PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Austin Worner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Worner
vs
Cross

170 cm
25
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
147 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Austin Worner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Cross!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Worner has his takedown stuffed
and Cross counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Cross fails with the takedown
and Worner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Worner dives in and grabs Cross's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cross pushes down on Worner's head and hops out.
Cross throws a head kick but Worner moves out of range.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Worner in a clinch.
Cross is trying to break free.
Cross tries to break free but Worner pushes him back against the cage.

Worner drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Cross wants to control from the top but Worner keeps moving.
Cross trying to stand up but can't free himself from Worner's guard.
Worner trying to keep a closed guard but Cross is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cross is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Cross trying to control but Worner is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Worner pushes him off.
Worner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cross will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Austin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Cross.
Cross is looking to clinch but Worner is avoiding it.
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Worner but Worner pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worner drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cross parries the strikes from Worner easily there. Worner is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cross to escape.
Cross manages to work his way to half guard, despite Worner's best efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Worner with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Worner is keen to just control but Cross is a slippery customer.
Cross really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Worner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Worner trying to mount his opponent but Cross defends it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Worner not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner trying to control the action but Cross is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Austin Worner wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Cross drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Worner lands a decent punch to the body there.
Worner lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cross!
Cross is looking to improve his position but Worner isn't that keen on the idea.
Cross is squirming around, avoiding Worner's attempts to control the action.
Worner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cross is in a horrible position here. Worner smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Worner is trying to take his opponent's back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cross shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Worner counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cross's guard now.
Worner trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Worner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Worner from controlling successfully.
Worner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Worner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Worner trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Austin Worner just wasn't active enough.
Worner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner stuffs the takedown.
Austin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Cross.
Cross tries a head kick but it misses.
Worner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cross counters by moving into the clinch.

Cross decides to pull guard.
Worner trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Worner wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross controls Worner momentarily but Worner frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Cross is working an open guard so Worner takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cross doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Worner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Worner.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Worner stopping the sweep attempt from Cross.
Worner working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Worner throws an elbow but Cross slips to the side and avoids it well.
Austin Worner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cross wants to get back to his feet but Worner drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Worner trying to control the position but Cross is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Worner stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Worner scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Worner trying to control the position but Cross is working away.
Worner is really struggling to control Cross but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cross is looking for a sweep.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner trying to control the position but Cross is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Worner dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cross shoots for a takedown but Worner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cross slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cross is defended easily by Worner.
Worner tries to clinch but Cross moves out of range.
Cross fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Austin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Cross.

Worner closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cross has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Worner is working away from the top position though.
Worner is taking a breather. Cross says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner trying to control from half guard but Cross is working away.
Cross trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Worner manages to pass to mount!
Worner trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cross tries to lock up and control but Worner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cross is squirming around, avoiding Worner's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cross is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Worner wants to finish this one by submission but Cross is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Worner.
Cross regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner trying to control from half guard but Cross is working away.
Cross looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cross tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Worner is looking for a kimura here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Worner working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Cross's thigh. Cross counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Worner lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cross trying to control the position.
Cross keeping full guard, as Worner tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Worner trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Worner clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cross tries to clinch up but Worner circles away and keeps his distance.

Worner shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Worner moves into full mount! Cross won't be happy about that!
Worner lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Worner tries to control but Cross wriggling away.
Worner scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cross?
Worner landing shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross gets back to half guard.
Worner is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cross is trying to maintain the position but Worner is very close to passing his half guard.
Cross avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Worner.
Worner is pressing down on Cross's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cross is holding on for now.
Cross pushes Worner off looking to stand but Worner dives back in and keeps control.
Cross has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Worner is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worner decides to stand and escape the position.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross throws a lazy right hand but Worner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Worner is looking to clinch.
Worner has a takedown stuffed.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Worner.
Cross tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Worner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Worner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Worner wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Worner keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cross's efforts to push away.
Worner jumps guard but Cross turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Austin Worner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross wants to get back to striking at distance but Worner won't allow it.

Cross ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cross no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Cross looking to hit a scissor sweep but Worner is one step ahead there.
Cross is looking to sweep but instead, Worner has passed into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Worner looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Worner trying to control from half guard but Cross is working away.
Worner performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross is in trouble now - Worner has advanced to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Worner had his way with Dean Cross in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Worner tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Worner to the ground. Worner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Worner looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Cross!
Cross is bucking up trying to escape but Worner cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Worner controlling the pace for now.

Worner working for a guillotine from mount but Cross is in no mood to give up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Cross can't escape the position.
Worner can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cross is looking to escape.
Worner blocks Cross's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Cross tries to reverse the position but Worner maintains control.
Cross slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worner wants to control but Cross is keeping him busy.
Cross blocking the ground and pound attempt from Worner.
Cross tries to get to full guard but Worner has control of the leg.
Worner is trying to control the action in half guard but Cross is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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

Worner decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Worner.
Cross shoots for a takedown but Worner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Austin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dean Cross.
Worner tries to clinch but Cross is having none of it.

Cross gets the takedown into side control.
Worner wants to control but Cross postures up.
Cross is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Cross tries to stand but Worner is controlling his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worner is looking to reverse the position.
Worner struggling a bit here.
Worner is trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Worner is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Cross asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dean Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Austin Worner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cross misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Austin Worner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Worner, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Austin Worner!
Austin Worner retains his featherweight title!