PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rhino Cross (ranked 5392 p4p, 5343 weight class) and Pretorian Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rhino Cross has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cross
vs
Saunders

190 cm
18
265
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
265
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rhino Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pretorian Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saunders moves into the clinch.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saunders misses with the combination.
Pretorian Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Pretorian Saunders has been cut.

Cross has Saunders up against the cage in a clinch.
Saunders blocks an uppercut.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Cross working aggressively here.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Cross tries to circle away but Saunders has him pinned against the cage.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.

Cross breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Saunders in a clinch.
Cross pushes Saunders back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Cross is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Saunders looks winded!
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cross keeps the fight on the outside.

Cross rushes Saunders and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Saunders drives through and clinches with Cross against the cage.
Cross with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cross with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cross misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cross looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saunders has Cross pressed against the cage, preventing Cross from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Cross tries to work over Saunders's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cross tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Saunders manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cross swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cross is looking to clinch.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Cross gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Cross using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saunders has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.
Saunders landing knees to the body.
Saunders keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cross's efforts to push away.
Cross tries to circle away but Saunders has him pinned against the cage.
Saunders looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Cross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cross looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cross wants to clinch up but Saunders keeps it at a distance.
Cross tries to clinch up.
Saunders avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Saunders forces Cross back against the cage and clinches.
Cross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cross working aggressively here.
A short right from Cross on the inside.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Cross clinches.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Saunders moves into the clinch.
Cross wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saunders has him pressed against the cage.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cross is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Cross wants to get back to striking at distance but Saunders won't allow it.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.
Cross with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Saunders tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saunders prevents Cross from breaking the clinch.
Cross misses with some punches.
Saunders blocks an uppercut.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Cross working hard to break the clinch.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Cross is trying to break the clinch but Saunders is controlling him.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cross misses with the head strike.
Saunders blocks an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rhino Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pretorian Saunders's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cross throws a hook but Saunders blocks it.

Saunders closes the distance and pushes Cross back into the cage.
Cross tries a knee to the head but Saunders blocks it.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Cross is trying to break free.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Cross has a couple of punches blocked by Saunders.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cross tries to clinch up but Saunders circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.
Saunders throws a counter combo.

Saunders has closed the distance and engaged Cross in a clinch.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Cross tries to clinch there but Saunders circles away.
Saunders is breathing heavily.
Saunders lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Saunders pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders moves into the clinch successfully.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Pretorian Saunders seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saunders pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saunders misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cross could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saunders swats away the attempt to clinch by Cross.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.
Cross is looking to clinch but Saunders is avoiding it.
Rhino Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Saunders uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch on the inside from Cross fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross can't break the clinch.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross tries to clinch but Saunders is having none of it.

Saunders forces Cross back against the cage and clinches.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Cross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rhino Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Saunders moves into range and clinches up with Cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saunders avoids a wild elbow strike from Cross.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Saunders looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Saunders moves into the clinch.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross wants to clinch up but Saunders keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Saunders pushes him off.

Saunders clinches up with Cross and pushes him back against the cage.
Cross stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cross misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cross closes the distance and pushes Saunders back into the cage.
Cross swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cross tries to circle away but Saunders has him pinned against the cage.
Saunders blocks a body shot from Cross.
Cross is trying to push Saunders away but Saunders has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cross fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A shot in the inside from Cross.
Cross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross missing with knees to the body.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross tries to clinch but Saunders moves out of range.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Saunders swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cross wants to clinch.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A punch combination from Saunders misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Cross blocks the body kick.
Cross swinging wildly here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pretorian Saunders showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pretorian Saunders's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cross tries to clinch but Saunders is having none of it.

Saunders rushes Cross and presses him up against the cage.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.
Saunders moves in looking to clinch but Cross pushes him off.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saunders moves in looking to clinch but Cross pushes him off.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Saunders swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saunders lands a two punch combo.

Saunders pushes Cross up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders is looking to land body kicks.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.

Saunders fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the cage.
Saunders managing to block the knees to the body from Cross.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saunders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cross tries to clinch but Saunders moves out of range.

Saunders forces Cross back against the cage and clinches.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cross avoids it.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross throws a series of punches but Saunders avoids them all with ease.
Cross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Cross tries to keep at a distance but Saunders has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saunders avoids a wild elbow strike from Cross.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Cross looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Saunders swats away the attempt to clinch by Cross.

Saunders has Cross up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saunders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Saunders forces Cross back against the cage and clinches.
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 on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cross misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saunders.
A frustrated look appears on Cross's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Saunders is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Cross has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cross gets through Saunders's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Cross tries to land knees in the clinch but Saunders avoids the damage to the body.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Cross misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Saunders blocking some punches.
Cross is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Saunders tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Cross, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cross moves out of range of the body kick from Saunders.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.

Saunders instigates a clinch.
Cross is looking to break free of the clinch but Saunders has double underhooks.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saunders lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Saunders throws a push kick but Cross slaps the foot to one side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Saunders rushes Cross and presses him up against the cage.
Saunders tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Cross avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Cross is looking to break free of the clinch but Saunders has double underhooks.
Cross misses with a punch to the body.
Cross blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cross swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cross's efforts to push away.
Cross is trying to break the clinch but Saunders is controlling him.
Cross misses with a body punch.
Cross missing with knees to the body.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Saunders fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knees to the body from Saunders.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pretorian Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saunders 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pretorian Saunders!