PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Lasher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Lasher will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Cross
vs
Lasher

167 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Malcolm Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Lasher!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Lasher. Lasher gets slowly back to his feet.
Lasher just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromCross.
Nice cross by Lasher.

It looks like Malcolm Cross has been cut.
Cross wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lasher looks to land a combination. Cross sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lasher counters with a straight right hand.
Cross tries to land a front kick but Lasher steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lasher lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lasher keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lasher is defended easily by Cross.
Nice takedown defense from Lasher. No joy for Cross on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross shoots in and drives through. Lasher sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malcolm Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lasher lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lasher looks to land a combination but Cross avoids it well.
Lasher looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lasher misses with a takedown
and Cross counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Lasher lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses with a takedown
and Lasher counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cross really is a fat lump.
Cross takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lasher steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cross.
Cross avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cross thinks about countering with a head kick.
Lasher tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Cross dodges the punch combination from Lasher.
Cross appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Lasher misses.
Lasher throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lasher looks winded!
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lasher circles away.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lasher doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lasher tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Lasher. Lasher gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross half committed to a counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Lasher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Malcolm Cross's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cross throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lasher's head.
An inside leg kick lands from Cross.
Eric Lasher seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lasher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cross is looking to clinch but Lasher is avoiding it.
Lasher throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cross counters with a big head kick but Lasher shrugs it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lasher counters with a three punch combo that has Cross backing up. Cross nods at Lasher to acknowledge the strikes.
Lasher throws a nice looking combination but Cross bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lasher tries to bum rush Cross with a series of wild strikes but Cross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A left and a right from Lasher both land. Nice combination.
Lasher is breathing heavily.
Cross throws a leg kick but Lasher sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lasher misses with a two punch combination.
Eric Lasher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lasher swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lasher tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Eric Lasher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasher displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cross.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Lasher in a clinch.
Cross holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cross stalling the fight.
Lasher is trying to pull guard but Cross turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Cross to work.
Cross slowing the pace effectively.
Cross is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Malcolm Cross.
Lasher misses with a double jab.
Cross drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lasher sprawls and moves away.

Cross is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lasher's half guard.

Lasher kicks off Cross and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cross has Lasher pushed against the cage.
Lasher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cross smiles and moves away.
Malcolm Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Lasher.
Lasher goes for a double leg but Cross avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cross continues to drive forward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown but Lasher manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cross's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross goes for a double leg but Lasher avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lasher continues to drive forward.
Lasher with the counter takedown but Cross avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Lasher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Malcolm Cross's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lasher lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cross circles away quickly and effectively.
Cross moves to clinch but Lasher breaks away
enabling Lasher to counter with a crisp jab.
Cross throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lasher.
Jab by Lasher.
Cross takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lasher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lasher has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
No luck for Lasher with that takedown attempt.
Cross lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Lasher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasher connects with a single shot there.
Cross is looking to score with low kicks.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice sprawl there from Cross as Lasher shoots in.
Cross tries to clinch but Lasher is having none of it.
Lasher is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cross or perhaps it was just good defense by Lasher, which made it look bad.
Lasher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cross as he jumps to the side.
Malcolm Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Lasher.
Cross needs to keep his hands up - Lasher had a free shot at his head there.
Lasher misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lasher will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasher lands with a nice combination. Cross backs away looking to recover.
Cross tries to clinch but Lasher moves out of range.
Cross showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lasher.
Lasher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cross dives in and grabs Lasher's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lasher pushes down on Cross's head and hops out.
Eric Lasher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Lasher sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cross sets himself, and Lasher steps forward looking for the clinch! Cross avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lasher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Lasher moves into range and clinches up with Cross.
Cross misses with some punches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cross takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cross leaning against his opponent.
Cross gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Lasher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lasher winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Lasher!