PBP Commentary

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

Hedges
vs
Cruz

180 cm
18
204 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benson Hedges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luis Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Dean Styles and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Hedges circles away.
A punch combination from Hedges misses.
Hedges tries to land a leg kick but Cruz saw it coming and moves away.
Hedges getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

It looks like Luis Cruz has been cut.
Cruz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cruz wants to clinch.
Hedges misses with a double jab.
Hedges looks to land a combination but Cruz avoids it well.
Hedges misses with the combination.
A combination from Hedges does no damage.
A left lands for Hedges.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Hedges looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hedges wants to stand but Cruz is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cruz keeping full guard, as Hedges tries to pass.

Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cruz is looking for a triangle but Hedges pushes his legs off easily.

Hedges gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hedges is breathing heavily.
Hedges throws out a powerful jab.
Hedges avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Cruz has managed to clinch.
Hedges takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cruz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hedges has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short body shot lands from Hedges as the two fighters clinch.
Hedges working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hedges is trying to break free.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedges takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cruz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hedges has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hedges wants to break free but Cruz has control.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
Hedges lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hedges wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hedges scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hedges wants to break free but Cruz has control.
Hedges has had enough of the clinch but Cruz keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz lands an elbow inside.
Cruz scores with a knee to the head.
Hedges is trying to break free.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Hedges wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Cruz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hedges's face.
Hedges is trying to break free.
Hedges can't break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Cruz.
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hedges's face.
Hedges wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz connects with a knee to the head.
Cruz lands a knee to the head.
Cruz stalls.
Hedges wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hedges tries to break the clinch but Cruz is controlling the position.
Cruz lands with a light punch inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hedges lands with a short shot to the head.
Hedges wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A short right from Cruz on the inside.
Cruz wants a takedown.
Cruz stalling in the clinch but Hedges improves position.
Hedges has had enough of the clinch but Cruz keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz connects with a knee to the head.
Cruz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cruz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hedges can't break the clinch.
A knee to the head by Cruz.
Hedges is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cruz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cruz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cruz creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cruz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cruz scores with a knee to the head.
Hedges has had enough of the clinch but Cruz keeps him there for the moment.
Hedges is trying to break the clinch but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz lands with a light punch inside.
Hedges misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz connects with a knee to the head.
Hedges has had enough of the clinch but Cruz keeps him there for the moment.
Cruz lands with a light punch inside.
A knee to the head by Cruz.
Hedges tries to break the clinch but Cruz is controlling the position.
Hedges wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cruz landing knees to the head.

Hedges manages to break the clinch.
Cruz swinging wilding here.
Hedges fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cruz drives through and clinches with Hedges against the cage.
Cruz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hedges has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
Hedges can't break the clinch.
Hedges has Cruz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cruz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Hedges dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luis Cruz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cruz tries to clinch but Hedges is having none of it.
Hedges sizes up Cruz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hedges misses with a wild combination.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Hedges is avoiding it.
Hedges circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hedges lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hedges throws a series of punches but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.

Cruz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hedges, pushing him back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Cruz.
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hedges's face.
A bit of stalling here from Cruz.
Hedges is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cruz landing knees to the head.
Hedges has had enough of the clinch but Cruz keeps him there for the moment.

Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hedges looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cruz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cruz instigates a clinch.
Hedges can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Cruz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hedges throws a right and a left that Cruz avoids nicely.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hedges swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hedges lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cruz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cruz dodges the punch combination from Hedges.
Cruz dodges the punch combination from Hedges.
Cruz moves in looking to clinch but Hedges pushes him off.

Cruz moves into the clinch.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz connects with a knee to the head.
Hedges working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Cruz decides to pull guard.
Hedges throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Cruz manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedges misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Hedges misses.
Cruz is looking to clinch.
Hedges throws a hook but Cruz blocks it.
Hedges avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hedges tries to avoid it but Cruz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hedges to the ground. Hedges escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cruz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hedges throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cruz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cruz.
Cruz scores with a knee to the head.
Hedges is trying to break the clinch but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Hedges is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz scores with a knee to the head.
Cruz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hedges lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cruz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hedges's face.
Cruz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Hedges has Cruz pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hedges pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cruz tumbling to the mat - Hedges dives into Cruz's guard.

Hedges gets to his feet - Cruz follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A combination from Hedges does no damage.
The crowd cheers as Hedges lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cruz doesn't seem phased though.
Hedges scores with a jab to the head.
Hedges throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Hedges keeps it at a distance.
Cruz wants to clinch up but Hedges keeps it at a distance.
Cruz tries to clinch but Hedges moves out of range.
Hedges looks to land a combination. Cruz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cruz tries to clinch but Hedges moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Hedges - just one landing.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Hedges circles away.
Hedges doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Hedges connects with a looping right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A punch combination from Hedges misses.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hedges paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hedges scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hedges connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cruz's hands.
Cruz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Hedges to counter with a crisp jab.
Cruz tries to clinch but Hedges moves out of range.
Donk. Hedges catches Cruz right on the button with a cross.
Cruz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hedges.
Cruz looks to clinch
enabling Hedges to counter with a crisp jab.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Hedges circles away.
Hedges throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Cruz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Hedges is avoiding it.
Hedges is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hedges changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cruz dodges the punch combination from Hedges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Hedges dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luis Cruz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Good work by Cruz as he checks the leg kick.
Hedges works over Cruz's head and body with a nice combination.
Hedges misses with a two punch combination.
Hedges rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Cruz rushes Hedges and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cruz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Cruz.
Hedges wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cruz has him pressed against the cage.
Cruz lands a knee to the body.
Cruz scores a nice knee to the body.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cruz keeps control of Hedges as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cruz lands a knee to the head.
Hedges can't break the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hedgess head.
Hedges looking for a takedown.
Cruz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hedges blocks it with crossed arms.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but Hedges blocks it.
Cruz lands an elbow inside that Hedges shrugs off.
Hedges wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cruz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for Cruz to work.
Hedges is looking to break free of the clinch but Cruz has double underhooks.
Hedges lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Cruz misses with a knee to the head.
Cruz blocks an uppercut.
Cruz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hedges wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hedges can't break the clinch.
Hedges effectively controlling the action here.

Hedges manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hedges looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benson Hedges is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hedges misses with a few strikes there.

Cruz rushes Hedges and presses him up against the cage.
Cruz lands a knee to the head.

Hedges's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cruz tries to clinch but Hedges is having none of it.
Jab by Hedges.
Hedges fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hedges jabs Cruz right on the nose. Cruz blinks but takes it well.
Hedges is looking to clinch.
Hedges throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hedges cracks Cruz with a good jab.
Hedges lands a two punch combo.
Cruz doesn't manage to clinch there - Hedges circles away.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Hedges swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hedges lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hedges throws a series of punches but Cruz avoids them all with ease.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cruz is looking to clinch.
Hedges dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hedges misses with a straight left.
Hedges circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hedges shoots for a double leg takedown but Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Hedges's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedges cracks Cruz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cruz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hedges looks to land a left hand but Cruz moved out of range nicely.
Hedges scores with a one two! Cruz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Hedges closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cruz.
Cruz effectively controlling the action here.
Benson Hedges is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cruz takes a shot to the head.
Cruz content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cruz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Cruz looking to throw knees to the head but Hedges is blocking nicely.
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Cruz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hedges has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cruz has Hedges pushed against the cage.
Cruz with a knee to the head.
Cruz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hedges scores with a hook to the body.
Cruz misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cruz lands an elbow inside that Hedges shrugs off.
Hedges makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hedges breaks the clinch.
Cruz is looking to clinch.
Hedges lands the left hand.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Hedges circles away.
Hedges scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hedges swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz takes one to the side of the head.
Hedges throws a leg kick but Cruz sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hedges swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hedges looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hedges tries to bum rush Cruz with a series of wild strikes but Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed right hand from Hedges misses the target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hedges swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hedges throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Luis Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A left lands for Hedges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benson Hedges showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hedges, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

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