PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Cross told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Michaels
vs
Cross

185 cm
21
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

223 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Cross!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Michaels darts in and clinches Cross up against the cage.

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

Michaels tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.
Michaels lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Michaels smiles and moves away.

Michaels has managed to clinch.
Michaels has had enough of the clinch but Cross keeps him there for the moment.
Michaels tries for a takedown. No joy.
Michaels takes a knee right on the jaw!

Michaels breaks the clinch.
Cross shoots for a takedown but Michaels saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Michaels moves into the clinch.
Michaels lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Michaels managing to block the knees to the body from Cross.
Cross letting Michaels take a breather here.
Michaels tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.

Michaels breaks from the clinch.
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Michaels gets a clinch.
Michaels holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Michaels smiles and moves away.
Jack Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Cross.

Michaels fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross tries to pull guard but Michaels holds him up against the cage and eventually Cross drops back down to his feet.
Cross's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Michaels breaks from the clinch.

Michaels drives through and clinches with Cross against the cage.
Michaels tries to score a body lock takedown but Cross shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Michaels has Cross pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Michaels pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cross tumbling to the mat - Michaels dives into Cross's guard.
Cross is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cross is trying to keep Michaels in close.
Michaels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Michaels might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Michaels passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Cross wants to control but Michaels postures up.
Michaels connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cross some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels working away.
Michaels working the body and head with strikes.
Cross is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cross looks gassed!
Michaels creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Michaels working the head with strikes.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.
Michaels fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Michaels landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Cross takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Cross wants to control but Michaels postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michaels has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Cross wants to control but Michaels is having none of it.
Michaels landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by Michaels.
Michaels is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels landing punches.
Michaels working Cross over with strikes here.
Michaels could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Michaels lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Cross is in a horrible position here. Michaels smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Michaels looking to control but Cross is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Michaels.
Cross really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Michaels with the ground and pound from mount.
Michaels avoids the attempt from Cross to control.
Cross is looking to get to half guard.
Michaels misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cross wants to control but Michaels is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Michaels prevents Cross from getting the reversal.
Cross wants to control but Michaels is having none of it.
Cross really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cross tries to lock up and control but Michaels gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cross is in all sorts of trouble here.
Michaels dominating with strikes here.
Cross takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Michaels working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Michaels cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Michaels avoids the attempt from Cross to control.
Cross bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Michaels looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cross trying to control but Michaels is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Michaels 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.

Michaels scores with a takedown into Cross's guard.
Cross striking off his back but it's not causing Michaels any problems.
Cross trying to keep a closed guard but Michaels is proving a slippery customer.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Michaels's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Michaels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cross is trying to control the position but Michaels postures up.
Michaels lands a couple of digs.
Michaels is working Cross over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Michaels slow jab from Cross misses its intended target.

Michaels pushes Cross up against the cage in a clinch.
Michaels is trying to break free.

Michaels has clasped his hands together around Cross's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cross tries to improve position but can't.
Michaels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels is trying to control the action in half guard but Cross is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Michaels throws a strike but Cross avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Michaels from controlling successfully.
Michaels is looking to work some ground and pound but Cross has wrist control.
Michaels wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
Cross preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cross is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Michaels looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cross will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cross tries to clinch

and Michaels counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cross can't break the clinch.
Cross prevents Michaels from breaking the clinch.

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

Michaels clinches with his opponent.
Michaels is pressed up against the cage. Cross has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Michaels down to the mat. Michaels avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

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.

Michaels shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Michaels scoring with strikes but Cross is staying in there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Michaels cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cross wants to control but Michaels is having none of it.
Michaels landing strikes from the mount.
Michaels lands a heavy elbow.
Michaels landing strikes from the mount.
Michaels with the ground and pound from mount.
Michaels in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Cross is looking to improve his position but Michaels isn't that keen on the idea.
Cross tries to hold on but Michaels postures up.
Michaels has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cross really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Michaels is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cross can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Cross tries to hold on but Michaels postures up.
Cross gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jack Michaels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Michaels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cross's head.
Michaels prevents Cross from standing back up.
Cross wants to get back to full guard.
Michaels works his way into side control.
Michaels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross struggling a bit here.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.
Cross prevents Michaels from improving position.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.
Cross is trying to get back to half guard.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Michaels asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Michaels landing a few strikes.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.
Cross is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Michaels lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cross wants to improve his position but Michaels is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Michaels connects with a nice short shot to Cross's temple.
Michaels working Cross over with strikes.
Cross is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Michaels lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Michaels working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cross has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Michaels is working away from the top position though.
Cross is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Michaels dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Michaels circles away from the clinch attempt.

Michaels bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Michaels wants to control but Cross is keeping him busy.
Michaels taking a break here but Cross is having none of it and regains half guard.
Cross tries to get to full guard but Michaels has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cross taking some punishment here, with Michaels in his half guard.
Michaels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cross's head.
Michaels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross trying to hold on to Michaels's head to control him but Michaels postures up.
Michaels working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels is pressing down on Cross's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cross is holding on for now.
Michaels winds up and cracks Cross with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Michaels scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Michaels moves in looking to clinch but Cross pushes him off.
Michaels doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Michaels moves in looking to clinch but Cross pushes him off.
Michaels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jack Michaels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels shoots in looking for a takedown. Cross tries to sprawl out of it but Michaels keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cross manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Michaels tries a low kick but Cross avoids it.

Cross gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Michaels is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cross keeping full guard, as Michaels tries to pass.

Cross is working an open guard so Michaels takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Michaels throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Michaels tries to clinch but Cross moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Michaels paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cross lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cross misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cross throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Michaels's head.
Cross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Michaels looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michaels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cross works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Michaels throws a strike but Cross rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Michaels throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Michaels is trying to keep Cross in close.
Cross preventing the sweep.
Michaels looking to control.
Michaels keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown. Michaels tries to sprawl out of it but Cross keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Michaels manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Some bone on bone action there as Cross checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt
and Cross counters with a stiff right hand.

Michaels fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the cage.
Michaels taking a breather.
Cross is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Michaels gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cross tries to pull guard but Michaels holds him up against the cage and eventually Cross drops back down to his feet.
Jack Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Cross.
Cross is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Michaels gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cross misses with a knee strike.

Michaels breaks the clinch.

Cross decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Cross stands up and beckons Michaels to join him on the feet.
Joe Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Michaels tries to clinch up.
Nice sprawl there from Michaels as Cross shoots in.
Michaels tries to clinch but Cross moves away
and Cross counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Michaels is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Michaels.
Cross taking punishment in the form of punches.

Michaels looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michaels lands an elbow.
Michaels in side control lands a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cross tries to bench press Michaels off him but Michaels keeps the position.
Michaels working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Cross prevents Michaels from moving into mount.
Michaels landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Michaels working the head with strikes.
Cross is looking to reverse the position.
Michaels tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cross fails with the takedown

and Michaels counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Michaels.
Joe Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michaels lands a couple of digs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Michaels showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Michaels, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Michaels!