PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Horace Cross (ranked 2710 p4p, 2925 weight class) and Freddy Jupiter (ranked 316 p4p, 336 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Cross
vs
Jupiter

190 cm
25
200
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
197
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Horace Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Freddy Jupiter!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Jupiter sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jupiter misses with a takedown attempt - Cross sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jupiter shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cross as he avoids it easily.
Cross drops down looking for a counter takedown but Jupiter sprawls and moves away.

Jupiter closes the distance and clinches.

Jupiter manages to break the clinch.

Jupiter has managed to clinch.
Jupiter is working for takedown but Cross is calmly controlling the position for now.
Horace Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Freddy Jupiter.
Jupiter being controlled against the cage.
Cross is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jupiter is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cross gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jupiter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross wants to take the fight to the mat but Jupiter manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Jupiter gets control of Cross's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jupiter will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Jupiter looking for a sweep. Not yet Jupiter, not yet.
Jupiter working a defensive guard but Cross manages to pass into side control anyway.
We've been hearing good reports from Cross's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Jupiter has one of Cross's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Cross is trying to get an arm triangle but Jupiter is defending well.
Jupiter prevents Cross from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross controlling the position from side mount.
Cross wants to control but Jupiter is keeping him busy.
Cross scores with punches from side control.
Cross controlling the position from side mount.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jupiter keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jupiter is looking to reverse the position.
Jupiter is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cross's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Jupiter wants to control but Cross is keeping busy.
Cross controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jupiter trying to control from the bottom.
Cross wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jupiter throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.
Jupiter doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Cross counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cross.
Cross stopping the sweep attempt from Jupiter.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cross's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cross drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Jupiter dives on top into guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Horace Cross will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A head kick misses from Jupiter.
Cross throws a counter high kick but Jupiter was just alert enough to avoid it.
Cross throws a body kick that misses

and Jupiter moves into the clinch.

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

Cross shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Well, if Cross is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cross is keen to just control but Jupiter is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jupiter is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cross scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is thwarting Jupiter's attempts to control the position.
Jupiter holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Cross performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Cross trying to control the action but Jupiter is working from the bottom.
Jupiter is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.

Cross is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cross not doing much here.
Jupiter pushes Cross off looking to stand but Cross dives back in and keeps control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cross lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Cross. No joy for Jupiter on that attempt.
Horace Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jupiter.
Cross swats away the attempt to clinch by Jupiter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jupiter counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cross!

Cross sneaks out the side door and pushes Jupiter away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jupiter feints the counter takedown.
A lazy body kick from Cross

and Jupiter counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jupiter.
Cross wants to get back to his feet but Jupiter passes into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Horace Cross overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cross gets full guard.

Cross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jupiter doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jupiter manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jupiter stays in close to Cross's body and controls the position.
Jupiter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jupiter trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Jupiter landing some decent shots from guard.

Jupiter stands up from Cross's guard - Jupiter perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cross scores with a hook to the body. Jupiter takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Horace Cross dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jupiter gets caught napping as Cross dives in and scores a takedown. Jupiter manages to retain guard.
Jupiter wants to sweep but no luck.
Jupiter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jupiter trying to control from half guard but Cross is working away.
Cross wants to get back to full guard but Jupiter has mounted him!
My spies in Rio Grappling Club inform me that Jupiter has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross is working to get back to half guard.
Jupiter lands a big shot there that rocks Cross but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Jupiter tries to control but Cross wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross tries to hold on but Jupiter postures up.
Jupiter postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cross looks a forlorn figure.
Cross is squirming around, avoiding Jupiter's attempts to control the action.
Cross is wriggling around trying to escape.
Jupiter misses with a head shot.
Cross regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jupiter is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Jupiter is looking to stall here but Cross recovers full guard.
Cross wants to stand and escape but Jupiter is having none of it.

Cross is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jupiter in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jupiter is one step ahead there.
Jupiter slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cross has Jupiter pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jupiter checks a leg kick.
Jupiter throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A punch combination from Cross misses.
Jupiter throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cross.
Cross thinks about countering with a head kick.
Jupiter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cross.
Cross tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jupiter sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cross somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Cross shoots in and gets a takedown into Jupiter's guard.

Jupiter manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown but Jupiter manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cross's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Freddy Jupiter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Horace Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Horace Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jupiter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Freddy Jupiter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!