PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sparky Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ernesto 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.

Sampson
vs
Cruz

165 cm
29
190 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

185 cm
24
195 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sparky Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ernesto Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sampson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sampson throwing strikes from guard but Cruz blocks nicely.
Sampson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sampson wants to pass the guard but Cruz is keeping the position.
Cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sampson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sampson postures up in Cruz's guard and throws a big left but Cruz blocks it.
Cruz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sampson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control the position.

Sampson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cruz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cruz has escaped and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sampson trying to keep a closed guard but Cruz is proving a slippery customer.
Sampson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sampson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sampson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sampson working for a triangle but Cruz defends it easily.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Sampson is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz scoring with some ground and pound.
Cruz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sampson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sampson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cruz.
Sampson can't keep his opponent in guard - Cruz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sampson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cruz won't allow Sampson to sweep him here.

Sampson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cruz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cruz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sampson's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cruz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cruz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz postures up in Sampson's guard and throws a big left but Sampson blocks it.
Cruz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Sampson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.

Sampson has his foot on Cruz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cruz works his way back into a safe position though.

Sampson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Cruz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cruz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cruz postures up and lands a big shot to Sampson's brow.

Sampson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cruz throwing strikes but missing.
Cruz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz tries to stand but Sampson is controlling from the bottom.
We've been informed that Cruz has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cruz throws a big right hand that misses.
Cruz scoring with some ground and pound.
Cruz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Sampson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cruz defends it easily.

Cruz is sitting in close to Sampson's body. Sampson has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Cruz is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Cruz is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Sampson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Sparky Sampson!