PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dom Cruz (ranked 520 p4p, 70 weight class) and Esteban San Pedro (ranked 347 p4p, 50 weight class). San Pedro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Gunman. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cruz
vs
San Pedro

172 cm
33
144 lbs
25 - 16 - 0

168 cm
31
147 lbs
21 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

UnderGround Supplements
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dom Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 2, fighting out of London, Esteban San Pedro!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz works the jab nicely.
Nice cross by San Pedro.
Cruz smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Good work by San Pedro as he checks the leg kick.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but San Pedro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cruz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
San Pedro takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've been informed that San Pedro 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 blocks the body kick.
Cruz half committed to a counter leg kick.
Cruz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cruz.
San Pedro throws a lazy right hand but Cruz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cruz pivots, looking for a leg kick but San Pedro is out of range and Cruz settles back down.
Cruz shoots in for a double leg but San Pedro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dom Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San Pedro takes one to the side of the head.
San Pedro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dom Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
San Pedro swings for the body but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz throws a leg kick
and San Pedro counters with a stiff right hand.
Cruz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cruz thuds a left hand into San Pedro's body.
Cruz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but San Pedro manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - San Pedro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As San Pedro backs away, Cruz returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Cruz swings for the body but San Pedro moves out of range.
Cruz is looking to wear down San Pedro with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cruz lands an overhand right.
Cruz moves out of range of the strikes.
San Pedro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cruz.

San Pedro gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

San Pedro has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Cruz has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
San Pedro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
San Pedro lands a hook that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.

Cruz wants the takedown. San Pedro is fighting it off but Cruz persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in San Pedro's guard against the cage.
San Pedro is pulling down on Cruz's head. It's preventing any offense from Cruz, at least for the moment.
San Pedro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
Cruz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
San Pedro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cruz is one step ahead there.
Cruz pushing down on San Pedro's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
San Pedro blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control from half guard but San Pedro is working away.
San Pedro is in trouble now - Cruz has advanced to mount!
The referee warns San Pedro that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
San Pedro tries to lock up and control but Cruz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
San Pedro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
San Pedro taking shots to the head.
Cruz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
San Pedro tries to hold on but Cruz pushes him away.
Cruz lands with some vicious ground and pound - can San Pedro hang on?
Cruz punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San Pedro tries to hold on but Cruz pushes him away.
Cruz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cruz avoids the attempt from San Pedro to control.
A nice elbow there by Cruz.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Cruz is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. San Pedro can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
San Pedro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
We've been hearing that Cruz has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz scoring with strikes but San Pedro is staying in there.
San Pedro is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Cruz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as San Pedro is looking to escape.
San Pedro manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Cruz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cruz closes the distance and clinches up with San Pedro, looking for a takedown. Cruz pushes San Pedro against the cage but San Pedro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Cruz there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by San Pedro.
Cruz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. San Pedro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cruz misses with a combination
and San Pedro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cruz swings for the body but San Pedro moves out of range.
San Pedro lands a slapping body shot.
San Pedro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
A slow jab from San Pedro misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
San Pedro lands a jab to the head.
San Pedro lands a lovely overhand right.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esteban San Pedro seems to be getting the better of the standup.

San Pedro gets tackled into the cage by Cruz. Cruz maintains the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
San Pedro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San Pedro struggles to land a body shot inside as Cruz controls his hands.
Cruz misses with a punch on the inside.

Cruz is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. San Pedro can't fight it off and eventually Cruz manages to take the fight to the floor. San Pedro looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cruz scoring with punches to the head and body.
San Pedro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cruz cracks San Pedro with a solid left hand.
San Pedro trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
San Pedro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
San Pedro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cruz scoring with punches to the head and body.
San Pedro wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cruz with a flurry of punches that miss.
San Pedro pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.
Cruz trying to control but San Pedro is working from the bottom.

Cruz is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! San Pedro is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! San Pedro has escaped and now he's on top!

Cruz pulls San Pedro in close to prevent any damage.
San Pedro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz keeping full guard, as San Pedro tries to pass.
San Pedro stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
San Pedro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cruz is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
San Pedro trying to control the position from guard on top but Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

San Pedro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cruz wants to control from the top but San Pedro keeps moving.
San Pedro wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San Pedro controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
San Pedro keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
San Pedro wants to sweep but no luck.
San Pedro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cruz is in close to San Pedro's body, working some short punches and elbows.
San Pedro trying to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cruz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz pushes down on San Pedro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Esteban San Pedro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and San Pedro counters with an outside leg kick.
San Pedro stuffs the takedown.
Nice body punch from San Pedro.
Cruz lands a jab to the head.
San Pedro avoids a punch combination nicely.
San Pedro takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
San Pedro on the wrong end of a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
San Pedro takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cruz misses with a looping right.
San Pedro steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
San Pedro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cruz manages to avoid it.
San Pedro throws a lazy uppercut
and Cruz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz tries to clinch
and San Pedro cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has San Pedro pinned against the cage. San Pedro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dom Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cruz throws a solid leg kick but San Pedro takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cruz.
San Pedro thinks about the counter body kick.
San Pedro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz takes a swing at San Pedro's ribcage but misses.
San Pedro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
San Pedro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
Cruz tries to clinch there but San Pedro circles away.
Cruz throws a series of punches but San Pedro avoids them all with ease.
San Pedro only half commits to the counter leg kick.
San Pedro scores with a body shot.
Cruz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and San Pedro counters with a good low kick that Cruz was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San Pedro throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz misses the body punch
and San Pedro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cruz slips a jab from San Pedro.
Nice body punch from San Pedro.
A bone on bone clash there as San Pedro blocks the leg kick.
A good leg kick by Cruz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but San Pedro avoids it really well and circles away.
San Pedro flicks out a counter leg kick but Cruz steps away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - San Pedro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
San Pedro is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cruz with a body shot.
San Pedro throws a leg kick which misses Cruz's front leg but catches the back leg as Cruz tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

San Pedro closes the distance and clinches.

Cruz turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Cruz working away.
San Pedro takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
San Pedro gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
San Pedro keeping hold of Cruz's head, controlling as best he can.
Cruz performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
San Pedro wants to improve his position but Cruz is controlling well.
San Pedro is looking to control Cruz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can San Pedro avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz sitting and controlling from the half guard.
San Pedro trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.
Cruz frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Cruz landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cruz content just to control the position here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
San Pedro sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
San Pedro has hold of Cruz's hands but Cruz slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
San Pedro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cruz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cruz's back!
What can Cruz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Esteban San Pedro.
I think San Pedro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dom Cruz!
Dom Cruz really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Urban Fighter logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.