PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rene Croix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Austin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Croix comes to the cage accompanied by Edith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Croix
vs
Austin

170 cm
25
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

169 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rene Croix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Austin!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Austin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Croix to the ground. Austin is now in Croix's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Austin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Croix trying to keep a closed guard but Austin is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rene Croix just wasn't active enough.
Croix throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Austin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Austin showed some decent athleticism there.
Croix is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Croix is looking to control Austin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Croix avoid being mounted?
Austin stalling.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Frank Austin hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Croix - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Croix leaves Austin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Croix defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Austin.
Croix cracks a nice hook into Austin's ribs.
Croix delivers a nice body kick.
Croix connects with a high kick.
Croix shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Croix wants to clinch.
Austin takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rene Croix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Austin.
Austin shoots for a double leg takedown but Croix sprawls well. He's pushed Austin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Austin looks winded!
Croix lets loose with a powerful body kick. Austin will feel that in the morning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Croix turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Austin shoots in for a double leg but Croix sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Austin takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Croix throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Croix lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Croix.
Croix tries a head kick but it misses.
Croix throws a nice inside leg kick.

Croix takes the fight into the clinch.
Croix lands a right hand.
A short right from Croix.
Croix pressing his opponent against the cage.
Croix is trying to stall.
Croix scores with a nice hook to the head.
Austin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Still in the clinch, Croix scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Croix leaning his opponent against the cage.
Austin jumps guard but Croix turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A right hook to the body lands for Croix.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice elbow from Croix.
A nice right hand lands inside from Croix.
Croix lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Croix breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Croix lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Austin looks for a takedown but Croix sprawls well.
Croix scores with a head kick.

Austin is rocked!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick from Croix lands but Austin takes it in his stride.
Austin is still on wobbly legs! Can Croix finish him?

Austin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Croix wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Austin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Croix avoids it really well and circles away.
Austin seems to have recovered his senses.
Croix tries to close the distance and clinch up but Austin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Austin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Austin goes for a double leg but Croix avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Croix continues to drive forward.
Austin can't get the takedown.
Rene Croix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Austin.
Austin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Croix lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Austin backwards.
A short uppercut from Croix.
Austin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Croix is stalling here.
Croix prevents a takedown attempt there.
Croix lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Austin is breathing heavily.
Croix lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Croix trying to stall but Austin improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin letting Croix take a breather here.
Austin is pressed up against the cage. Croix has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Austin down to the mat. Austin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Croix throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Croix throws a head kick that misses.
Austin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Croix.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Croix.
Croix dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Austin. That did some damage!
Croix connects with a leg kick. Austin looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Austin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Croix's waist but Croix gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Austin off to one side.
Rene Croix is winning the standup battle so far.
Austin fails with the takedown.
Austin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Croix connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Austin shoots in but Croix avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Croix closes the distance and pushes Austin back into the cage.
A body shot lands from Croix.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Croix creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hand to the body from Croix.
A short left from Croix.
Croix lands a damaging elbow.
Austin takes an elbow to the temple.
Croix gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Croix manages to break the clinch.
Croix plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Croix closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Croix - that landed with a thud.
Croix gets underhooks to prevent Austin's takedown attempt.
Austin can't break the clinch.
Croix lands a damaging elbow.
Nice body punch from Croix - that landed with a thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Nice body punch from Croix - that landed with a thud.
Croix content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Croix scores with a shoulder strike.
Croix lands a shoulder strike.
Austin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Croix fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Croix lands a head kick!
Croix thuds his shin into the meat of Austin's side.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Croix. Austin shrugs it off though.
Austin keeps the fight on the outside.

Croix moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Croix lands with a short shot to the head.
Croix lands with a left to the head.
Croix is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Austin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Croix.
Croix tries a body shot but Austin blocks it.
Croix lands with a left to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Austin tries to circle away but Croix has him pinned against the cage.
Austin misses with an elbow over the top.
Croix scores with a shoulder strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Croix lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Croix is stalling here.
Austin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Croix walks away with a smile on his face. Austin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
That kick from Croix tenderised Austin's leg. Austin is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rene Croix dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Austin crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Croix - the referee stops the clock and Austin gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Croix. Austin manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Austin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Croix sprawls well. Croix wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Austin gets slowly back to his feet.
Croix lets loose with a powerful body kick. Austin will feel that in the morning.
Croix lands a nice hook to Austin's body. Austin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Austin looks for a takedown but Croix sprawls well.
Austin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Frank Austin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Croix throws a shot to the body.
Croix throws a head kick that Austin semi-blocks.
Croix lands a nice hook to Austin's body. Austin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Croix scores with a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Croix.
Austin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Croix connects with a body shot.
Croix lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Croix moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Croix pushes Austin away with a front kick.
Croix tries to clinch but Austin moves out of range.
Austin fails to land the takedown.
Rene Croix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Austin.
Croix throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Croix scores with a head kick. Austin tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Croix throws a head kick that half lands.
Austin sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Croix thuds his shin into the meat of Austin's side.
Croix lands a jab to Austin's midsection.
Austin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Austin.
Austin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Croix jabs Austin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Croix wants to clinch.
Austin darts in looking for a takedown but Croix gets double underhooks and turns Austin into the cage.
Austin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Austin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Croix avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Croix.
Croix dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Croix lands an elbow inside.
Austin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Croix walks away with a smile on his face. Austin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Croix scores with a push kick.
Croix moves in looking to clinch but Austin pushes him off.
Austin takes a kick to the side of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Croix.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Croix throws a combination. Austin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Croix scores with a head kick. Austin tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Austin blocks a head kick by Croix.
Horrible takedown by Austin or perhaps it was just good defense by Croix which made him look bad.
Croix lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Austin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Austin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Croix scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Austin doesn't seem bothered though.

Croix drives through and clinches with Austin against the cage.
Croix makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Croix scores with a nice hook to the head.
Croix lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Croix looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Austin blocking some punches.
Rene Croix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Austin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Croix walks away with a smile on his face. Austin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Croix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Austin can do to turn this around?
Croix wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt.
Croix lands a nice looking body kick.
Nice body kick there by Croix.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Croix lands a high kick!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Croix scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Croix tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Austin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Frank Austin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Austin takes a kick to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rene Croix showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Croix, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rene Croix!
A very excited looking Rene Croix made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.