PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kendall Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jayvon Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kendall Cross has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Cross
vs
Smith

166 cm
24
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

155 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Devotion Energy Inc (Laundry 9% Fee)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kendall Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jayvon Smith!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
We've been told by Cross's head coaches at HARRY'S that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Smith misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Cross wants to get back to his feet.
Cross is trying to escape the position but Smith is controlling the position.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cross manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Cross on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cross tries to get out of the position.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Cross is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith prevents Cross from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cross avoid being mounted?
Cross slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cross is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Smith stays in close to Cross's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents Cross from getting back to his feet.
Cross trying to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jayvon Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cross just misses with a punch to the body.
Cross looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Good work by Smith as he checks the leg kick.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cross counters with a single leg into guard. Smith didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Cross gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cross is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith prevents Cross from standing back up.
Cross is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smith stops Cross from getting back to his feet.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Smith controlling the action here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendall Cross dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A jab from Cross finds it's way through Smith's defenses.
Smith wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.

Smith instigates a clinch.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Cross scores with a jab to the body.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cross lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nice shot lands for Cross.
Cross misses with a double jab.
Cross connects with a right hand. Smith shakes it off.

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.
Cross is trying to keep Smith in close.
Cross looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.
We've been informed that Smith has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cross circles away quickly and effectively.
Cross throws a leg kick but Smith moved away.

Cross gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Cross wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
Smith wants to stand but Cross is controlling his posture from full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jayvon Smith.

Cross feints and as Smith raises his hands in defense, Cross changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cross showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jayvon Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cross fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cross throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cross scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cross throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Cross connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
Cross lands with a nice body punch.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cross counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cross was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cross moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Cross looking to control but instead Smith has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Cross not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kendall Cross.
An inside leg kick from Cross misses.
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cross on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Cross misses with a wild body shot.
Cross fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cross throws out a leg kick but Smith moves out of range and Cross only half commits.
Cross throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cross thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Smith there as he acknowledges the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cross. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cross is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Cross gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith won't allow Cross to sweep him here.
Smith with a nice head shot there.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Cross.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kendall Cross showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kendall Cross!
Kendall Cross decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.