PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dean Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Cross
vs
Dodson

170 cm
24
147 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

167 cm
29
130 lbs
9 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dodson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dodson is defended easily by Cross.

Dodson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Dodson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Dodson landing punches.
Dodson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cross is looking to escape.
Cross really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Dodson goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cross turns into him and now he's in Dodson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dodson pulls Cross in close to prevent any damage.
Dodson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Dodson was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Dodson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cross is trying to defend but Dodson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dodson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cross tries to get to full guard but Dodson has control of the leg.
Dodson is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dodson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. John Dodson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Dodson looks to land a combination. Cross sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cross tries to clinch up.

Cross gets tackled into the cage by Dodson. Dodson maintains the clinch.

Dodson jumps into guard, dragging Cross to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross wants to control from the top but Dodson keeps moving.
Cross tries to free his leg and advance position but Dodson is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dodson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cross!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to lock up and control but Dodson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Dodson wants to control but instead Cross manages to regain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dodson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross is looking to escape.
Dodson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Dodson stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Dodson blocks the leg kick.
Cross fails with the takedown

and Dodson counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cross is trying to get back to half guard.
Dodson passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Cross!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dodson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dodson controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dodson dominated that 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.

Dodson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dodson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cross moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Dodson gets a clinch.
Cross tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dodson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Dodson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dodson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Dodson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cross wants to get up but he can't break Dodson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dodson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Cross looking to pass the guard.
Dodson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

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

Dodson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dodson wants the takedown. Cross is fighting it off but Dodson persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cross's guard against the cage.
Dodson wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Dodson looking to sit in guard and control but Cross gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cross wants to pass the guard but Dodson is keeping the position.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Dodson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Dodson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross distracts Dodson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Dodson controlling the position.
Dodson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cross wants to pass the guard but Dodson is keeping the position.
Dodson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cross wants to get up but he can't break Dodson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cross wants to control from the top but Dodson keeps moving.
John Dodson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cross lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dodson pushes Cross off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Dodson wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dodson.
Cross misses with a leg kick

and Dodson counters by clinching up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dodson managing to block the knees to the body from Cross.

Dodson breaks from the clinch.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dodson as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Dodson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A low kick from Cross misses

and Dodson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cross is striking but Dodson is not phased and passes to half guard.
Cross is trying to stand.
Cross is not content to let Dodson control the position.

Dodson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cross tries to get to full guard but Dodson has control of the leg.
Dodson wants to control but Cross is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is looking for a sweep. Dodson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cross moves into full guard.

Dodson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cross, up you get!

Dodson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cross is trying to defend but Dodson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Dodson stands up and beckons Cross to join him on the feet.
Dodson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dodson moves into the clinch successfully.

Dodson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dodson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cross throws out the jab.
Cross tries to clinch up.

Dodson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cross tries to strike from the bottom.
Dodson advances to half guard.
Cross is looking to control Dodson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cross avoid being mounted?
Cross is not content to let Dodson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control here.
Dodson is pressing down on Cross's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cross is holding on for now.
Dodson prevents Cross from standing back up.
Dodson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cross is trying to maintain the position but Dodson is very close to passing his half guard.
Cross is refusing to be controlled, as Dodson sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dodson is working for a submission of some sort.
Dodson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Cross looking for subs from the bottom but Dodson mounts him!

And that's the end of the fight!
John Dodson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dodson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Dodson!
John Dodson took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.