PBP Commentary

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

Cross
vs
Ferguson

170 cm
26
147 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

165 cm
29
128 lbs
20 - 19 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 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 20 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ferguson 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.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cross working a defensive guard but Ferguson passes into half guard.
Ferguson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Cross trying to control here.
Ferguson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ferguson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cross is looking to escape.
Cross tries to roll over but Ferguson keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson 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.

Ferguson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Cross to stand up.

Ferguson moves into the clinch.

Ferguson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ferguson manages to end up in side control.
Ferguson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cross tries to buck Ferguson off but Ferguson is having none of it.

Ferguson decides to stand back up. Ferguson steps back and let's Cross get back to his feet.

Ferguson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cross sprawls well initially but Ferguson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross tries to get to full guard but Ferguson has control of the leg.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Cross is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to roll over but Ferguson keeps him under control.
Ferguson blocks the strikes from Cross.

Ferguson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Cross to get to his feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ferguson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cross - the referee stops the clock and Ferguson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cross. Ferguson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ferguson tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ferguson to the ground. Ferguson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ferguson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants a takedown.

Ferguson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ferguson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross is trying to keep Ferguson in close.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Josh Ferguson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ferguson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Dean Cross has been cut.
Ferguson moves out of range as Cross throws a body kick.
Cross is looking to clinch but Ferguson is avoiding it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ferguson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ferguson manages to pull guard.
Cross has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ferguson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Cross shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ferguson defends it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Ferguson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dean Cross's cut.
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 shoots in and drives through. Ferguson sprawls well.
Cross gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ferguson counters with a solid body kick.

Ferguson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ferguson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Cross looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ferguson passes into half guard.
Ferguson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ferguson slips a nice elbow through Cross's hands, connecting with Cross's forehead.
Cross avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson works his foot free and advances to mount.

Ferguson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ferguson is landing with some decent strikes but Cross is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ferguson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Ferguson get's back to his feet.

Ferguson rushes Cross and presses him up against the cage.

Ferguson has Cross pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ferguson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cross tumbling to the mat - Ferguson dives into Cross's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cross throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ferguson uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cross is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cross is trying to control Ferguson's posture but Ferguson avoids it.
Cross takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Cross struggling a bit here.
Cross tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Ferguson presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ferguson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ferguson controlling from mount.
Ferguson trying to control but Cross is having none of it.
Cross wants to control but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson controlling his opponent.
Josh Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is in a horrible position here. Ferguson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ferguson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cross wants to hold on but Ferguson pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson manages to capitalize on a mistake by Cross to take his back!
Good control from Ferguson.

Ferguson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dean Cross's cut.
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 misses with a kick to the body
and Ferguson counters with a head kick that crumples his opponent - he's in a world of trouble! Ferguson looks at the referee who does nothing so Ferguson lands a crushing right that sends Cross to the floor! This time the ref steps in to end the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Josh Ferguson!
Josh Ferguson looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I new coming in he was gonna be tough. But tonight I was tougher. We need a flyweight division! Do it! Make it happen please. (16-14-1)'.