PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benedict Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Maccarone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Charlie Maccarone has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Maccarone

193 cm
32
221 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

220 cm
35
220 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conquer

Elite Canadian Threads
Backyard Fighting

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Benedict Cruz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charlie Maccarone!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Maccarone shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Maccarone tries a head kick but it misses.

Cruz scores with a takedown into Maccarone's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maccarone swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Maccarone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz looking to pass the guard.
Maccarone wants to sweep but no luck.
Cruz trying to control but Maccarone is working from the bottom.
Cruz postures up.

Benedict Cruz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cruz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Cruz gets a clinch.
Cruz wants a takedown but no success here.
Cruz definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maccarone throws an elbow but it misses.
Maccarone pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cruz lands a left hand.
Cruz is looking to take this one to the mat.

Cruz has picked Maccarone up - he's going for a ride! Cruz dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Cruz is thwarting Maccarone's attempts to control the position.
Cruz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maccarone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maccarone wants to control but Cruz is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Cruz is trying to work for a kimura but Maccarone is defending well.
Maccarone is trying to maintain the position but Cruz is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two 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!
Cruz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maccarone keeps working.
Maccarone is looking to improve his position.
Maccarone is looking to control Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maccarone avoid being mounted?
Cruz scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Cruz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz prevents Maccarone from improving his position.
Maccarone trying to control from the bottom.
Cruz trying to control the action but Maccarone is working from the bottom.
Cruz is looking to advance position but Maccarone won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cruz wants to pass the guard but Maccarone is defending well.
Cruz prevents Maccarone from improving his position.
Cruz is pressing down on Maccarone's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maccarone is holding on for now.
Maccarone wants to get back to full guard.
Cruz passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maccarone is trying to escape the mount.
Maccarone manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Maccarone desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Maccarone trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.
Maccarone is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cruz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cruz's back!

Maccarone has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Cruz is defending well but eventually Maccarone manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Cruz has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Charlie Maccarone!
Charlie Maccarone is the new light heavyweight champion!
Charlie Maccarone decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.