PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Lloyd Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rakio Raw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raw is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Hollow Points". These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lloyd Cross
vs
Raw

175 cm
24
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
23
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Lloyd Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rakio Raw!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Lloyd Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Cross or perhaps it was just good defense by Raw which made him look bad.
Raw throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt - Raw sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cross fails with the takedown.

Raw moves into the clinch successfully.

Raw works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Raw must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Raw tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.
Raw scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Raw got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cross has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Raw has managed to get both his arms back between Cross's legs - danger averted.
Raw looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raw avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Raw trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raw pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cross is keeping the position for now.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Raw from controlling successfully.
Raw postures up.
Cross has momentary wrist control but Raw slips an elbow through the middle.

Cross is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Cross is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Raw is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raw would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Raw from controlling successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cross is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Raw trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cross had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Raw defends it easily.
Raw tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.
Raw throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Cross looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Raw looks to land a combination but Cross avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raw throws a series of punches but Cross moves out of range.
Cross fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Raw avoids it really well and circles away.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Raw. Raw gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross dodges the punch combination from Raw.

Raw shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Raw was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Raw lands a big elbow.
Raw looking to control but Cross is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Raw throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Cross regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Raw slips a nice elbow through Cross's hands, connecting with Cross's forehead.

Cross is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raw pulls his head out easily.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Raw throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cross moves into full guard.
Raw stopping the sweep attempt from Cross.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raw doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raw manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rakio Raw will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cross shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Raw counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Cross has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Raw should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Cross has tightened it up now! Raw should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Lloyd Cross!