PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Schuurman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz comes to the cage accompanied by My Way - Limpbizkit. Frank Schuurman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Schuurman

186 cm
26
184 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
175 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Victory! Sports Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rafael Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frank Schuurman!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schuurman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schuurman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've been hearing reports that Cruz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Schuurman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cruz.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
Cruz attempts a counter takedown but Schuurman avoids it well and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schuurman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Frank Schuurman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cruz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Schuurman's hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Schuurman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Knees to the body from Schuurman.
Schuurman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cruz tries to score a body lock takedown but Schuurman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Schuurman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cruz is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schuurman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
We've been informed that Schuurman 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 is trying to drag Schuurman to the mat but Schuurman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Schuurman misses with a knee strike.
Schuurman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Schuurman looking to throw knees to the head but Cruz is blocking nicely.
Schuurman looking to throw knees to the head but Cruz is blocking nicely.
Cruz managing to block the knees to the body from Schuurman.
Cruz has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Schuurman after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz avoiding damage as Schuurman throws knees to the body.
Schuurman misses with a knee strike.
Schuurman misses with a knee strike.
Cruz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Schuurman gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schuurman tries a knee to the head but Cruz blocks it.
Schuurman tries to land a knee to the head but Cruz blocks with his arms.
Schuurman with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Schuurman trying to land knees to the body.
Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Schuurman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Schuurman moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Cruz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Schuurman tries to counter with a clinch but Cruz shakes him off and moves away.

Schuurman pushes Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Schuurman connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schuurman scores with a knee to the head.
Schuurman prevents a takedown attempt there.
Schuurman unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Schuurman using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schuurman using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Knees to the body from Schuurman.
Schuurman misses with a knee strike.
Schuurman lands a knee to the head.
Schuurman misses with a knee strike.
Schuurman misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Schuurman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Schuurman landing knees to the body.
Schuurman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Schuurman looking to throw knees to the head but Cruz is blocking nicely.
Schuurman landing knees to the head.
Cruz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Schuurman prevents it.
Schuurman lands a big knee! That's hurt Cruz! Oh, he's all over the place! Schuurman lands another knee that sends Cruz to the floor and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Frank Schuurman!
Frank Schuurman tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
Rafael Cruz spoke after the fight, saying 'Congratulations to him; he fought a great fight; I have to go back to drawing board'.