PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benny Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Thompson
vs
Cruz

193 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
31
222 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Hates pizza

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benny Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Anthony Taglia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz tries for a takedown but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thompson misses with some punches.
A frustrated look appears on Thompson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thompson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Thompson.
Thompson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thompson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Thompson tries to circle away but Cruz has him pinned against the cage.
Thompson gets underhooks to prevent Cruz's takedown attempt.
Cruz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marcus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benny Cruz.
Cruz is looking for a takedown.
Cruz looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz has Thompson pressed against the cage, preventing Thompson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thompson tries to break free but Cruz pushes him back against the cage.
Cruz has Thompson pressed against the cage, preventing Thompson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thompson is trying to push Cruz away but Cruz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Thompson misses with some punches.
Thompson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson can't find room to land a body shot as Cruz controls the action.
Thompson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Thompson is trying to break the clinch but Cruz is controlling him.
Thompson working aggressively here.
Cruz looking for a takedown.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thompson down to the mat. Thompson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thompson is fending him off so far but Cruz persists. Nope, Thompson circles away and we're back to standing.
Thompson with a hook.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cruz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cruz wants it to stay on the feet.
Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thompson is fending him off so far but Cruz persists. Nope, Thompson circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Thompson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Thompson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Thompson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thompson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thompson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cruz some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Thompson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Cruz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Thompson.
An elbow from Thompson crashes against the mat.
Cruz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thompson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Thompson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cruz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thompson tries to score with some ground and pound. Cruz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Thompson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Thompson working the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Thompson.
Thompson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cruz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thompson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to get back to half guard.
Thompson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Cruz tries to improve position but can't.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cruz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thompson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Thompson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Cruz is looking to regain half guard here but Thompson keeps moving and retains side control.
Thompson throws an elbow but Cruz slips to the side and avoids it well.
Thompson lands some shots froms side control.
Thompson lands some shots froms side control.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Thompson crashes against the mat.
Thompson in side control, throwing shots but Cruz defends.
Thompson in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cruz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thompson.
Thompson misses with the ground and pound.
Thompson throws a strike aimed at the side of Cruz's head but Cruz avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes there by Thompson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Thompson working the strikes but Cruz uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cruz tries to roll over but Thompson keeps him under control.
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. Thompson connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cruz to the ground. Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Thompson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Marcus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benny Cruz.

Cruz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cruz thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Thompson postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thompson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson throws a strike but Cruz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Marcus Thompson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thompson 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.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Cruz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cruz cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.
Thompson striking from his own guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz working some strikes from top position.
Thompson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Thompson lands a couple of elbows.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson throwing strikes from guard but Cruz blocks nicely.
Thompson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thompson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cruz is adopting a defensive guard.
Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thompson passes Cruz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Cruz dodges it nicely.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thompson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Thompson.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cruz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thompson.
Thompson landing some decent shots from guard.
Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cruz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Thompson sprawls well.
It looked like Thompson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thompson closes the distance and clinches up with Cruz, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes Cruz against the cage but Cruz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cruz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson stuffs the takedown attempt from Cruz. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thompson defends well and Cruz ends up having to push Thompson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thompson misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thompson.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thompson is trying to break free.
Thompson throws a punch but it's blocked by Cruz.
Thompson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thompson is trying to force a seperation but Cruz has the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cruz.
Thompson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Thompson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Benny Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thompson.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thompson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Cruz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Thompson fails to land.
Thompson is trying to break the clinch but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz goes for a takedown attempt but Thompson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Marcus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benny Cruz.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson has a takedown stuffed.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Thompson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thompson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thompson dives in for a single leg takedown but Cruz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Thompson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thompson leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cruz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thompson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thompson fails with the takedown.

Cruz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thompson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz keeping control of the position.
Cruz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson drops an elbow to the side of Cruz's head.
Thompson throwing shots but Cruz is blocking nicely.
Thompson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thompson.
Cruz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cruz works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thompson postures up and lands a big shot to Cruz's brow.
Cruz trying to control the position.
Thompson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thompson works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Thompson wants to get up but he can't break Cruz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Thompson with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Thompson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thompson has a takedown stuffed.
Thompson darts in looking for a takedown but Cruz gets double underhooks and turns Thompson into the cage.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cruz swivels and escapes.
Cruz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thompson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thompson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thompson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cruz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thompson sprawls well initially but Cruz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Cruz is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Benny Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marcus Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thompson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benny Cruz.
Well Thompson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Thompson!