PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Iain Donovan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Donovan
vs
Cross

172 cm
21
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

174 cm
20
145 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

MMA nutrition

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, Iain Donovan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Cross!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donovan keeps the fight on the outside.
Cross swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Donovan moves into the clinch.
Cross prevents the takedown attempt.
Donovan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cross gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Cross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cross throws a head kick but Donovan moves out of range.
Donovan avoids the head kick by Cross.
Donovan is looking to counter punch.
We've been hearing reports that Donovan has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Donovan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cross lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Donovan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cross sprawls well initially but Donovan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Donovan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donovan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is trying to stand.
Cross really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Donovan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Donovan uses his free foot to push down on Cross's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cross.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Cross prevents Donovan from taking his back.
Cross gets back to half guard.
Cross is trying to stand back up but Donovan is controlling him
Donovan moves into full mount! Cross won't be happy about that!

Donovan is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Cross is surviving well by controlling Donovan's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Donovan working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Donovan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Cross manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Donovan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross prevents Donovan from moving into mount.
Cross is trying to get back to half guard.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet.

Donovan tries for a kimura but Cross is defending well.
Cross is trying to control Donovan's posture but Donovan avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to get back to his feet but Donovan drags him back down.
Donovan is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Cross will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Cross is trying to control Donovan's posture but Donovan avoids it.
Donovan tries to advance to mount but can't.

Donovan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cross, who protects the arm well.
Donovan advances to full mount.
Cross is desperately trying to improve his position but Donovan has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donovan working for a guillotine from mount but Cross is in no mood to give up.
Cross is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Donovan has taken his back.

Donovan is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cross is defending well though. Donovan let's go of the attempt for now.

Cross defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Cross fending off the submission attempt from Donovan.
Cross trying to get back to his feet but Donovan is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No luck with that takedown attempt from Donovan.
Donovan dodges the punch combination from Cross.
Cross fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Donovan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Donovan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cross.
Cross throws a sloppy head kick and Donovan moves out of range easily.
Donovan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Donovan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cross napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donovan is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Donovan asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Donovan working away.

Donovan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Donovan trying to control the position but Cross is working away.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Donovan has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Donovan has control of Cross's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Cross regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to hold on but Donovan postures up.
Cross is trying to stand.
Cross is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Donovan works his way to his opponent's back.
Donovan biding his time, controlling Cross.

Donovan is cranking Cross's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Cross! He's tightened the choke and Cross is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Iain Donovan!