PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hector Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evan Benson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cruz
vs
Benson

165 cm
24
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hector Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Evan Benson!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benson slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Benson darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
We've been informed that Benson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Cruz lands with a left to the head.
Benson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Still in the clinch, Benson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Benson lands a knee to the body.
Benson lands an elbow inside.
Benson tries to land knees in the clinch but Cruz avoids the damage to the body.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch but Benson keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cruz lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benson keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cruz is trying to drag Benson to the mat but Benson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cruz takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cruz tries to land knees in the clinch but Benson avoids the damage to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Benson obliges.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson has him pressed against the cage.

Cruz pulls Benson into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Cruz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Benson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cruz, up you get!

Benson clinches up against the cage.

Cruz breaks the clinch.

Benson closes the distance and clinches.
Benson landing knees to the head.
Cruz is looking to break free of the clinch but Benson has double underhooks.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Benson needs to keep his hands up - Cruz had a free shot at his head there.
Benson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Benson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Cruz darts in and clinches Benson up against the cage.
Cruz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benson lands a knee to the body.
Benson lands a nice elbow.
Benson landing knees to the body.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Benson won't allow it.
Cruz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz darts in looking for a takedown but Benson gets double underhooks and turns Cruz into the cage.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benson circles away quickly and effectively.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

Benson moves into the clinch.
Cruz is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benson is defending well.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Benson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Benson scores a nice knee to the body.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Benson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Benson working Cruz over with knees to the body.
Good body shot from Benson.
Benson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.
Cruz wants to break free but Benson has control.
Benson stops a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Benson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz has Benson pushed against the cage.
Benson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cruz prevents a body shot from Benson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cruz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Benson lands with a right to the head.
Benson lands an elbow inside that Cruz shrugs off.
Benson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Benson lands a left hand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cruz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice elbow from Benson.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Benson to keep the fight standing.
Benson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Benson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Benson has closed the distance and engaged Cruz in a clinch.
Cruz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Benson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.
Cruz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Benson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Benson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Benson scores with a shot to the side of Cruz's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Benson lands a knee to the head.
Cruz is trying to break free.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benson.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson stops a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Benson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Benson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cruz is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benson is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cruz.
Cruz working hard to break the clinch.
Benson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cruz takes an elbow to the temple.
Cruz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Benson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benson crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Benson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Benson.
Benson landing knees to the head.
Benson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Benson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benson crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Evan Benson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Benson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Benson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.
Cruz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Benson.
Benson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Benson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Cruz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Benson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Benson prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benson.
Cruz tries to break the clinch but Benson is controlling the position.
Benson lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to slow down the pace here.
Benson lands a damaging elbow.
Benson scores a nice knee to the body.
Cruz can't break the clinch.
Benson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Cruz is trying to push Benson away but Benson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Benson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cruz scores with a shoulder strike.
Cruz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benson.
Benson connects with a knee to the head.
Cruz wants to get back to striking at distance but Benson won't allow it.
Benson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cruz wants to break free but Benson has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz misses with the head strike.

Cruz breaks from the clinch.
Hector Cruz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Benson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Benson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cruz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Benson crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Knees to the body from Benson.
A bit of stalling here from Cruz.
Cruz tries to pull guard but Benson won't allow it.
Benson lands a damaging elbow.
Benson with a knee to the head.
Benson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cruz.
Benson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cruz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cruz is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Benson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Benson closes the distance and clinches.
Benson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Benson.
A short right from Cruz.
Cruz has Benson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Benson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Benson has Cruz pressed against the cage, preventing Cruz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benson landing knees to the body.
Benson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson is controlling him.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Benson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Benson instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Benson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benson unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz wants to break free but Benson has control.
Benson lands a knee to the body.
Benson stops a takedown attempt from Cruz.
Benson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Benson scores a nice knee to the body.
Benson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benson connects with a knee to the head.
Benson lands a nice knee to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Benson.
Knees in the clinch landing for Benson.
Benson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A knee to the head by Benson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benson scores with a knee to the head.
Benson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cruz has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Benson after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Benson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Benson crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Cruz tries to stall but Benson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A knee to the head by Benson.
Nice elbow from Benson.
Benson lands an elbow inside that Cruz shrugs off.
A knee to the head by Benson.
Benson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Benson to keep the fight standing.
A short right from Benson on the inside.
Benson lands an elbow just above Cruz 's eye.

Cruz is rocked!
Cruz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Oh Cruz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Benson crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Cruz seems to have got his legs back now.
Benson lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz lands a takedown into guard.

Benson has his feet on Cruz's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Benson darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
Benson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Cruz missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Benson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz misses with some punches.
Benson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Benson landing knees to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Benson obliges.
Good body shot from Benson.
Benson scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Benson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cruz's efforts to push away.
Benson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson has him pressed against the cage.
Benson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cruz's defenses.
Benson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Benson lands a knee to the head.
Benson lands with a short shot to the head.
Cruz tries to circle away but Benson has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Benson is controlling him.
Cruz pushes off an throws an elbow but Benson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hector Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benson scores with a shoulder strike.
Cruz working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Benson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Benson 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Benson!