PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Helsing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Helsing
vs
Cruz

178 cm
26
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

173 cm
26
171 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Igor Helsing!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Victor Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helsing throws a shot to the body.
Cruz looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Helsing throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Helsing throws a shot from downtown. Cruz moves away and avoids it.

Cruz closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Helsing's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cruz won't allow Helsing to sweep him here.
Helsing is controlling Cruz's posture.

Igor Helsing has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Helsing looking to score a takedown here. Cruz is defending well but Helsing drives through and ends up in Cruz's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helsing engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Igor Helsing wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick from Helsing.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Helsing.
Helsing lands a lovely overhand right.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Helsing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz being controlled for a moment.

Helsing has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A swing and a miss from Helsing.
Helsing lunges at Cruz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cruz's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helsing misses with a straight right.
Helsing just misses with a punch to the body.
Helsing just misses with a punch to the body.
Helsing connects with a body shot.

Helsing decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Helsing is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Helsing dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Helsing shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Helsing content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Helsing's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Igor Helsing overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Helsing has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Igor Helsing just wasn't active enough.
Helsing throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cruz.
Helsing digs a good body shot into Cruz's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helsing misses with a body kick.
A big right from Helsing misses.
Helsing throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Helsing throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Helsing pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Helsing scores with a hook to the body. Cruz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Helsing misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Helsing.
Cruz blocks a jab.
Helsing is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cruz.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Helsing.
Helsing looks to land a left hand but Cruz moved out of range nicely.
Helsing is looking to land body kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz defending well as Helsing loads up on a big left hand.
Igor Helsing is winning the standup battle so far.
Helsing attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Helsing throws a sloppy head kick and Cruz moves out of range easily.
Helsing throws a body kick that misses.
Cruz takes one to the chin there.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Helsing.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Helsing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Helsing dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Helsing tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Helsing.
Helsing fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cruz on the side of the head.
Helsing misses with a wild body shot.
Helsing misses with a low kick.
Helsing lands with a nice body punch.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Helsing misses the shot to the body.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Helsing throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helsing throws the left hand but Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Helsing throws a hook but Cruz avoids it easily.
Helsing lands a body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Helsing.
Helsing controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Igor Helsing just wasn't active enough.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Helsing.
Helsing throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Helsing throws a hook but Cruz blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helsing throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Helsing throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Helsing.
Helsing lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cruz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Helsing.
Cruz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Helsing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helsing pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Helsing scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Helsing misses with a wild body shot.

Helsing closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cruz did well to prevent Helsing getting side control.
Helsing seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Helsing showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Helsing has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:25
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Helsing!