PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gala Zar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cross has chosen The New Black by Every Time I Die as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zar
vs
Cross

200 cm
21
217 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

191 cm
21
210 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gala Zar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Cross!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cross darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zar wants to get back to full guard.

Cross is looking for a kimura here.
Cross with the ground and pound but Zar uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zar controls Cross momentarily but Cross frees himself.
Cross wants to pass the guard but Zar is keeping the position.
Cross throws a strike but Zar rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zar tries to stand but Cross is controlling from the bottom.
Cross working a defensive guard here.
Zar wants to stand but Cross has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cross bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zar's guard.
Cross thows a big elbow that misses.
Cross wants to pass the guard but Zar is keeping the position.
Cross is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Zar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cross looking to pass the guard.
Zar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cross.
Zar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cross.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zar leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cross tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zar swivels and escapes.
Zar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick misses from Zar.

Cross scores with a takedown into Zar's guard.
Cross looks gassed!
Cross wants to pass the guard but Zar is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a big right hand that misses.
Zar controlling Cross's posture.
Zar keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

Zar has his feet on Cross's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zar circles away.
Gala Zar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zar throws out a loose jab but Cross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cross looks to throw the jab but Zar is out of range.
Zar defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cross.
Cross keeps the fight on the outside.

Zar closes the distance and pushes Cross back into the cage.
Cross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Zar is fighting off a takedown attempt but Cross is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zar to the mat. Zar regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zar wants to stand and escape but Cross is having none of it.
Zar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cross drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zar dives on top into guard.
Zar wants to stand but Cross is controlling his posture from full guard.

Zar stands and steps away. Cross gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zar rushes Cross and presses him up against the cage.

Zar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Cross looks for a takedown but Zar sprawls well.
Zar throws a head kick that misses.
Cross fails with the takedown.
Gala Zar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Cross.
Zar tries a head kick but it misses.
Gala Zar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zar chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zar.
Zar lands a high kick!

It looks like David Cross has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zar doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zar swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zar wants to sweep but no luck.
Cross looking to pass the guard.
Cross works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cross is looking to take a break and control but Zar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zar regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cross.

Cross has gone for a leg lock! Zar slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cross's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zar trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cross's guard.
Cross has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cross wants to sweep but no luck.

Zar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cross has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zar has managed to get both his arms back between Cross's legs - danger averted.
Zar advances position into side control!
Zar throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Zar decides to stand back up.

Zar moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zar lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cross lands with a short shot to the head.
Zar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zar throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cross wants to break free but Zar has control.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Cross feints and as Zar raises his hands in defense, Cross changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cross tries to free his leg and advance position but Zar is retaining full guard.

Cross drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Cross as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Zar screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Cross! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). David Cross!