PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rudolph McKenzie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Rudolph McKenzie has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rudolph McKenzie seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

McKenzie
vs
Cross

201 cm
25
295 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rudolph McKenzie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marco Cross!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from McKenzie. Those never looked like landing.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but McKenzie shows good takedown defense.
A combination from McKenzie does no damage.
McKenzie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Cross as McKenzie shoots in.
Cross dodges the punch combination from McKenzie.
McKenzie tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudolph McKenzie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McKenzie moves in looking to clinch but Cross pushes him off.
McKenzie just misses with a punch to the body.
Cross displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McKenzie.

McKenzie clinches up against the cage.
McKenzie definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cross is trying to drag McKenzie to the mat but McKenzie just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross tries for a takedown but McKenzie manages to get underhooks.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Cross has eaten all the pies!
McKenzie scores with a shoulder strike.
Cross tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cross letting McKenzie take a breather here.
McKenzie misses with some punches.

McKenzie turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and McKenzie manages to end up in side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McKenzie is trying to ground and pound but Cross uses the momentary lack of control by McKenzie to regain half guard.
McKenzie looks to land a strike but Cross avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cross is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross postures up in McKenzie's guard and throws a big left but McKenzie blocks it.
Cross looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cross accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cross won't allow McKenzie to sweep him here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross being controlled here momentarily.
McKenzie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McKenzie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but McKenzie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cross accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McKenzie working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rudolph McKenzie wasn't doing enough on the ground.
McKenzie fails with an attempt to clinch.
McKenzie lands a right hook to the body.

McKenzie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cross looks winded!
McKenzie's corner is telling him to maintain position.
McKenzie won't allow Cross to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McKenzie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross has a closed guard, preventing McKenzie from standing up.
McKenzie distracts Cross with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McKenzie throws a big right hand that misses.
Cross keeping moving, preventing McKenzie from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rudolph McKenzie dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McKenzie scores with a takedown into Cross's guard.
McKenzie is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McKenzie trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
McKenzie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McKenzie is looking to work some ground and pound but Cross has wrist control.

McKenzie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cross is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cross has escaped and now he's on top!
Cross postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross throws a big right hand that misses.
McKenzie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cross is one step ahead there.
Rudolph McKenzie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McKenzie controlling the position.
McKenzie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McKenzie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

McKenzie has an active guard here but Cross has managed to pass into half guard.
McKenzie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross working the head and body with strikes.
Cross throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McKenzie trying to control but Cross postures up.
Cross is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cross thows a huge punch but McKenzie dodges it nicely.
McKenzie on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McKenzie tries to get out of the position.
Cross not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McKenzie is trying to control but can't.
McKenzie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McKenzie is staying active underneath Cross, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McKenzie desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McKenzie's head.
Cross not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McKenzie is looking to control Cross's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McKenzie avoid being mounted?
Cross not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McKenzie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cross.
McKenzie tries to get to full guard but Cross has control of the leg.
Cross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McKenzie is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cross with the ground and pound but McKenzie uses the opportunity to regain guard.
McKenzie managing to control the position.
Cross distracts McKenzie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McKenzie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McKenzie knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cross on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cross chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Marco Cross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
McKenzie moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Marco Cross has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Cross. No joy for McKenzie on that attempt.
McKenzie tries to clinch up.
Rudolph McKenzie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cross shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McKenzie taking some punishment here, with Cross in his half guard.
Cross has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cross thows a huge punch but McKenzie dodges it nicely.
Cross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cross.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McKenzie wants to get back to his feet.
McKenzie tries to roll over but Cross keeps him under control.
Cross working McKenzie over with strikes.
Cross missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cross lands strikes from half guard.
Cross takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cross connects with a nice short shot to McKenzie's temple.
McKenzie wants to improve his position but Cross is controlling well.
McKenzie is not content to let Cross control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McKenzie defending well though.
Cross takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cross throwing shots but McKenzie is blocking nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McKenzie taking some punishment here, with Cross in his half guard.
McKenzie has hold of Cross's hands but Cross slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cross takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cross is trying to control. McKenzie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cross throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cross trying to control from half guard but McKenzie is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie wants to get back to full guard.
Cross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McKenzie is positioning himself well to prevent Cross advancing to mount.
McKenzie taking some punishment here, with Cross in his half guard.
McKenzie has hold of Cross's hands but Cross slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McKenzie is looking to control Cross's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McKenzie avoid being mounted?
Cross not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cross not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie has hold of Cross's hands but Cross slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cross winds up and cracks McKenzie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cross lands a nice short elbow.
Cross drops an elbow to the side of McKenzie's head.
Cross with the ground and pound but McKenzie uses the opportunity to regain guard.
McKenzie keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
McKenzie managing to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Cross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Cross!