Aalon Cruz
Division: Featherweight
Result: Spike Carlyle def. Aalon Cruz via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1.25
Record: (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: D
Every fighter dreams of making a big impression on their UFC debut. Unfortunately for [autotag]Aalon Cruz[/autotag], that dream turned into a nightmare in Norfolk when he ran into a strawberry blond buzzsaw called Spike Carlyle.
Blessed with four-inch height and seven-inch reach advantages, Cruz looked to make his superior range pay as he opened up with a few kicks from the outside to test the distance. But he was rocked with a big head-kick, stunned by a big elbow, then finished with a barrage of ground strikes as Carlyle’s power overcame Cruz’s range in emphatic fashion.
We know from Cruz’s eye-catching performance in the Contender Series last summer that he has slick striking and excellent kicking techniques. But he was roughed up at close range, and the fact that all three of his career losses all came with Cruz on the mat perhaps highlights the area in need of most improvement if he’s to move forward and make full use of his striking skills.