PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dashaun Cruz (ranked 9404 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Shapirov (ranked 6404 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Alexei Shapirov enters the cage!

Cruz
vs
Shapirov

176 cm
18
157 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

170 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dashaun Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexei Shapirov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shapirov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shapirov swivels and escapes.
Shapirov stuffs the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dashaun Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shapirov tests Cruz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cruz misses with a takedown
and Shapirov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice left hand lands by Shapirov.
A right handed body shot lands from Shapirov.
Shapirov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cruz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shapirov walks away with a smile on his face. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shapirov throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz takes one to the chin there.
Shapirov throws a shot to the body.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shapirov avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shapirov lands with an overhand left.
Shapirov scores with a jab.
Shapirov lands a lovely overhand right.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shapirov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cruz with a body shot.

Shapirov closes the distance and clinches.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Shapirov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shapirov gets through Cruz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shapirov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shapirov.

Cruz is rocked!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Oh Cruz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shapirov gets through Cruz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cruz is trying to pull guard but Shapirov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shapirov throws a big uppercut that drops Cruz! More strikes from Shapirov and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Cruz lies dazed against the cage as Shapirov celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexei Shapirov!