Post by The Sandmen on Apr 19, 2013 18:03:52 GMT -5
ManMMA Lightweight Championship
Diego Sanchez looks very relaxed.
Dominick Cruz 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.
And here we go with the title fight!
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 Mario Yamasaki.
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Round 1
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The fight gets underway.
The two exchange wildly
Cruz is connecting with a few punches
Bone shattering straight left hand from Diego Sanchez!
Cruz ducks under...
The clock says 0:35 in the 1 round
Diego is holding Dominick Cruz's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Dominick Cruz shows great balance while pushing away Diego Sanchez
Diego is holding Dominick Cruz's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Dominick Cruz loses balance and goes to the ground.
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego Sanchez fakes some punches
Cruz ties him up.
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz attempts to trap Diego Sanchez in his guard.
Dominick Cruz manages to switch to full guard.
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Diego Sanchez!
Dominick Cruz is in full mount over Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez tries to roll to his side and trap Dominick Cruz in his guard...
Diego Sanchez gets his hip out and moves to full guard.
Dominick Cruz is in open guard over Diego
Diego tries to close his guard around Cruz
He succeeds!
The clock says 1:45 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Diego
Cruz is in closed guard... Diego tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Dominick Cruz!
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego 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!
Cruz has a small cut in his Mouth
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego Sanchez takes a deep breath as he passes his arm over Dominick Cruz shoulder and pushes his arm againts the mat!
Dominick Cruz breaks that americana attempt!
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego looks to be in very good shape.
Diego Sanchez fakes some punches
then lands a big punch to Cruz's face!
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego suddenly holds Dominick Cruz's arm and tries an armbar!
Cruz can break the lock and now he is in a closed guard over Diego Sanchez!
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Diego
Cruz tries to stand up!
Diego doesn't allow him!
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Diego
Cruz positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
Diego's attempts to cover himself and blocks those elbows.
Dominick Cruz is in closed guard over Diego
The fight was awfully one sided. Matchmakers should take this into account for future fights.
Dominick Cruz doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Dominick Cruz. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 2:50 in the 1 round
Cruz avoids a dangerous strike from Diego
and fends him off with feel-out punches.
Cruz clumsily fails here and it's time for Diego Sanchez to fight back!
Diego Sanchez has found an opening in the defense of Cruz, launching a big uppercut
Bingo! Cruz is wobbling!
The two exchange wildly
both landing but without much steam behind the shots.
Diego has a small cut in his Chin
Quick hook by Dominick Cruz
glances off Diego's arms.
Diego cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Cruz can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Dominick Cruz leans forwards and tries to grapple with Diego
Cruz shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Dominick Cruz tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Diego is determined to work from the clinch. He pummeled through and managed to retain his position.
Cruz misses a step and Diego Sanchez sees an opportunity to counter him!
Dominick Cruz's corner is turning out to be his worst enemy! Diego is throwing a flurry of punches!
Dominick Cruz just can't get away!
The clock says 3:35 in the 1 round
The fighters are clinching.
Diego pushes Dominick Cruz againts the fence and begin a relentless combination of punches. The crowd is on it's feet!
Cruz tries to block Diego Sanchez punches...
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Diego Sanchez embrace and tries to move away...
Diego Sanchez pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Cruz grab one of Diego Sanchez's arm and tries a Hip Throw
with a twist of his hip Dominick Cruz throw Diego to the mat like a ragdoll
Cruz is standing while Diego is on the ground on his back
Diego tries to hit Dominick Cruz with a kick to his knee from the ground.
Cruz dodges that
Diego Sanchez gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Cruz cartwheels towards Diego!
He lands in side mount over a surprised Diego Sanchez.
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez is cooling the fight on the ground
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Diego Sanchez
Diego tries to show some ground skills
Diego Sanchez put Cruz in half guard.
The clock says 4:30 in the 1 round
Dominick Cruz is in half guard over Diego
Dominick Cruz tries to pass Diego Sanchez's guard...
Dominick Cruz manages to get his leg free and moves to side mount.
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Diego Sanchez
Diego works on the ground with his fingers over Cruz's face
He seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Mario Yamasaki didn't see the foul!
Dominick Cruz is in side mount over Diego Sanchez
Dominick Cruz looks to pass to mount...
Diego creates space and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 4:55 in the 1 round
Cruz tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Cruz is clinching with Diego.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
Diego is the winner of this round.
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Round 2
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Diego grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He is not able to do it
The clock says 0:35 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Good looking punches from Diego Sanchez on the ground
They could take their toll on Cruz.
The clock says 0:45 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Diego Sanchez tries to pass to half guard...
Dominick Cruz can't prevent his opponent from passing. Diego looks to work from half guard.
Diego Sanchez is in half guard over Cruz
Cruz looks to be in very good shape.
Dominick Cruz attempts to move to full guard
Dominick Cruz manages to switch to full guard.
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Diego tries to move to full mount
Diego's ground game is not enough to provide him any advantage
Cruz tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He succeeds!
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego tries to escape from the closed guard
Diego succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He succeeds!
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Diego Sanchez uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
The clock says 1:45 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego struggles on the ground and tries to break Dominick Cruz's guard...
Diego Sanchez is in Cruz open guard now
The clock says 1:55 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Diego Sanchez aggressively and repeatedly punches Cruz.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Cruz's Chin is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to move on the ground and shows Diego Sanchez a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Cruz uses his forearms to block the impact!
The clock says 2:20 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He is not able to do it
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz works on the ground with his fingers over Diego's face
He seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Mario Yamasaki didn't see that!
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He is not able to do it
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz tries to close his guard around Diego
He is not able to do it
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Diego Sanchez tries a hook to the body
but Cruz manages to dodge it
Poorly executed technique. Dominick Cruz looks to counter!
Dominick Cruz tries a middle kick
Diego Sanchez blocks and steps away.
Diego Sanchez is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Diego Sanchez attempts a sweep single...
Diego Sanchez catches Dominick Cruz's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Diego.
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Cruz launches a few weak punches
Those punches are hitting Diego's ribs.
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Good looking punches from Diego Sanchez on the ground
They could take their toll on Cruz.
Cruz's Mouth is beginning to swell
The clock says 3:45 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego Sanchez was tooling Dominick Cruz for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Dominick Cruz lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Diego Sanchez is cooling the fight on the ground
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
Diego use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Jose Miguel Arelot Coliseum (San Juan, Puerto Rico) is cheering him!
The clock says 4:10 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz attempts to trap Diego Sanchez in his guard.
Diego Sanchez keeps control and remains in side mount.
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego Sanchez looks to pass to mount...
Diego slides his knee across and achieves the mount position! Tough spot for Dominick Cruz.
The clock says 4:35 in the 2 round
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll on the ground...
Diego knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Diego is trying to counter now!
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Diego Sanchez in his guard...
Diego Sanchez rolls him over and takes his back!
Diego is in rear mount over Cruz
Cruz is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Mario Yamasaki didn't see that!
Diego is in rear mount over Cruz
Diego Sanchez slides his arm under Dominick Cruz's chin and locks in a rear naked choke!
Dominick Cruz pushes up and slides Diego Sanchez's arm over his chin.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Cruz.
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Round 3
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Diego moves forward looking for some action
Diego Sanchez shows some wrestling skills as he put his opponent in a double overhook!
Dominick Cruz pushes away Diego trying to keep the fight at striking range
Diego doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Dominick Cruz
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Cruz tries to breaks Diego Sanchez's resistence with a few punches while tries to push him against oner corner.
Cruz doesn't find the right way... He have to improve his position for causing any real damage
Cruz clumsily fails here and it's time for Diego Sanchez to fight back!
Diego Sanchez postures up and launches another series of punches!
A lot of them are hitting Cruz hard, who may be wondering how to scape from this!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Dominick Cruz pushes away Diego trying to keep the fight at striking range
Diego doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Dominick Cruz
The fighters are clinching.
Cruz grapple with Diego Sanchez and tries a Inner leg Sweep
Diego Sanchez managed to maintain his balances and move away from Cruz
Dominick Cruz attempts a sweep single...
Diego Sanchez was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
The two exchange wildly
both landing but without much steam behind the shots.
The clock says 1:15 in the 3 round
Cruz showing excellent timing, blasts Diego Sanchez with a right hand.
Diego steps backwards and the punch goes wide.
A solid combination from Diego Sanchez
connects with Cruz.
Cruz has a small cut in his Left cheek
Not a desiderable position that Cruz is in now. Diego Sanchez is well knowed for his strong and relentless GnP.
Several good body shots
land on Cruz.
Diego Sanchez tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Diego Sanchez who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
The clock says 1:50 in the 3 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Cruz and Diego Sanchez are cliched up against the cage. Cruz hammers Diego face and hooks Diego leg
Diego stays on his feet and fights off the trip
Dominick Cruz gets sloppy and Diego Sanchez tries to take advantage...
Diego begins to launch a barrage of punches over Cruz
this is getting worse and worse for Cruz
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Mouth
Cruz doesn't stop bleeding.
Diego launches a stiff jab!
That barely hits Cruz's face but it seems like one finger has poked his eye! Does the referee see that?
Mario Yamasaki didn't see that!
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Cruz steps backwards away from Diego Sanchez. He seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Diego Sanchez goes with a looping right hand while Dominick Cruz jumps back and jabs
Cruz seems staggered and Diego Sanchez runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Lightning fast low kick from Diego!
Cruz blocks that kick with his leg.
Cruz avoids a dangerous strike from Diego
and fends him off with feel-out punches.
Cruz clumsily fails here and it's time for Diego Sanchez to fight back!
Cruz leads with a punch
Diego Sanchez avoids it and lands flush with a counter uppercut!
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Diego Sanchez throws a looping left hand...
That lands on Cruz's chin! That stops Cruz in his tracks!
Cruz's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Diego wants to close the range and tries to grapple...
Nice move. He shoves himself over his opponent and secure a single collar tie.
Cruz doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Diego Sanchez embrace and tries to move away...
Diego Sanchez pushes Cruz forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Diego Sanchez tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Diego circles out and slips free of Dominick Cruz's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Cruz moves forward looking for some action
Diego Sanchez struggles a bit before breaking Cruz's attemp of grappling
Dominick Cruz goes with a looping right hand while Diego Sanchez jumps back and jabs
Cruz seems staggered and Diego Sanchez runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Cruz's Nose is beginning to swell
Cruz has a small cut in his Nose
Brutal combination from Diego Sanchez!
Cruz is in a bad way, his legs look wobbily!
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Diego Sanchez moves forward looking for some grappling action
Diego has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Diego and Dominick Cruz are cliched up against the cage. Diego steps for a throw
Dominick Cruz is flat on his back. great Judo technique shown!
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz launches a few punches to Diego's cheek from the guard.
Diego Sanchez uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Cruz clumsily fails here and it's time for Diego Sanchez to fight back!
Diego tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. He is in full mount now.
The clock says 4:25 in the 3 round
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz doesn't stop bleeding.
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Diego Sanchez in his guard...
Diego Sanchez keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
Diego 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!
Cruz's Nose is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Diego's moves.
The clock says 4:55 in the 3 round
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Terrible one sided match... Cruz was not ready to fight a fighter of Diego Sanchez caliber.
Dominick Cruz tries to roll on the ground...
Diego knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
This round is clearly for Diego Sanchez.
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Round 4
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The clock says 0:10 in the 4 round
Diego Sanchez shoots for a double leg takedown!
He hits it! Dominick Cruz is taken off his feet, but he manages to pull Diego into his guard.
Diego Sanchez is in closed guard over Cruz
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Diego is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Diego Sanchez uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Cruz clumsily fails here and it's time for Diego Sanchez to fight back!
Diego tries to improve his position on the ground as he sits on his knees and tries to break the closed guard.
Diego Sanchez fakes a few punches and then slips one leg to get the half mount.
Diego Sanchez is in half guard over Cruz
Diego Sanchez tries to pass Dominick Cruz's guard...
Diego Sanchez manages to get his leg free and moves to side mount.
The clock says 0:40 in the 4 round
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz doesn't stop bleeding.
Diego Sanchez looks to mount Dominick Cruz...
Diego Sanchez slides his knee across and gets to mount.
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Diego Sanchez in his guard...
Diego Sanchez keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Mario Yamasaki 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 Jose Miguel Arelot Coliseum (San Juan, Puerto Rico) are cheering for the fighters.
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Diego Sanchez tries to bring the fight to the ground
Cruz goes down.
Diego Sanchez is in open guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Diego tries to jump to side mount.
Dominick Cruz closed his guard around Diego Sanchez.
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego Sanchez hovers above Cruz
Good punches to Cruz's body.
Hard blow to Cruz's mid-section, he seems hurt
Diego Sanchez is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Diego tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. He is in full mount now.
Diego Sanchez is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Diego goes for an armbar!
Crippling lock!
Cruz Hyper-extended his arm
You can see the pain reflected in Cruz's eyes...
Punishing hold!
Dominick Cruz taps out after a text book armbar!
Winner is Diego Sanchez by Submission (Armbar) at 2:01 Round 4
Statistics: Diego Sanchez
Punches 31/45 (69%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 8/16 (50%)
Takedowns 5/6 (83%)
GnP strikes 20/23 (87%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 575 s
Statistics: Dominick Cruz
Punches 9/17 (53%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 2/4 (50%)
Takedowns 1/4 (25%)
GnP strikes 2/9 (22%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 2/2 (100%)
Time on the ground 562 s
Diego Sanchez defends the Lightweight title!
After some early feeling out, this was kinda one-sided. Diego started with some chipping away, and then slipped ahead. He used that early damage mini-advantage later in the fight when he created openings and teed off on Cruz later, exploiting the ddamage from earlier. Or so I choose to believe. Perhaps you see it differently. I don't. So bite me.