PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tone Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and keith steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). steele is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by "Can't Be Touched". Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as keith steele enters the cage!

Cross
vs
steele

195 cm
27
288 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

199 cm
24
275 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tone Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, keith steele!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts steele as he jumps to the side.
steele throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cross's waist but Cross gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing steele off to one side.
steele missing with a left hand there. Cross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
steele misses with a takedown

and Cross counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cross trying to control but steele is working from the bottom.
Cross has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
steele lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
steele controls Cross momentarily but Cross frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross trying to control but steele is working from the bottom.
Cross sitting in guard here, content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tone Cross just wasn't active enough.

Cross scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Cross thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cross has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
steele defending against the ground and pound.
steele is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cross's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Cross is looking to advance position but steele won't allow it.
steele is not content to let Cross control the position.
steele has his hands clasped together around Cross's back. He's all about the action.

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 is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cross seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but steele does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
steele wants to control but Cross is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cross seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but steele does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
steele is looking to control Cross's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can steele avoid being mounted?

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Cross steps into range and cracks steele with a monster punch that buckles his knees! steele flops backwards and Cross dives into his guard looking to finish!

It looks like keith steele has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to control but steele is working from the bottom.
steele manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cross is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cross is working hard here to advance position.
steele thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Cross is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
steele avoids the attempt from Cross to control.
Cross is desperately trying to improve his position but steele has a good base and remains in mount.
steele lands with some strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross is working to get back to half guard.
Cross bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cross shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cross throws a series of punches but steele moves out of range.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body but steele moves away.
Cross slaps away a takedown attempt from steele, before circling back to the center of the mat.
steele has a takedown stuffed.
Tone Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but steele shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

steele shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
steele prevents Cross from improving his position.
Well, if steele is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cross preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
steele is trying to control. Cross wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Cross gets full guard.
steele passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Cross sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cross is looking to escape.

steele escapes and gets back to his feet.

Cross looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

steele 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
steele wants to stand up but Cross is controlling him.
Cross scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

steele uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Cross bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross working away.
Cross creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
steele is looking for a sweep.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but steele keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross cracks steele with a big elbow.
steele is not content to let Cross control the position.
steele parries the strikes from Cross easily there. Cross is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable steele to escape.

Cross decides to stand up, so the ref orders steele to his feet.
steele has his takedown stuffed

and Cross counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for steele!
Tone Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of keith steele.
Cross takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
steele wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Cross with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
steele is trying to escape the mount but Cross keeps good control and instead manages to take steele's back.
Cross biding his time, controlling steele.
Cross is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at steele. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross has steele flattened out and is raining down punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cross is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. steele knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften steele for a finish.
Cross somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tone Cross dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on keith steele's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

steele circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross gets cracked with a nice right hand there by steele.
Cross tries to clinch up but steele circles away and keeps his distance.
steele swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Cross to counter with a crisp jab.
steele doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cross throws a shot to the body.

steele gets caught flat footed, as Cross shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
steele being controlled here, momentarily.

Cross stands and steps away. steele gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Cross closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming steele to the mat! steele manages to get full guard.
Cross engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
steele keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but steele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
steele is trying to control the position but Cross postures up.
Tone Cross overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
steele is looking to stand up but Cross isn't so interested in that idea.
steele keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Cross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cross controlling from the top position.

Tone Cross has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
steele has his takedown stuffed
and Cross counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cross throws a series of punches but steele moves out of range.
Cross leaves steele with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cross closes the distance and clinches up with steele, looking for a takedown. Cross pushes steele against the cage but steele circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tone Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
steele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cross tries to avoid it but steele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cross to the ground. Cross escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tone Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of keith steele.

Cross shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Cross is looking to take a break and control but steele is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cross is controlling the pace.
steele wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cross has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tone Cross wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A nice leg kick lands there from steele.
Cross lands a slapping body shot.
Cross tries for a takedown but steele circles away easily
and steele connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
steele slips a jab from Cross.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but steele shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
steele tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cross sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten steele somewhat.
steele fails with the takedown

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cross is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that steele can do to turn this around?
Cross seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but steele does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cross tries to pass to full mount but steele defends it.
Tone Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed steele's head.
steele is not content to let Cross control the position.

Cross seems to be working for a kimura but steele defends the submission attempt.
keith steele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

steele actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tone Cross showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cross has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tone Cross!