PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josh Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dean Cross has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ferguson
vs
Cross

165 cm
31
128 lbs
24 - 25 - 1

170 cm
27
147 lbs
5 - 14 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 24 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Cross!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross misses the shot to the body.

Ferguson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cross quickly recovers to half guard.
Cross is trying to get back to full guard.
Cross is looking to control Ferguson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cross avoid being mounted?
Ferguson controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ferguson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Ferguson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ferguson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is looking to improve his position.
Ferguson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ferguson controlling the position easily from mount.
Ferguson lands a couple of good shots and Cross has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Ferguson lands strikes to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Cross has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Ferguson biding his time, looking for the opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ferguson has the hooks in. Cross is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Ferguson lands a shot to the head.
Ferguson wants to control but Cross is keeping busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ferguson looking to break Cross's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Cross remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ferguson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Cross is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Cross doesn't escape.
Cross trying to control the action but Ferguson just sinks the hooks in.
Ferguson is looking to control Cross but Cross is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet but Ferguson has full control of the position and if anything, Cross has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Cross is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ferguson gets his way!
Ferguson is trying to stick to Cross's back but Cross is turning into Ferguson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ferguson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Cross.
Cross must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ferguson controls Cross momentarily but Cross frees himself.
Cross pushes down on Ferguson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Ferguson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ferguson looks to land a combination. Cross sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Dean Cross has been cut.
Cross missing with a left hand there. Ferguson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cross gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
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 0:19 of round 2, 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)'.