PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Evan Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darko Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Evan Benson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Benson
vs
Cruz

180 cm
26
130 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

165 cm
25
145 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Evan Benson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Darko Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benson tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cruz keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cruz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Benson tries to clinch but Cruz moves away

and Cruz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Cruz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cruz.
Cruz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cruz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz lands strikes from half guard.
Cruz trying to control the pace.
Benson is trying to stand up here but Cruz is controlling him well.
Benson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Benson trying to control but Cruz postures up.
Cruz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two 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.
Benson tries to roll over but Cruz keeps him under control.
Cruz lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Benson is staying active underneath Cruz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ground and pound from Cruz.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Cruz.
Cruz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Cruz is working for a kimura but Benson is defending it quite comfortably.
Benson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cruz on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson trying to control here.

Cruz is looking for a kimura here.
Benson trying to control but Cruz postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cruz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Benson is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruz.
Cruz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Benson taking some punishment here, with Cruz in his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Benson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darko Cruz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cruz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Benson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Benson gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Benson wants to hold on but Cruz pushes him away.
Cruz looking to finish Benson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Benson!
Cruz controlling from the full mount.
Benson taking shots to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benson is looking to get to half guard.
Cruz with a couple of short strikes.
Benson is desperately trying to improve his position but Cruz has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz with a couple of short strikes.
Benson regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz tries to pass to full mount but Benson defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Cruz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Darko Cruz has got the better of the ground game so far.

Cruz maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Benson could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Cruz has cracked it and Benson is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Cruz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Darko Cruz!
In his post fight interview, Darko Cruz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.