PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Spencer (ranked 322 p4p, 1210 weight class) and Ricardo Cruz (ranked 40 p4p, 152 weight class). James Spencer could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ricardo Cruz's chin.

Spencer
vs
Cruz

190 cm
31
190
17 - 9 - 0

190 cm
41
198
23 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cruz manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Spencer on his heels. He'll look to pass Spencer's guard now, I'm sure.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spencer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Cruz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cruz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Spencer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
Spencer keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spencer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cruz working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz keeps trying to improve his position.
Spencer trying to control the position here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Spencer.

It looks like Ricardo Cruz has been cut.
Spencer lands a jab to Cruz's midsection.

Cruz throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Spencer tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cruz is in Spencer's guard.
Spencer keeping full guard, as Cruz tries to pass.
Spencer pulls Cruz in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.
Cruz throwing strikes but missing.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Spencer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spencer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cruz trying to control but Spencer is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz chips away with some ground and pound.
Spencer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cruz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cruz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spencer is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Spencer misses with a body kick.
Spencer connects with an inside leg kick.
Cruz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spencer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz dives in for a single leg takedown but Spencer sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Spencer is looking to counter punch.
Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spencer pinned against the cage. Spencer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Cruz.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Spencer circles away easily
and Spencer counters with a nice leg kick.
Spencer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cruz tries to move into range but Spencer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've been told by Spencer's head coaches at Casa Steel that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Spencer circles away easily

and Spencer counters with a nice right hand that sends Cruz toppling to the canvas! Cruz scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Spencer finish him?!

Cruz is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Spencer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Cruz's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Spencer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Spencer circles away easily

and Spencer counters with a crisp right hand that drops Cruz! Spencer lets Cruz back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Cruz is still on wobbly legs! Can Spencer finish him?
Cruz misses with a takedown
and Spencer counters with a big left hand that crumples Cruz! He was out before he hit the floor! Brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). James Spencer!
A pretty intense looking James Spencer took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.