PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cross comes to the cage accompanied by The American Dream Song. The crowd seem to be enjoying Esqueda's choice of entrance music: Cant del Barça. Gerard Esqueda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cross
vs
Esqueda

179 cm
32
168 lbs
28 - 10 - 2

179 cm
25
169 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Legion of Pain Nutrition

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 28 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Cross!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Esqueda takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Cross blocks the body kick.
Esqueda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cross lands a jab to Esqueda's midsection.
Esqueda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Esqueda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Esqueda finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cross tests Esqueda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Esqueda throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross connects with a single shot there.
Cross rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Esqueda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cross connects with a looping right hand.
A slow jab from Cross misses its intended target.
Esqueda feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cross's calf.
Cross avoids the head kick by Esqueda.
Esqueda scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Esqueda throws a lazy body kick
and Cross counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Esqueda throws a body kick that misses
and Cross counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gerard Esqueda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cross.
Cross is looking to slow Esqueda down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esqueda throws a push kick but Cross slaps the foot to one side.
Esqueda throws a hook but Cross avoids it easily.
Esqueda moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cross swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cross takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.
Cross connects with a solid leg kick.
Cross misses with a body shot
and Esqueda counters with a nice uppercut.
Cross misses with a hook to the body
and Esqueda counters with a big head kick but Cross shrugs it off.
Cross misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Esqueda doesn't seem bothered though.
Esqueda gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Cross counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cross lands with an overhand left.
Cross scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cross scores with a shot to the body.
Esqueda misses with a leg kick
and Cross counters with a low kick, right behind Esqueda 's knee.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.
Esqueda misses with the body kick
and Cross counters with a solid body kick.
Esqueda is looking to score with low kicks.
Esqueda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Esqueda misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cross has time to react.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cross scores with a shot to the body.
That kick from Esqueda tenderised Cross's leg. Cross is trying to keep his angry face on.
Esqueda fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cross on the side of the head.
Esqueda throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Esqueda.
Esqueda misses with a jab to the body
and Cross counters with a leg kick.
Esqueda scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Cross is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Esqueda.
Oh Cross is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Cross seems to have got his legs back now.
Cross tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Cross.
Esqueda throws the kick towards the body but Cross avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Cross will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cross thows a body shot but no joy.
Esqueda looks to score with a jab to the body but Cross is just out of range.
Cross swings for the body but Esqueda moves out of range.
Cross feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Esquedas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cross connects with a good right hand that stumbles Esqueda. Esqueda circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cross takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cross checks the leg kick nicely there.
Esqueda throws a low kick but Cross avoids it.
Cross misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esqueda.
Esqueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Cross misses with a straight right.
Cross lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Cross.
Esqueda is looking to land body kicks.
Cross checks a leg kick nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esqueda.
Cross keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Esqueda.
Esqueda lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cross's sensitive parts.
Cross fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Esqueda on the side of the head.
Cross has his takedown stuffed
and Esqueda counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Esqueda misses.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Cross sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Esqueda scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Esqueda misses with a wild combination.

Cross feints and as Esqueda raises his hands in defense, Cross changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esqueda keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross works over Esqueda with some ground and pound from guard.

Esqueda working for a triangle but Cross defends it easily.
Cross seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cross stands up over Esqueda, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esqueda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cross is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cross chips away with some ground and pound.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross is in close to Esqueda's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cross controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Esqueda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cross scores with a jab.
Esqueda walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cross checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cross throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cross lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cross misses with a body shot.
Cross jabs Esqueda right on the nose. Esqueda blinks but takes it well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cross.
Esqueda throws a leg kick
and Cross counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross throws a hook but Esqueda blocks it.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Cross.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Cross.
Esqueda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Esqueda drops his hands momentarily and Cross takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Esqueda throws a solid leg kick but Cross takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Esqueda.
Esqueda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cross works Esqueda's body with a nice hook.
Esqueda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cross under the eye.
Cross looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross blocks the body kick.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Good work by Cross as he checks the leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cross, right into the meat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice uppercut there from Cross.
Cross moves into range and connects with a jab.
Esqueda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cross throws a low kick but Esqueda moves out of range easily.
Esqueda's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cross scores with a nice head shot.
Esqueda has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Esqueda tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Esqueda misses
and Cross cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Esqueda throws a leg kick that misses.
Cross connects with a body shot.
Cross blocks a head kick by Esqueda.
Esqueda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Esqueda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cross scores with a nice strike.

Esqueda gets caught flat footed, as Cross shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Esqueda working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cross wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
Cross stopping the sweep attempt from Esqueda.
Cross with a nice head shot there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cross wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cross throws a lazy right hand but Esqueda sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Esqueda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Esqueda there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice shot by Esqueda.
Esqueda swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cross takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Cross fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Esqueda scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Esqueda throws the left hand but Cross avoids the punch easily.
Cross throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Cross checks a low kick from Esqueda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross lands a nice shot that snaps Esqueda's head back.
Good work by Cross as he checks the leg kick.
Cross avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Cross throws a hook but Esqueda blocks it.
Cross checks a low kick from Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Cross ducks down to avoid it.
Esqueda blocks a jab.
Esqueda throws a head kick that misses
and Cross makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cross thows a body kick. Esqueda tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Cross.
Cross keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Esqueda.
A slow jab from Cross misses its intended target.
Cross scoring well with a low kick there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cross is defended easily by Esqueda.
Esqueda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cross cracks Esqueda with an open hand slap.
Esqueda looks to score with a jab to the body but Cross is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda looks for the body kick but Cross saw that one coming.
Esqueda scores with a nice body kick.
Nice cross by Cross.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Esqueda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Esqueda.
Cross throws out a loose jab but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cross fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Esqueda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Esqueda misses with a kick to the body
and Cross counters with a nice low kick that buckles Esqueda's knee momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a right hand that misses
and Cross counters with a left to the body.
An inside leg kick from Esqueda misses.
Cross pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Esqueda thows a leg kick but Cross checks it
and Cross counters with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda loads up on a big right hand but Cross slips the punch.
Esqueda fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cross is out of range.
Cross just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Esqueda sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Esqueda throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cross scores with a jab to the head.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cross connects with a jab.
Esqueda wants to land a leg kick but Cross is out of range.
Esqueda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cross tries to avoid it but Esqueda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cross to the ground. Cross escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Esqueda 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.
Cross turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Cross thows a body shot but no joy.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.
Cross throws a one two combo.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Cross bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A cross from Esqueda lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Esqueda misses
letting Cross counter with a right hand.
Cross jabs at Esqueda's body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cross, as that shot connected.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.
Cross thows a body shot but no joy.
Esqueda misses with a body kick.
Cross lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Esqueda misses with a left hand
and Cross counters with a nice body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Esqueda throws a head kick that misses.
A big right from Esqueda misses.
Cross ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gerard Esqueda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
David Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Decent striking displayed by Cross there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross scores with the left hand. Esqueda knows he should have avoided that one.
Cross lands a slapping body shot.
Cross scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Esqueda throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross stuns Esqueda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Esqueda thows a body shot but no joy.
Cross looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice cross by Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a lazy uppercut
and Cross counters with a lovely shot to the body.
David Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Esqueda is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Esqueda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cross can pounce on him.
Cross paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Esqueda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross misses with an uppercut
and Esqueda counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a head kick that misses.
Esqueda looks to land a right hand but Cross moved out of range.
Esqueda misses with a body kick.
Cross jabs at Esqueda's body.
Esqueda throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Esqueda throws a hook but Cross avoids it easily.
Esqueda missing with a left hand there. Cross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esqueda manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross's jab looks to have found its range, popping Esqueda under the eye.
Esqueda thows a left - swing and a miss!

And that's the end of the fight!
David Cross showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cross has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Cross!
David Cross retains his lightweight title!
David Cross was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.