Post by The Sandmen on Jul 4, 2012 15:16:07 GMT -5
ManMMA Lightweight Championship
Benson Henderson is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
Dominick Cruz raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
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 Steve Mazzagatti.
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Round 1
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Benson and Cruz move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Good front kick from Cruz!
Benson Henderson blocks
Benson follows Dominick Cruz
only to get counter punched in a big way! Benson needs to stop playing Dominick Cruz's game or he'll get knocked out!
Lightning fast low kick from Cruz!
Benson blocks that kick with his leg.
Poorly executed technique. Benson Henderson looks to counter!
A right hand from Benson Henderson
makes Cruz stumble back!
Cruz's Forehead is beginning to swell
Brutal-looking high kick from Benson Henderson!
Cruz dodges!
Cruz tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Cruz is clinching with Benson.
The fighters are clinching.
1:08 Round 1 and Benson is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Brutal punches to Cruz's face while in the clinch!
Cruz can't take many more shots like those!
Cruz's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Left cheek
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 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 better his position on the ground...
Benson breaks the closed guard of Dominick Cruz and moves to half guard
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
Cruz's attempts to cover himself and blocks those elbows.
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Dominick Cruz to fight back!
Dominick Cruz attempts to trap Benson Henderson in his guard.
Benson Henderson keeps control and remains in side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson Henderson looks to mount Dominick Cruz...
Benson Henderson slides his knee across and gets to mount.
The clock says 1:50 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick 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.
The clock says 2:00 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Dominick Cruz gets his hip out and moves to full guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz works on the ground with his fingers over Benson's face
He seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Steve Mazzagatti didn't see the foul!
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Benson is one of those men capable of pounding you into oblivion!
Benson leans back...
Cruz eyes him warily.
Benson misses a step and Dominick Cruz sees an opportunity to counter him!
Cruz tries to close his guard around Benson
He succeeds!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson hovers above Cruz
Dominick Cruz stops him from throwing strikes.
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Terrible one sided match... Cruz was not ready to fight a fighter of Benson Henderson caliber.
Benson Henderson aggressively and repeatedly punches Cruz.
Good job by Cruz blocking and slipping the blows.
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Dominick Cruz to fight back!
Benson is in closed guard... Cruz tries to roll on the ground!
Benson Henderson uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
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 Rexall Place (Edmonton, Alberta) are cheering for the fighters.
Benson Henderson attempts to cut off Cruz with punches
Cruz reels from the strikes.
Brilliant combination from Dominick Cruz
that forces Benson to try and defend better.
The clock says 3:10 in the 1 round
Benson feints and moves forward to hit with a hook
Cruz moves aside and dodges.
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Dominick Cruz to fight back!
Benson Henderson paws at Cruz.
Cruz answers with solid punches!
A left hook from Benson
grazes the chin of Cruz.
Benson throws a hook
that hits its mark.
Cruz has a small cut in his Nose
Benson grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Cruz breaths deeply while on the ground
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Cruz
Not a desiderable position that Cruz is in now. Benson Henderson is well knowed for his strong and relentless GnP.
Benson Henderson tries to pass to half guard...
Dominick Cruz can't prevent his opponent from passing. Benson looks to work from half guard.
Benson Henderson is in half guard over Cruz
Benson tries to free his leg...
Cruz doesn't allow any movement here! He's cooling the fight on the ground.
Benson Henderson is in half guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Benson tries to cover his face,
The clock says 4:20 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in half guard over Cruz
Benson positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
Cruz's attempts to cover himself and blocks those elbows.
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Dominick Cruz tries to take advantage...
Dominick Cruz attempts to move to full guard
Benson Henderson keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Benson Henderson is in half guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Benson tries to cover his face,
Benson Henderson is in half guard over Cruz
Benson Henderson tries to free his leg
Benson Henderson uses some of his skill by jumping out of Cruz's guard. He moves quickly to side mount!
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson fires a barrage of punches at Cruz's head!
This is bad! Benson is just pounding on Dominick Cruz's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
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 Rexall Place (Edmonton, Alberta) are cheering for the fighters.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
This round is clearly for Benson Henderson.
The cutman is working on Cruz's face.
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Round 2
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The two exchange wildly
both landing but without much steam behind the shots.
Brutal combination from Benson Henderson!
Cruz is in a bad way, his legs look wobbily!
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Chin
Benson 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.
Cruz showing excellent timing, blasts Benson Henderson with a right hand.
Benson steps backwards and the punch goes wide.
Dominick Cruz gets sloppy and Benson Henderson tries to take advantage...
A left hook from Benson
grazes the chin of Cruz.
The clock says 0:40 in the 2 round
As the fight continues it seems that Dominick Cruz is taking the best of the fight.
Solid low kick from Dominick Cruz.
For sure, that had to hurt!
Cruz wants to take the fight to his advantage and tries to clinch.
Cruz moves forward and holds Benson
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Dominick Cruz's face is covered in blood. He may be having problems seeing as he wipes the blood out of his eyes.
Benson Henderson grapple with Dominick Cruz and tries a Outer Leg Sweep
nice takedown Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz tries to show some ground skills
Benson uses his strength to keep Benson at a disadvantage
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz attempts to trap Benson Henderson in his guard.
Benson Henderson keeps control and remains in side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz's face is covered in blood. He may be having problems seeing as he wipes the blood out of his eyes.
Benson Henderson looks to mount Dominick Cruz...
Benson Henderson slides his knee across and gets to mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick 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.
Dominick Cruz gets sloppy and Benson Henderson tries to take advantage...
Cruz tries to escape from the full mount...
Cruz struggles and pushes his opponent maybe a bit anxiously
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
The fight was awfully one sided. Matchmakers should take this into account for future fights.
Benson launches a barrage of elbows over Cruz's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Cruz doesn't fight back!
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
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 Benson's moves.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson delivers a few accurate elbows!
Cruz is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Left cheek
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Dominick Cruz continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
Cruz has Benson controlling his back while on the ground. He tries to roll and find an escape...
Benson is unable to move under Cruz control.
Dominick Cruz gets sloppy and Benson Henderson tries to take advantage...
Benson Henderson tries to open Cruz's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Benson Henderson. Cruz is unable to cover himself now!
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Cruz tries to stand up!
Benson doesn't allow him!
The clock says 2:55 in the 2 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz
Dominick Cruz continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
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 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 3:20 in the 2 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
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 is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
Cruz doesn't stop bleeding.
Benson Henderson slides his arm under Dominick Cruz's chin and locks in a rear naked choke!
Benson is locking that Rear Naked Choke...
Punishing hold!
Dominick Cruz pushes up and slides Benson Henderson's arm over his chin.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
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!
Cruz's Mouth is bruised after the punishement he's received!
The clock says 3:40 in the 2 round
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Benson is in rear mount with two hooks in! He is working on a desperate Cruz, who tries to defend himself and escape from that position.
Benson moves looking to sink a rear naked choke and finish this.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
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.
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
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 is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
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!
Cruz's Forehead is beginning to swell
There is a small laceration on Dominick Cruz's Forehead
Benson is in rear mount over Cruz with two hooks in
Cruz has to use some of his skills to escape safely from this position...
Cruz is unable to find a way to escape from this.
Poorly executed technique. Benson Henderson looks to counter!
Benson gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! He's just wailing away at Dominick Cruz! The referee is saying he's going to stop it if Dominick Cruz doesn't defend himself!
Cruz's Nose is beginning to swell
Steve Mazzagatti stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
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.
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
Benson gets himself into good position and looks to change levels for the takedown...
Benson gets hold of a leg and trips Cruz to the mat!
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Cruz
Dominick Cruz's face is covered in blood. He may be having problems seeing as he wipes the blood out of his eyes.
Benson Henderson is looking to pass Dominick Cruz's guard...
Benson Henderson gets his hips free and moves to half guard.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
This round is clearly for Benson Henderson.
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Round 3
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The clock says 0:10 in the 3 round
Benson is one of those men capable of pounding you into oblivion!
Dominick Cruz is a bloody mess!
Benson is holding Dominick Cruz's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Dominick Cruz loses balance and goes to the ground.
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz's face is covered in blood. He may be having problems seeing as he wipes the blood out of his eyes.
Benson Henderson looks to mount Dominick Cruz...
Benson Henderson slides his knee across and gets to mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Benson is getting frustrated here.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Dominick Cruz
Cruz tries to escape from the full mount...
Benson Henderson is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep his superior position.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
You can see Cruz's blood making stains in the mat.
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!
Cruz's Forehead is beginning to swell
The clock says 1:00 in the 3 round
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
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
Dominick Cruz's face is covered in blood. He may be having problems seeing as he wipes the blood out of his eyes.
Benson suddenly holds Dominick Cruz's arm and tries an armbar!
Cruz almost didn't see what was happening before tap!
Winner is Benson Henderson by Submission (Armbar) at 1:18 Round 3
Statistics: Benson Henderson
Punches 15/17 (88%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/5 (80%)
Takedowns 3/3 (100%)
GnP strikes 35/59 (59%)
Submissions 2/2 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 422 s
Statistics: Dominick Cruz
Punches 11/15 (73%)
Kicks 1/3 (33%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 4/15 (27%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 2/2 (100%)
Time on the ground 422 s
Benson Henderson defends the Lightweight title!
A great fight from Benson. He went all-out and destroyed Cruz, leaving Dominick in a terrible position, fighting to stay in the fight, rather than fighting to win it. Though Cruz did a great job of staying alive, he wasn't ever doing enough to turn the tables on this matchup and lost this one convincingly. Benson might be here to stay people.