PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dudu Paraiba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wess Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Paraiba
vs
Cross

198 cm
31
273 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

200 cm
28
275 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Last 4 Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dudu Paraiba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wess Cross!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paraiba closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Paraiba passes to side control.
Cross tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cross really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Paraiba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cross can't do much from the bottom here.
Paraiba scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Cross to see if he's OK.
Cross tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Paraiba wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Paraiba staying calm.
Paraiba works to advance to full mount. Cross defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paraiba with good strikes from the mount here!

It looks like Wess Cross has been cut.
Cross is looking to improve his position but Paraiba isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paraiba moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Cross has worked his arm free - good work by Cross!
Paraiba advances to mount.
Paraiba controlling from the full mount.

Paraiba is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Cross has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Cross is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cross has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Paraiba is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Cross has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Paraiba slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Paraiba has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

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 Paraiba gets his way!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paraiba has his arm under Cross's chin here. Game over son! Paraiba squeezes tightly and Cross is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dudu Paraiba!
After winning the bout, Dudu Paraiba thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.