mackaye lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mackaye is pushing down on Cruz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cruz is fighting to maintain full guard but Mackaye has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mackaye has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Cruz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet.
Mackaye not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mackaye thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mackaye landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mackaye lands a nice short elbow.
Nice strikes from Mackaye there.

Mackaye is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mackaye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mackaye is trying to control. Cruz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cruz moves into full guard.
Mackaye landing some decent shots from guard.
Mackaye working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz keeping full guard, as Mackaye tries to pass.
Mackaye postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mackaye working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mackaye preventing the sweep.
Mackaye lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mackaye keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cruz's head.
Mackaye loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mackaye advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mackaye lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cruz down.
Cruz taking a bit of punishment here - Mackaye scoring with strikes.
Mackaye grinds an elbow into Cruz's temple.
Mackaye works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Check out the look on Mackaye's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Cruz struggling a bit here.
Cruz is trying to get back to half guard.
Cruz looks winded!
Mackaye lands an elbow.

Mackaye stands up and beckons Cruz to his feet.
Cruz closes the distance looking to clinch

so Mackaye counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mackaye with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mackaye works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Mackaye postures up.
Mackaye landing with the ground and pound.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Mackaye from controlling successfully.
Mackaye content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mackaye postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mackaye lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mackaye trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mackaye postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cruz keeping full guard, as Mackaye tries to pass.
Mackaye wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mackaye throwing strikes from guard but Cruz blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mackaye working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mackaye postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mackaye scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mackaye scoring with some ground and pound.
Mackaye with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mackaye cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.
Mackaye is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mackaye landing with the ground and pound.
Mackaye landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cruz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mackaye looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mackaye manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Mackaye is trying to get back to full guard.
Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mackaye's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mackaye manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mackaye keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Mackaye controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mackaye kicks Cruz off and gets to his feet.
Cruz misses with a takedown

and Mackaye counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cruz's guard now.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Mackaye cracks Cruz with a solid left hand.
Cruz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mackaye controls the pace.
Mackaye wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Mackaye scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mackaye is working Cruz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mackaye content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mackaye works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Mackaye is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mackaye is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?
Mackaye working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mackaye's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mackaye postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mackaye throws a big elbow that misses.
Mackaye tries to free his leg and advance position but Cruz is retaining full guard.
Mackaye postures up and lands a big shot to Cruz's brow.
Mackaye passes Cruz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mackaye landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mackaye 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 taking some punishment here, with Mackaye in his half guard.
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. Mackaye connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to roll over but Mackaye keeps him under control.
Cruz is trying to maintain the position but Mackaye is very close to passing his half guard.
Ground and pound from Mackaye.
Mackaye is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mackaye slips a nice elbow through Cruz's hands, connecting with Cruz's forehead.
Cruz tries to get to full guard but Mackaye has control of the leg.

Mackaye is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mackaye seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ian Mackaye overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mackaye looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mackaye lands a nice short elbow.
Cruz taking some punishment here, with Mackaye in his half guard.
Mackaye seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mackaye scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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. Mackaye connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mackaye lands a nice short elbow.
Cruz has hold of Mackaye's hands but Mackaye slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mackaye winds up and cracks Cruz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mackaye lands with a punch from half guard.
Cruz is not content to let Mackaye control the position.
Mackaye is nestled in close to Cruz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Mackaye dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mackaye closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cruz did well to prevent Mackaye getting side control.
Mackaye is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mackaye scores with a couple of nice shots.

Mackaye is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Cruz is trying to maintain the position but Mackaye is very close to passing his half guard.
Mackaye not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cruz has hold of Mackaye's hands but Mackaye slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cruz has hold of Mackaye's hands but Mackaye slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mackaye working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to stand up here but Mackaye is controlling him well.
Mackaye working Cruz over with strikes.
Mackaye takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mackaye is nestled in close to Cruz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cruz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mackaye scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mackaye is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mackaye is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz has hold of Mackaye's hands but Mackaye slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mackaye trying to control from Cruz's half guard. Cruz has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Mackaye is working Cruz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mackaye stands up from Cruz's guard - Mackaye perhaps looking for a knockout.

Cruz gets caught flat footed, as Mackaye shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mackaye showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Cruz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mackaye defends well.
Cruz keeping full guard, as Mackaye tries to pass.

Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mackaye is aware though and is defending well.
Mackaye working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mackaye trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mackaye distracts Cruz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mackaye is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mackaye wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
Mackaye connects with a couple of short punches.
Mackaye engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mackaye is working Cruz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mackaye postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cruz has momentary wrist control but Mackaye slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mackaye advances to half guard.
Mackaye working Cruz over with strikes.
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!
Cruz trying to control but Mackaye postures up.
Mackaye scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nice strikes from Mackaye there.
Nice strikes from Mackaye there.
Mackaye looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cruz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mackaye scores with a couple of nice shots.

Mackaye is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mackaye is looking to take a break and control but Cruz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Luciano Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ian Mackaye is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ian Mackaye showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mackaye, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Mackaye!