PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flavius Aetius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cross might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The American Dream Song. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cross
vs
Aetius

179 cm
30
168 lbs
25 - 8 - 1

178 cm
30
161 lbs
24 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Canadian Fighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Cross!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Flavius Aetius!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Cross does no damage.
Cross slaps away a takedown attempt from Aetius, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cross punishes Aetius's body with a nice straight punch.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.

Aetius looking to score a takedown here. Cross is defending well but Aetius drives through and ends up in Cross's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross is pulling down on Aetius's head to control his posture.
Aetius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Aetius stands and throws Cross's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face as Aetius controls the position.
Cross is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.
Aetius missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cross keeping full guard, as Aetius tries to pass.
Aetius trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cross controlling Aetius's posture.
Cross working a defensive guard here.
Aetius wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
Cross wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because David Cross just wasn't active enough.
Aetius looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aetius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cross blocks a head kick by Aetius.
Aetius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cross checks a low kick from Aetius.
Aetius is looking to chop away at Cross's legs.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cross throws a hook but Aetius blocks it.
Cross connects with a high kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross looks to throw the jab but Aetius is out of range.
Cross scores with a nice right hand.
Aetius misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aetius looks to throw a body kick
and Cross counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Aetius throws a leg kick but Cross moved away.
Aetius tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aetius tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cross misses with a body shot.
Cross is looking to wear down Aetius with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Aetius fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aetius.
Cross connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Aetius tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aetius shoots in looking for a takedown. Cross tries to sprawl out of it but Aetius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cross manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
David Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flavius Aetius.
Aetius throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aetius at a distance.
Cross checks the leg kick nicely there.
An inside leg kick from Cross misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aetius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Cross checks a leg kick.
Cross missing with a left hand there. Aetius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.
Aetius fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aetius uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aetius shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cross wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cross with a jab.
Cross throws a body kick that misses.
Cross jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cross.
Cross misses with a straight right.
Aetius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cross throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cross checks the leg kick.
Aetius throws a lazy head kick
and Cross makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The fighters circling - Cross throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aetius wants to land a leg kick but Cross is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aetius tries a head kick but it misses.
Flavius Aetius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cross shoots for a double leg takedown but Aetius sprawls well. He's pushed Cross's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Aetius ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aetius throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cross fails to land with a series of punches.
Cross misses with a leg kick.
Cross checks a low kick from Aetius.
Cross throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Aetius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Good work by Cross as he checks the leg kick.
Cross tries to land a leg kick but Aetius saw it coming and moves away.
Aetius throws a leg kick but Cross checks it.
Cross blocks a low kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Cross lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aetius at a distance.
Aetius lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cross connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aetius's hands.
Aetius throws a leg kick but Cross checks it.
Aetius uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cross. Aetius does a little dance to reset his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross looks to score with a jab to the body but Aetius is just out of range.
Aetius tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cross is able to avoid easily.
Aetius throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aetius shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Aetius tries to land a leg kick but Cross saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross connects with a jab.
David Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Aetius wants to land a leg kick but Cross is out of range.
Cross throws a body kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Cross.
Cross will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aetius.
Cross scores with a jab.
Cross throws a jab when Aetius was well out of range.
A head kick misses from Cross.

Aetius scores a takedown into full mount!
Aetius trying to control but Cross is having none of it.
Cross tries to hold on but Aetius pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Aetius putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aetius trying to control but Cross is having none of it.
Aetius might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cross kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Aetius is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Cross can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross wants to hold on but Aetius pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Flavius Aetius will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Aetius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cross misses with a left hand
and Aetius counters with a low kick, right behind Cross 's knee.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aetius, right into the meat.
Aetius moves away from the strike by Cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cross.
Aetius shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cross but Cross pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cross checks a low kick from Aetius.
Cross moves out of range as Aetius throws a body kick.
Cross throws a body punch but Aetius moves out of range.
Aetius throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cross.
Cross scores with a head kick.
Cross lands with a nice combination. Aetius backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cross connects with a jab.
Aetius throws a low kick, looking for Cross's leg but Cross calmly moves out of range.
Cross tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cross is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cross fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Aetius is out of range.
Cross cracks the inside of Aetius's front leg.
Cross missing with a left hand there. Aetius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Aetius closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cross's guard.
Cross trying to control the position.
Aetius engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Aetius from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross is looking for a triangle but Aetius pushes his legs off easily.
Cross wants to improve his position but instead Aetius has moved into half guard.
Cross is trying to control but can't.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cross is pressing down on Aetius's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Aetius with a nice head shot there.
Cross has momentary wrist control but Aetius slips an elbow through the middle.
Cross manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Aetius working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aetius bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cross bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aetius's guard.
Cross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cross controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cross with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Aetius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aetius is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aetius is trying to control the position but Cross postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Aetius keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. David Cross wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Aetius throws a low kick, looking for Cross's leg but Cross calmly moves out of range.
Aetius shoots in but no luck this time.
Aetius pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cross is out of range and Aetius settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Aetius.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross lunges at Aetius with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aetius's hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aetius takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cross uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but David Cross did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cross throws a hook but Aetius avoids it easily.
Aetius looks to land a body kick but Cross moved away.
A clash of legs there as Cross blocks the low kick.
Cross lands a nice hook to Aetius's body. Aetius takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aetius manages to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cross checks a leg kick.
Aetius finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A nice combination there by Cross.
Aetius lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Aetius is looking to land body kicks.
Aetius throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.
Cross jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aetius tries a low kick but Cross avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aetius is looking to score with low kicks.
Cross fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cross throws a body punch but Aetius moves out of range.
Aetius connects with a leg kick. Cross looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Aetius throws out a leg kick but Cross moves out of range and Aetius only half commits.
Cross is looking to clinch.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Cross connects with a high kick.
Cross thows a body shot but no joy.

Aetius shoots in and bounces Cross off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Aetius trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control the position.
Aetius trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

Cross has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aetius can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aetius scoring with some ground and pound.
Aetius is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cross is trying to control the position but Aetius postures up.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Aetius from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross can't keep his opponent in guard - Aetius advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cross wants to get back to his feet.
Cross trying to control here.
Aetius trying to control the action but Cross is working from the bottom.
Aetius throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aetius seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cross does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aetius is thwarting Cross's attempts to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aetius tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cross is able to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to slow Aetius down by chopping away at his legs.
Aetius looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Cross tries a head kick but it misses.
Cross throws the kick towards the body but Aetius avoids it.
Cross throws a leg kick but Aetius sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Aetius shoots in looking for a takedown but Cross manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aetius's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cross fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Aetius checks it well.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Aetius.
Cross swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aetius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cross tries to land a leg kick but Aetius saw it coming and moves away.
Aetius blocks the body kick.
Aetius connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that David Cross will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cross throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aetius on the side of the head.
Cross waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aetius.
Aetius blocks a jab.
Aetius connects with a solid leg kick.
Cross on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Aetius moves out of range of the strikes.
Good work by Cross as he checks the leg kick.
Cross throws a body punch but Aetius moves out of range.
Cross attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Aetius ducks under a wild hook from Cross.

Aetius shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cross's guard.
Aetius trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Aetius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aetius missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aetius trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Aetius working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aetius being controlled here momentarily.
Cross working a defensive guard here.
Aetius stopping the sweep attempt from Cross.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Aetius from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aetius is looking to chop away at Cross's legs.
Cross throws a looping overhand right but Aetius ducks down to avoid it.
Cross lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aetius at a distance.
Aetius throws a leg kick
and Cross counters with a solid body kick.
Aetius fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cross is out of range.
Cross tries a head kick but it misses.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Aetius checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Aetius motions for Cross to come forward. Aetius throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aetius has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aetius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Aetius keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cross.
Nice sprawl there from Cross as Aetius shoots in.
A solid leg kick lands there for Aetius.
Cross swings for the body but Aetius moves out of range.
David Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cross.
Cross lands a nice shot to the body.
Aetius fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cross.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.

Aetius scores a takedown into full mount!
Aetius trying to control but Cross is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is looking to get to half guard.

Aetius looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Cross tries to hold on but Aetius postures up.
Flavius Aetius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Aetius looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flavius Aetius 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 48:48
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 48:48
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
David Cross retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!