Post by The Sandmen on Mar 8, 2013 16:36:07 GMT -5
Benson Henderson is beating himself up in the corner before the fight begins, smacking himself in the face, body and legs to get ready for his scrap.
Dominick Cruz raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Steve Mazzagatti.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Benson and Cruz move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Bone shattering straight right hand from Benson Henderson!
Cruz ducks under...
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Dominick Cruz to fight back!
Dominick Cruz attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
A wicked punch by Dominick Cruz
rocks Benson!
Benson is holding Dominick Cruz's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Dominick Cruz loses balance and goes to the ground.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to pass to mount...
Benson slides his knee across and achieves the mount position! Tough spot for Dominick Cruz.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz is one of those men capable of pounding you into oblivion!
Cruz launches a few weak punches
Those punches are hitting Benson's ribs.
The clock says 1:05 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Benson Henderson doesn't want to lose his adventageous position and he struggles to mantain the full mount.
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Benson Henderson aggressively and repeatedly punches Cruz.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Cruz's Mouth is beginning to swell
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson isolates Dominick Cruz's arm and neck looking for an arm triangle
Dominick Cruz is able to relieve the pressure on his neck and slip out of the hold.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson rolls him over and takes his back!
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Benson tries to get a hook in!
Things get worse for Cruz! Benson has one hook in and keeps working!
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson is trying to better his position on the ground and launches a couple of elbows against Cruz's ribs.
Cruz is noticing that and his face shows the pain.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson gets a good position on the ground. ..
Cruz holds Benson Henderson arms and counters his opponent punches.
Poorly executed technique. Dominick Cruz looks to counter!
Cruz is trying to escape from the rear mount.
Benson tries to use some of his tricky moves but Benson's is smart enough to counter him.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson has one hook in and is trying to get the second one! If he succeed things are goint to get very bad for Cruz.
Nicely done! Benson now has two hooks in! The end may be near!
The clock says 2:15 in the 1 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
Benson Henderson isolates an arm looking for an armbar from the back...
Cruz locks his hands and forces his weight on top of Benson Henderson unil he can pull his arm free! Benson lost his dominant position.
The clock says 2:25 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Dominick Cruz uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Dominick Cruz is looking to pass Benson Henderson's guard...
Dominick Cruz gets his hips free and moves to half guard.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson launches a few punches to Cruz's cheek from the guard.
Dominick Cruz uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson measures the resilience of Cruz's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Cruz blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Dominick Cruz keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Steve Mazzagatti has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Benson Henderson tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Benson Henderson who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Dominick Cruz grapple with Benson Henderson and tries a Outer Leg Sweep
nice takedown Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
BJJ! That is what must be passing through Cruz's mind right now. Nobody wants to stay long in that position with a submission artist like Benson
Benson tries to show some ground skills
Cruz uses his strength to keep Cruz at a disadvantage
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Dominick Cruz hovers above Benson
Benson Henderson stops him from throwing strikes.
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson attempts to trap Dominick Cruz in his guard.
Benson Henderson manages to switch to half guard.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Benson Henderson manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 3:45 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Dominick Cruz uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Dominick Cruz fakes some punches
Benson ties him up.
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Dominick Cruz!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Cruz's being punished here!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Cruz breaks the lock showing some skills...
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Cruz is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Benson Henderson pushes Dominick Cruz down and prevents his attempts to escape
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson rolls him over and takes his back!
The clock says 4:25 in the 1 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Benson is moving on the ground...
Cruz tries to counter Benson's moves on the ground.
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Cruz has Benson controlling his back while on the ground. He tries to roll and find an escape...
Showing some ground skills he transitions to a side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to pass to mount...
Cruz creates space and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Dominick Cruz launches a low kick
that gets blocked quickly.
Terrible one sided match... Cruz was not ready to fight a fighter of Benson Henderson caliber.
Dominick Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Benson is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Steve Mazzagatti tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
Benson is the winner of this round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Dominick Cruz fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
it lands on Benson's chin
Benson Henderson tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Benson Henderson who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Brutal punches to Cruz's face while in the clinch!
Cruz can't take many more shots like those!
The fighters are clinching.
Cruz goes for a scissor takedown. thats unusual
Dominick Cruz is on his back after that attempt
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Shovel hook by Benson Henderson
goes nowhere.
Benson Henderson goes with a looping right hand while Dominick Cruz jumps back and jabs
Benson seems staggered and Dominick Cruz runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Dominick Cruz leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Benson wants to mantain the distance and ducks that one.
A high kick from Benson Henderson
glances off Cruz.
Benson Henderson throws a looping right hand...
That lands on Cruz's chin! That stops Cruz in his tracks!
Nice punches from Dominick Cruz.
Benson staggers backwards. Cruz wants to finish this and continues launching bombs!
Dominick Cruz goes with a looping right hand while Benson Henderson jumps back and jabs
Benson seems staggered and Dominick Cruz runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Cruz wants to take the fight to his advantage and tries to clinch.
Benson wants nothing of that and pushes Cruz.
Dominick Cruz tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Dominick Cruz who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson is absolutely terrifying with his power in the clinch, and is violently punishing Cruz with uppercuts!
Cruz is taking more than he can endure. This could end soon if Cruz is unable to escape!
The clock says 2:30 in the 2 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson pushes Dominick Cruz against the fence and launches a few sick punches
A couple of unanswered uppercuts collide with Cruz's chin! His legs are wobbling!
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The clock says 2:40 in the 2 round
The fighters are clinching.
Benson grapple with Dominick Cruz and tries a Inner leg Sweep
Dominick Cruz falls hard on the mat with Benson Henderson on top of him
Cruz ribs are getting hammered, they look bad!
The clock says 2:50 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to posture up and open Dominick Cruz's guard...
Benson Henderson forces Dominick Cruz to open his guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz launches a few weak punches
Benson blocks them effectively.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to move on the ground and shows Benson Henderson a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Bang! Cruz's forehead receives a strong elbow that rocks his head against the mat! Steve Mazzagatti knows he may be calling off the fight soon!
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He succeeds!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson tries to open up Dominick Cruz's defense faking a few punches.
Dominick Cruz wraps his arms around Benson's arms and counters the punches.
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Benson is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Benson Henderson!
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Benson measures the resilience of Cruz's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Cruz's side.
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Dominick Cruz aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
Good job by Benson blocking and slipping the blows.
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Benson tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
He successfully moves to half guard!
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Benson Henderson manages to switch to full guard.
Dominick Cruz is in open guard over Benson
Benson tries to close his guard around Cruz
He is not able to do it
Dominick Cruz is in open guard over Benson
Benson tries to close his guard around Cruz
He is not able to do it
Steve Mazzagatti stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Benson launches a furious low kick!
Cruz receives a hard blow on his right leg!
Steve Mazzagatti tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
This round is clearly for Benson Henderson.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 3 round
Dominick Cruz fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson!
Benson Henderson is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Cruz and pushes him away!
Benson Henderson paws at Cruz.
Cruz swings ineffectively.
The clock says 0:35 in the 3 round
Cruz decides to launch some tentative punches
Benson Henderson takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Benson Henderson moves forward looking for some grappling action
Benson has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
Benson is trying to counter now!
Big mistake from Dominick Cruz! Benson tries to finish him off with a RNC!
Benson is unable to lock that and Cruz breaks the lock
Benson Henderson pushes away Cruz trying to keep the fight at striking range
Cruz stumbles backwards and Benson Henderson circles to get the center of the cage
Benson wants to close the range and tries to grapple...
Nice move. He shoves himself over his opponent and secure a single collar tie.
The fighters are clinching.
Benson grapple with Dominick Cruz and tries a Inner leg Sweep
Dominick Cruz falls hard on the mat with Benson Henderson on top of him
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson tries to open Cruz's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Benson Henderson. Cruz is unable to cover himself now!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Benson Henderson uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Good looking punches from Benson Henderson on the ground
They could take their toll on Cruz.
Cruz's Forehead is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Benson Henderson uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Benson struggles on the ground and tries to break Dominick Cruz's guard...
Benson Henderson is in Cruz open guard now
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson storms over Cruz with a biblical punishment in the form of elbows!
Benson doesn't stop and viciously hits again and again Cruz's face with his elbows!
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Forehead
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Benson tries to move to full mount
Benson succeeds
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson sits high on Dominick Cruz's chest and pulls his leg underneath Cruz's head. There's the triangle attempt!
That Triangle from Mount from Benson Henderson appears to be unbreakable
That Triangle from Mount from Benson Henderson appears to be unbreakable
You can see the pain reflected in Cruz's eyes...
Dominick Cruz tries to roll out, but Benson Henderson is way ahead of him and already has the triangle locked in. It's tight and Dominick Cruz taps out!
Winner is Benson Henderson by Submission (Triangle from Mount) at 2:51 Round 3
Statistics: Benson Henderson
Punches 3/8 (38%)
Kicks 2/2 (100%)
Clinch strikes 9/12 (75%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 23/42 (55%)
Submissions 5/5 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 432 s
Statistics: Dominick Cruz
Punches 15/28 (54%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 2/18 (11%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/3 (0%)
Time on the ground 432 s
Good show from both gents. After a bit Benson took control and ran with it, but at least he didn't coast like GSP. Props to Phoenix's fighters, who came to fight...unlike GRAPPPLEMUCH'S "guys".
Dominick Cruz raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Steve Mazzagatti.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Benson and Cruz move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Bone shattering straight right hand from Benson Henderson!
Cruz ducks under...
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Dominick Cruz to fight back!
Dominick Cruz attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
A wicked punch by Dominick Cruz
rocks Benson!
Benson is holding Dominick Cruz's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Dominick Cruz loses balance and goes to the ground.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to pass to mount...
Benson slides his knee across and achieves the mount position! Tough spot for Dominick Cruz.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz is one of those men capable of pounding you into oblivion!
Cruz launches a few weak punches
Those punches are hitting Benson's ribs.
The clock says 1:05 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Benson Henderson doesn't want to lose his adventageous position and he struggles to mantain the full mount.
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Benson Henderson aggressively and repeatedly punches Cruz.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Cruz's Mouth is beginning to swell
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson isolates Dominick Cruz's arm and neck looking for an arm triangle
Dominick Cruz is able to relieve the pressure on his neck and slip out of the hold.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson rolls him over and takes his back!
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Benson tries to get a hook in!
Things get worse for Cruz! Benson has one hook in and keeps working!
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson is trying to better his position on the ground and launches a couple of elbows against Cruz's ribs.
Cruz is noticing that and his face shows the pain.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson gets a good position on the ground. ..
Cruz holds Benson Henderson arms and counters his opponent punches.
Poorly executed technique. Dominick Cruz looks to counter!
Cruz is trying to escape from the rear mount.
Benson tries to use some of his tricky moves but Benson's is smart enough to counter him.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with one hook in
Benson has one hook in and is trying to get the second one! If he succeed things are goint to get very bad for Cruz.
Nicely done! Benson now has two hooks in! The end may be near!
The clock says 2:15 in the 1 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
Benson Henderson isolates an arm looking for an armbar from the back...
Cruz locks his hands and forces his weight on top of Benson Henderson unil he can pull his arm free! Benson lost his dominant position.
The clock says 2:25 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Dominick Cruz uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Dominick Cruz is looking to pass Benson Henderson's guard...
Dominick Cruz gets his hips free and moves to half guard.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson launches a few punches to Cruz's cheek from the guard.
Dominick Cruz uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson measures the resilience of Cruz's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Cruz blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Dominick Cruz keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Steve Mazzagatti has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Benson Henderson tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Benson Henderson who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Dominick Cruz grapple with Benson Henderson and tries a Outer Leg Sweep
nice takedown Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
BJJ! That is what must be passing through Cruz's mind right now. Nobody wants to stay long in that position with a submission artist like Benson
Benson tries to show some ground skills
Cruz uses his strength to keep Cruz at a disadvantage
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Dominick Cruz hovers above Benson
Benson Henderson stops him from throwing strikes.
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson attempts to trap Dominick Cruz in his guard.
Benson Henderson manages to switch to half guard.
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Benson Henderson manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 3:45 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Dominick Cruz uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Dominick Cruz fakes some punches
Benson ties him up.
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Benson
Cruz is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Dominick Cruz!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Cruz's being punished here!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Cruz breaks the lock showing some skills...
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Cruz is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Benson Henderson pushes Dominick Cruz down and prevents his attempts to escape
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson rolls him over and takes his back!
The clock says 4:25 in the 1 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Benson is moving on the ground...
Cruz tries to counter Benson's moves on the ground.
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Cruz has Benson controlling his back while on the ground. He tries to roll and find an escape...
Showing some ground skills he transitions to a side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to pass to mount...
Cruz creates space and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Dominick Cruz launches a low kick
that gets blocked quickly.
Terrible one sided match... Cruz was not ready to fight a fighter of Benson Henderson caliber.
Dominick Cruz tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Benson is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Steve Mazzagatti tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
Benson is the winner of this round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Dominick Cruz fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
it lands on Benson's chin
Benson Henderson tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Benson Henderson who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Brutal punches to Cruz's face while in the clinch!
Cruz can't take many more shots like those!
The fighters are clinching.
Cruz goes for a scissor takedown. thats unusual
Dominick Cruz is on his back after that attempt
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Shovel hook by Benson Henderson
goes nowhere.
Benson Henderson goes with a looping right hand while Dominick Cruz jumps back and jabs
Benson seems staggered and Dominick Cruz runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Dominick Cruz leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Benson wants to mantain the distance and ducks that one.
A high kick from Benson Henderson
glances off Cruz.
Benson Henderson throws a looping right hand...
That lands on Cruz's chin! That stops Cruz in his tracks!
Nice punches from Dominick Cruz.
Benson staggers backwards. Cruz wants to finish this and continues launching bombs!
Dominick Cruz goes with a looping right hand while Benson Henderson jumps back and jabs
Benson seems staggered and Dominick Cruz runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Cruz wants to take the fight to his advantage and tries to clinch.
Benson wants nothing of that and pushes Cruz.
Dominick Cruz tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Dominick Cruz who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson is absolutely terrifying with his power in the clinch, and is violently punishing Cruz with uppercuts!
Cruz is taking more than he can endure. This could end soon if Cruz is unable to escape!
The clock says 2:30 in the 2 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson pushes Dominick Cruz against the fence and launches a few sick punches
A couple of unanswered uppercuts collide with Cruz's chin! His legs are wobbling!
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The clock says 2:40 in the 2 round
The fighters are clinching.
Benson grapple with Dominick Cruz and tries a Inner leg Sweep
Dominick Cruz falls hard on the mat with Benson Henderson on top of him
Cruz ribs are getting hammered, they look bad!
The clock says 2:50 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to posture up and open Dominick Cruz's guard...
Benson Henderson forces Dominick Cruz to open his guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz launches a few weak punches
Benson blocks them effectively.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to move on the ground and shows Benson Henderson a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Bang! Cruz's forehead receives a strong elbow that rocks his head against the mat! Steve Mazzagatti knows he may be calling off the fight soon!
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He succeeds!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson tries to open up Dominick Cruz's defense faking a few punches.
Dominick Cruz wraps his arms around Benson's arms and counters the punches.
Cruz is trying to counter now!
Benson is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Benson Henderson!
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Benson measures the resilience of Cruz's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Cruz's side.
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Dominick Cruz aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
Good job by Benson blocking and slipping the blows.
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Benson Henderson
Benson tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
He successfully moves to half guard!
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Benson
Benson Henderson attempts to move to full guard
Benson Henderson manages to switch to full guard.
Dominick Cruz is in open guard over Benson
Benson tries to close his guard around Cruz
He is not able to do it
Dominick Cruz is in open guard over Benson
Benson tries to close his guard around Cruz
He is not able to do it
Steve Mazzagatti stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in SkyDome (Toronto, Ontario) are cheering for the fighters.
Benson launches a furious low kick!
Cruz receives a hard blow on his right leg!
Steve Mazzagatti tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
This round is clearly for Benson Henderson.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 3 round
Dominick Cruz fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson!
Benson Henderson is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Cruz and pushes him away!
Benson Henderson paws at Cruz.
Cruz swings ineffectively.
The clock says 0:35 in the 3 round
Cruz decides to launch some tentative punches
Benson Henderson takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Benson Henderson moves forward looking for some grappling action
Benson has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
Benson is trying to counter now!
Big mistake from Dominick Cruz! Benson tries to finish him off with a RNC!
Benson is unable to lock that and Cruz breaks the lock
Benson Henderson pushes away Cruz trying to keep the fight at striking range
Cruz stumbles backwards and Benson Henderson circles to get the center of the cage
Benson wants to close the range and tries to grapple...
Nice move. He shoves himself over his opponent and secure a single collar tie.
The fighters are clinching.
Benson grapple with Dominick Cruz and tries a Inner leg Sweep
Dominick Cruz falls hard on the mat with Benson Henderson on top of him
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson tries to open Cruz's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Benson Henderson. Cruz is unable to cover himself now!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Benson Henderson uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Good looking punches from Benson Henderson on the ground
They could take their toll on Cruz.
Cruz's Forehead is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Benson Henderson uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Cruz misses a step and Benson Henderson sees an opportunity to counter him!
Benson struggles on the ground and tries to break Dominick Cruz's guard...
Benson Henderson is in Cruz open guard now
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson storms over Cruz with a biblical punishment in the form of elbows!
Benson doesn't stop and viciously hits again and again Cruz's face with his elbows!
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Forehead
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Benson tries to move to full mount
Benson succeeds
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson sits high on Dominick Cruz's chest and pulls his leg underneath Cruz's head. There's the triangle attempt!
That Triangle from Mount from Benson Henderson appears to be unbreakable
That Triangle from Mount from Benson Henderson appears to be unbreakable
You can see the pain reflected in Cruz's eyes...
Dominick Cruz tries to roll out, but Benson Henderson is way ahead of him and already has the triangle locked in. It's tight and Dominick Cruz taps out!
Winner is Benson Henderson by Submission (Triangle from Mount) at 2:51 Round 3
Statistics: Benson Henderson
Punches 3/8 (38%)
Kicks 2/2 (100%)
Clinch strikes 9/12 (75%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 23/42 (55%)
Submissions 5/5 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 432 s
Statistics: Dominick Cruz
Punches 15/28 (54%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 2/18 (11%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/3 (0%)
Time on the ground 432 s
Good show from both gents. After a bit Benson took control and ran with it, but at least he didn't coast like GSP. Props to Phoenix's fighters, who came to fight...unlike GRAPPPLEMUCH'S "guys".