PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Conan Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Charcoal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conan Cross had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Cross
vs
Charcoal

174 cm
31
150 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

182 cm
34
155 lbs
26 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q

ONI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Conan Cross!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mr Charcoal!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Charcoal throws a front kick aimed at Cross's knee but Cross avoids it well.
Charcoal wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Charcoal keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mr Charcoal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Charcoal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cross throws a front kick aimed at Charcoal's knee but Charcoal avoids it well.
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Charcoal.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Charcoal.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Charcoal moves away.
Cross throws a body punch but Charcoal moves out of range.
Charcoal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Charcoal throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
Charcoal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cross throws a lazy body kick

and Charcoal counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cross's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Charcoal stays in close to Cross's body and controls the position.
Cross is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cross trying to keep a closed guard but Charcoal is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charcoal wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Cross seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Cross is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Charcoal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cross takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Cross drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cross trying to control the action but Charcoal is working from the bottom.
Charcoal dodges the ground and pound from Cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charcoal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cross throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Charcoal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Charcoal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Charcoal gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to control but Charcoal is keeping him busy.
Cross is really struggling to control Charcoal but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Cross is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Charcoal wants to control but Cross is keeping busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Charcoal manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Charcoal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charcoal keeping full guard, as Cross tries to pass.
Charcoal wants to sweep but no luck.
Cross is looking to work some ground and pound but Charcoal has wrist control.
Charcoal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Charcoal working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Charcoal dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Charcoal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cross's head.
Charcoal lands with a hook. Cross tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Charcoal with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Charcoal throws a jab but it's blocked by Cross.
Charcoal throws a looping overhand right but Cross ducks down to avoid it.
Charcoal tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Charcoal feints and then cracks Cross's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cross down.
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Charcoal.
A low kick from Charcoal misses

and Cross counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Charcoal.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Cross wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Charcoal has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Charcoal.
Cross lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Charcoal backwards.
Charcoal is trying to break the clinch but Cross is controlling him.
Charcoal throws a punch but it's blocked by Cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross presses Charcoal against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cross misses with a short punch on the inside.

Charcoal breaks from the clinch.
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Charcoal.
Cross misses with a low kick.
Cross waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Charcoal.
A big left from Cross misses.

Cross closes the distance and clinches.
Cross doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cross pushes Charcoal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cross tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cross misses with a punch to the body.
Cross misses with a punch to the body.
Charcoal lands with a short shot to the head.
Charcoal tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cross's elbow.
Charcoal scores with a nice hook to the head.
Charcoal working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Charcoal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Charcoal breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Charcoal blocks the low kick.
Charcoal ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Charcoal tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Charcoal tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Cross jabs Charcoal right on the nose. Charcoal blinks but takes it well.
Charcoal throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Charcoal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Charcoal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cross avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charcoal misses with a low kick.
Charcoal throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Conan Cross has been cut.
Charcoal throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
Cross throws a looping overhand right but Charcoal ducks down to avoid it.
Charcoal throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cross connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Charcoal throws out the jab.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Charcoal.
Mr Charcoal seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross feints and then cracks Charcoal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Charcoal down.
Charcoal throws a looping overhand right but Cross ducks down to avoid it.
Cross rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Charcoal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Charcoal throws the kick towards the body but Cross avoids it.
The fighters circling - Charcoal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Charcoal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Charcoal looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cross ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cross lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cross tries to clinch but Charcoal moves out of range.
Charcoal looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Charcoal, right into the meat.
Charcoal throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cross thuds a left hand into Charcoal's body.
A swing and a miss from Charcoal.
Nice cross by Charcoal.
Cross scores with a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charcoal moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Charcoal lands with a good body shot.

Cross moves into the clinch successfully.
Charcoal throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Crosss head.
Cross tries to throw a body punch but Charcoal avoids it by throwing Cross back against the cage.
Charcoal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Charcoal pushes Cross back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cross blocking some punches.
Charcoal throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cross.
Cross tries a body shot but Charcoal blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cross.
Charcoal blocks an uppercut.
Charcoal working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cross swings wildly with an uppercut but Charcoal uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cross can't find room to land a body shot as Charcoal controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Charcoal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Charcoal looks to throw the jab but Cross is out of range.
Cross uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cross misses with a body shot.
Cross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Charcoal lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cross at a distance.
Charcoal throws a front kick aimed at Cross's knee but Cross avoids it well.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Charcoal.
Cross avoids the body shot from Charcoal.
Cross thows a left - swing and a miss!
An inside leg kick from Cross misses.
Charcoal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Charcoal bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Cross slips under a jab.
Charcoal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Charcoal moves out of range of the body kick from Cross.
The fighters circling - Charcoal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Good leg kick by Charcoal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cross connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Charcoal's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross takes a swing at Charcoal's ribcage but misses.
Charcoal lands the left hand.
Charcoal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Charcoal misses the shot to the body.
Cross shoots in but Charcoal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Charcoal rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Cross moves into the clinch.
Charcoal throws a punch but it's blocked by Cross.
Charcoal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Charcoal taking a breather.
Cross tries to work over Charcoal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cross tries a body shot but Charcoal blocks it.
Cross misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Charcoal.
Charcoal stalling in the clinch but Cross improves position.
Charcoal blocks an uppercut.
Charcoal pushes Cross back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Come on Charcoal - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cross misses with a punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Charcoal misses with the head strike.
Charcoal pressing his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Charcoal scores with a nice short uppercut.
Charcoal throws a head punch that misses.
Cross tries to work over Charcoal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Charcoal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Charcoal presses Cross against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Mr Charcoal seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cross can't find room to land a body shot as Charcoal controls the action.

Charcoal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slow jab from Charcoal misses its intended target.
Charcoal cracks Cross with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charcoal uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Cross.
Charcoal scores with the left hand. Cross knows he should have avoided that one.
Cross moves out of range of the strikes.
Cross tries to land a body kick
and Charcoal counters with a nice leg kick.
Charcoal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Cross fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Charcoal is out of range.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
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 Charcoal has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Charcoal and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nice defenses there by Cross.
Charcoal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cross's calf.
Cross slips under a jab from Charcoal.
Cross lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Cross forces Charcoal back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cross.
Charcoal lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Cross has a couple of punches blocked by Charcoal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a body punch.
Charcoal manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Charcoal throws a punch but it's blocked by Cross.
Cross prevents Charcoal from breaking the clinch.
Charcoal prevents a body shot from Cross.
Charcoal lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Charcoal looks to land a right hand but Cross moved out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Charcoal, as that shot connected.
Cross defending well as Charcoal loads up on a big left hand.
Cross has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Charcoal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Both fighters circling a little - Cross finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Cross uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Charcoal.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cross tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Charcoal was well out of range. Poor timing from Cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Charcoal really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cross shoots in and drives through. Charcoal sprawls well.
Charcoal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Charcoal.
Charcoal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Charcoal fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Charcoal lands the left hand.
Cross closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Charcoal throws out a loose jab but Cross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Charcoal gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cross.
Charcoal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A leg kick checked by Charcoal.
Cross bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A good leg kick by Charcoal.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross moves out of range as Charcoal strikes.
Cross is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Charcoal lands a really nice looking cross but Cross seems unphased.
Cross throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Charcoal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Charcoal throws a jab when Cross was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A slow jab from Charcoal misses its intended target.
Charcoal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cross throws out the jab.
Cross scores with a jab to the body.
Crunch! Cross slams his shin into Charcoal's torso.
Cross lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Charcoal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cross.
A jab from Charcoal misses.
Charcoal takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cross misses with a body shot.
Cross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Charcoal.
Charcoal takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Charcoal connects with a looping right hand.
Charcoal lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Charcoal shoots in and drives through. Cross sprawls well.
Cross with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charcoal fails with a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross tries to clinch there but Charcoal circles away.
Good shot there by Cross.
Cross looks to land a right hand but Charcoal moved out of range.
A left lands for Charcoal.
Cross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Charcoal.
Cross lands a right hook to the body.
Charcoal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Charcoal bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Charcoal scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Charcoal.
Charcoal scores with a body shot.
Charcoal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws out a powerful jab.

Cross closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Charcoal's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross is pushing down on Charcoal's leg trying to pass to half guard. Charcoal is fighting to maintain full guard but Cross has managed to sneak the leg through.
Cross is looking to take a break and control but Charcoal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Charcoal trying to control but Cross postures up.
Cross wants to take a breather but Charcoal is having none of it.
Cross wants to pass to mount but Charcoal is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Charcoal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Charcoal wants to control but Cross is keeping busy.

We're going to have a standup here because Conan Cross wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Cross drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Charcoal keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Cross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Charcoal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Charcoal can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cross controls the pace.
Cross trying to control but Charcoal is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Conan Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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 throws a lazy right hand but Charcoal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Charcoal throws out a loose jab but Cross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cross throws a quick inside leg kick.
Charcoal lands a nice hook to Cross's body. Cross takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice shot by Charcoal.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Charcoal 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 Cross has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cross and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Cross tries to clinch up.
Charcoal throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Cross counters by moving into the clinch.
Charcoal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Charcoal lands with a right to the head.
Cross lands a body punch.
Charcoal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cross tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Charcoal's elbow.
Cross misses with some punches.

Charcoal manages to break the clinch.
Charcoal lands with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charcoal throws a leg kick but Cross sees it coming and moves out of range.
Charcoal is looking to slow Cross down with leg kicks.
Cross tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Charcoal wants to land a leg kick but Cross is out of range.
Charcoal connects with a solid leg kick.
Charcoal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Charcoal throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cross.
Cross closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Charcoal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Charcoal has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Charcoal there as he acknowledges the shot.
Charcoal digs a good hook to Cross's body.
Cross throws a lazy right hand but Charcoal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Charcoal lands a jab to Cross's midsection.
A left lands for Charcoal.
Conan Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
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!
Charcoal ducks under a wild hook from Cross.
Cross missing with a left hand there. Charcoal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Charcoal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cross checks a leg kick.
Cross fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Charcoal checks it well.
Charcoal misses with an uppercut. Cross saw that one coming.
Charcoal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cross attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cross tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Charcoal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cross doesn't seem bothered though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cross.
A jab from Charcoal finds it's way through Cross's defenses.
Cross takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Cross just misses with a punch to the body.
Charcoal scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cross.
Cross slips a jab from Charcoal.
Charcoal takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Jab, jab by Cross - just one landing.
Charcoal lands a head shot.
Charcoal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cross moves out of range as Charcoal strikes.

Cross darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Charcoal is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cross missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Charcoal is looking to control Cross's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Charcoal avoid being mounted?
Charcoal is holding on to half guard well.
Charcoal trying to get back to full guard but Cross takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Charcoal wants to hold on but Cross pushes him away.
Mr Charcoal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Cross jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Charcoal is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Charcoal and Cross has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Charcoal manages to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Charcoal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Charcoal 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Charcoal!
Mr Charcoal is the new lightweight champion!
Mr Charcoal made sure to mention his sponsor, ONI in his post fight interview.