PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between TJ Lavin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Lavin
vs
Cross

185 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
193 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, TJ Lavin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, David Cross!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lavin manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Cross.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Cross throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lavin's waist but Lavin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cross off to one side.
Cross jabbing away but nothing is landing.
David Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cross cracks a nice hook into Lavin's ribs.
Lavin missing with a left hand there. Cross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lavin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lavin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Lavin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cross throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavin scores with a sloppy right hand. Cross should have avoided that one.

Lavin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cross's half guard.
Cross is concentrating on defense, preventing Lavin from advancing position.
Cross really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lavin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cross regains full guard. Nicely done.

Lavin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cross dives on top into guard.
Lavin keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Cross got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lavin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cross has managed to get both his arms back between Lavin's legs - danger averted.

Lavin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cross defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavin keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

Lavin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cross is aware though and is defending well.
Cross is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lavin keeping full guard, as Cross tries to pass.
Cross throwing strikes from guard but Lavin blocks nicely.
Cross is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Lavin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cross is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Lavin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cross is aware though and is defending well.
Cross loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavin is retaining full guard.
Lavin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Lavin is looking for a triangle here but Cross uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Cross trying to control the position but Lavin is working away.

That's four 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.
Lavin tries to bench press Cross off him but Cross keeps the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cross takes a swing at Lavin's ribcage but misses.
Lavin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lavin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like TJ Lavin has been cut.
Cross throws a body punch but Lavin moves out of range.
Lavin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Lavin blocks a jab.
Cross misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lavin.
Cross misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lavin.
Cross misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but David Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on TJ Lavin's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lavin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cross.
Lavin slips a straight right by Cross.
Cross is looking to clinch.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lavin misses with a combination
letting Cross counter with a right hand.
Cross lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lavin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Cross throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavin swats away the attempt to clinch by Cross.
Cross looks to land a right hand but Lavin moved out of range.
Cross with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lavin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Cross is defending against the submission attempts here by Lavin.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Cross is looking to improve his position.
Cross holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Lavin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Lavin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cross has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cross is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lavin is working for a submission of some sort.
Cross is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lavin is thwarting Cross's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross has his hands clasped together around Lavin's back. He's all about the action.
Cross trying to control here.

Lavin is working for a submission of some sort.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cross lands with a hook. Lavin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.
A shot to the body from Cross misses

so Lavin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross has Lavin pulled in close to control his posture.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Lavin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lavin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cross not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lavin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cross is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lavin, into his guard.

Lavin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lavin isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Cross stacks Lavin on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Cross!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but David Cross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on TJ Lavin's cut.
That's time! Lavin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cross lands a with a good body shot.
Cross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Cross.
Cross punishes Lavin's body with a nice straight punch.
Cross swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cross thows a left - swing and a miss!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lavin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Lavin counters with a shoot takedown. Cross fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavin preventing the sweep.
Cross is trying to keep Lavin in close.

Lavin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cross is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cross looking for a sweep. Not yet Cross, not yet.
Cross not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lavin shoots in for a takedown but Cross shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cross scores with a jab to the head.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Lavin circles away.

Lavin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cross controls Lavin momentarily but Lavin frees himself.

Lavin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lavin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cross pulls Lavin in close to prevent any damage.

Lavin has gone for a leg lock! Cross slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lavin's guard.
Cross thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control but Lavin is working from the bottom.
Lavin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Lavin with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Cross keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cross gets back to half guard.
Cross has his hands clasped together around Lavin's back. He's all about the action.
Cross trying to control but Lavin postures up.

Despite being in the dominant position, David Cross just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cross takes a swing at Lavin's ribcage but misses.
Cross scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cross slips under a jab from Lavin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on TJ Lavin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cross defending well as Lavin loads up on a big left hand.
Nice jab there from Cross.
Lavin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cross tries to clinch but Lavin moves away
and Lavin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
David Cross seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Cross misses its intended target.
Cross misses the body punch

and Lavin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lavin advances position into side control!

Lavin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Lavin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lavin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lavin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cross is trying to get back to half guard.
Cross holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Cross is trying to control Lavin's posture but Lavin avoids it.

Lavin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cross is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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.
Cross holds on to Lavin's head and controls the position momentarily.
Cross tries to bench press Lavin off him but Lavin keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cross tries to get back to half guard but can't.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lavin slips a jab from Cross.
Lavin moves away from the strike by Cross.
Cross misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross loads up on a big right hand but Lavin slips the punch.
Cross stuffs the takedown.
Cross pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lavin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lavin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Lavin blocks a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Cross. That snapped Lavin's head back.
Lavin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lavin moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lavin blocks a jab.
Cross throws a hook but Lavin blocks it.
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lavin manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cross. Lavin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lavin moves away.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Lavin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lavin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Lavin had his way with David Cross in that round.
The cut man is working on TJ Lavin's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Lavin.
Nice defenses there by Lavin.
Cross throws a hook to the side of Lavin's head but Lavin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cross is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Cross.
Cross misses with a jab to the body

and Lavin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cross controlling Lavin's posture.

Lavin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lavin has gone for a leg lock! Cross slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lavin's guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cross is working Lavin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Lavin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cross is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lavin.
Cross in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Lavin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cross wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cross slows the pace down.
Cross fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Cross landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavin is looking for a sweep.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavin keeps working.
The ground and pound from Cross seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavin keeps working.
The strikes coming from Cross are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lavin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lavin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross content to stall in guard here.

Lavin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cross can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross chips away with some ground and pound.
Cross landing some decent shots from guard.

Lavin looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Cross passes into half guard.
Cross missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Lavin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cross pulls his head out easily.
Cross has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
David Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cross controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavin is squirming around, avoiding Cross's attempts to control the action.
Cross in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Lavin tries to reverse the position but Cross maintains control.
Lavin is squirming around, avoiding Cross's attempts to control the action.
Lavin regains half guard.
Cross trying to control the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to David Cross.
I think Cross 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Cross!
David Cross is the new middleweight champion!