PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luciano Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Smack That kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Overeem
vs
Cruz

195 cm
27
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
29
200 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Sparta Fightware

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Luciano Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Cruz looks to land a body kick but Overeem moved away.
Overeem doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz sizes up Overeem with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Cruz gets tackled into the cage by Overeem. Overeem maintains the clinch.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Overeem clinches up against the cage.

Overeem gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cruz regains guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cruz is looking to sweep but instead, Overeem has passed into half guard.
It looks like Overeem is going to stand back up.
Cruz is trying to stand up here but Overeem is controlling him well.
Cruz is looking to control Overeem's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cruz avoid being mounted?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem not doing much here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Overeem wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch but Cruz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Overeem defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cruz.
Overeem fakes the leg kick and cracks Cruz in the body.

Overeem closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Overeem lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Overeem is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cruz kicks Overeem off and gets to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Overeem swivels and escapes.
Cruz looks winded!

Overeem clinches up against the cage.

Overeem gets control of Cruz's arms and successfully pulls guard. Overeem will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Cruz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Overeem, up you get!
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Overeem gets a clinch.
Cruz is trying to force a seperation but Overeem has the dominant position.
Overeem connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cruz's face.

It looks like Luciano Cruz has been cut.
Overeem misses with a knee to the head.
Overeem working Cruz over with knees to the body.
Overeem crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.

Overeem breaks from the clinch.
Overeem throws a head kick that Cruz semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Overeem is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Overeem is looking to clinch.
Overeem definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Overeem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Overeem gets a clinch.
Overeem with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Overeem.
Overeem effectively controlling the action here.
Overeem with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Overeem manages to break the clinch.
Overeem doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz throws a hook but Overeem blocks it.

Overeem drives through with a takedown into Cruz's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cruz is working an open guard so Overeem takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Overeem misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt
and Cruz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Overeem misses with a head kick.
Overeem lands a head kick!
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luciano Cruz.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Overeem.
Overeem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Overeem darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Overeem changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cruz tries to avoid it but Overeem manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cruz to the ground. Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Overeem sprawls well. Overeem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cruz gets slowly back to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cruz.
Alistair Overeem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Overeem tries to clinch there but Cruz circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cruz.

Overeem looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Overeem keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cruz is in trouble now - Overeem has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Overeem looking to control and managing it successfully.
Overeem has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Cruz can't escape the position.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet.
Overeem looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to escape the mount.
Overeem looking to control and managing it successfully.
Overeem seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cruz for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alistair Overeem has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Overeem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luciano Cruz.
Cruz avoids the head kick by Overeem.

Overeem has taken the fight to the clinch.
Overeem wants a takedown.
Cruz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Overeem blocks it with crossed arms.
Overeem scores with a knee to the head.
Overeem using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cruz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A bit of stalling here from Overeem.
Cruz is working for takedown but Overeem is calmly controlling the position for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cruz throws an elbow but misses.
Overeem throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cruz blocks it with crossed arms.
Cruz is trying desperately to land a takedown but Overeem is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cruz.

Overeem breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem fails with an attempt to clinch.

Overeem takes the fight into the clinch.
Cruz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Overeem.
Overeem crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Overeem makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cruz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Overeem just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Overeem manages to break the clinch.
Overeem stuffs the takedown.
Overeem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cruz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Overeem closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Overeem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed
and Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Overeem dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luciano Cruz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cruz swats away the attempt to clinch by Overeem.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Overeem sprawls well.
Overeem tries to clinch up.

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Overeem throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cruz is trying to maintain a safe position but Overeem gets an underhook and turns Cruz into the cage.
Overeem is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Overeem jumps guard and drags Cruz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cruz stands up and waves to Overeem to follow him.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Overeem moves into range and clinches up with Cruz.
Cruz misses with an elbow strike.
Overeem misses with a knee strike.
Cruz tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Overeem crunches a lovely knee into Cruz's ribcage.
Cruz tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.
Overeem putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cruz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Overeem manages to pull guard.

Overeem pushes Cruz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Overeem's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cruz under the eye.
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!
Overeem shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Overeem is looking to clinch but Cruz is avoiding it.
Overeem is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Overeem pushes Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Overeem unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cruz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cruz takes a shot to the head.
Cruz tries to break the clinch but Overeem is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by Overeem.

Overeem jumps guard.

Cruz gets to his feet. Overeem looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Alistair Overeem is winning the standup battle so far.
Overeem fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cruz goes for a double leg but Overeem avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Overeem continues to drive forward.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luciano Cruz.
Overeem scores a nice knee to the body.

Overeem manages to pull guard.

Overeem kicks Cruz off and gets to his feet.
Overeem explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cruz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Overeem.

Overeem forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Overeem lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cruz is trying to push Overeem away but Overeem has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Overeem lands a nice knee to the body.
Overeem landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Overeem.
Cruz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Overeem prevents it.
Cruz is trying to break free.

Overeem breaks from the clinch.

Overeem drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is pushing down on Cruz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cruz is fighting to maintain full guard but Overeem has managed to sneak the leg through.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz has a hand on Overeem's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Overeem takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Cruz is trying desperately to improve position.
Luciano Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Overeem controlling from the full mount.
Cruz tries to reverse the position but Overeem maintains control.
Alistair Overeem is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Overeem controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alistair Overeem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Overeem 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alistair Overeem!
Alistair Overeem very nearly forgot to thank Sparta Fightware amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
In defeat, Luciano Cruz stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will be back'.