PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dexter Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clifford Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cross's entrance music is Man in the Box - Alice in Chains. A fine choice. Cross is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Cross
vs
Johnston

204 cm
26
289 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

150 cm
19
300 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dexter Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clifford Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jorge Garcia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnston rushes Cross and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cross looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Johnston throws an elbow but it misses.

Johnston drags the fight down to the ground.
Cross stopping the sweep attempt from Johnston.

Johnston escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cross will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Johnston wants to stand and escape but Cross is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston trying to control the position.
Johnston should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Johnston has eaten all the pies!
Cross preventing the sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnston can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnston is trying to control the position but Cross postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnston looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnston is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Cross avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnston looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cross is one step ahead there.
Johnston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Clifford Johnston was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cross.
Johnston throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cross counters with a big head kick but Johnston shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnston drives through and clinches with Cross against the cage.

Johnston's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnston swinging wildly here.
Johnston misses with a takedown attempt - Cross sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Johnston keeps the fight on the outside.
Cross stuffs the takedown.
A low kick from Johnston is predictable there
and Cross makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnston misses with a body shot.
Cross leaves Johnston with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dexter Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clifford Johnston.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnston. Johnston gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.

Johnston has closed the distance and engaged Cross in a clinch.

Johnston pulls guard effortlessly.
Johnston trying to keep a closed guard but Cross is proving a slippery customer.
Johnston looking to control but Cross passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clifford Johnston dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cross shoots in for a takedown but Johnston shows good takedown defense.
Johnston tries a low kick but Cross avoids it.
Cross avoids the head kick by Johnston.
Johnston shoots in and drives through. Cross sprawls well.
Johnston shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnston shoots in for a takedown but Cross shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dexter Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clifford Johnston.
Cross displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnston.
Both fighters circling a little - Cross finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnston circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross shoots in but Johnston avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cross avoids it really well and circles away.
Cross tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Johnston manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dexter Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnston throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cross counters with a nice body kick.
Cross lands with a nice combination. Johnston backs away looking to recover.
Johnston throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.
Johnston misses with a takedown attempt - Cross sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnston swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross punishes Johnston's body with a nice straight punch.
Johnston shoots for a takedown but Cross saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cross's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Johnston moves into the clinch.

Johnston manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cross passes into half guard.
Johnston looks like he's trying to stand up.

Cross is trying to work for a kimura but Johnston is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston wants to get back to his feet.
Cross seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston tries to roll over but Cross keeps him under control.
Cross is trying to control. Johnston wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Johnston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cross. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnston wants to get back to full guard but Cross has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnston tries to improve his position but Cross has taken his back! Cross has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Johnston tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Cross pushes Johnston away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dexter Cross!
A relieved looking Dexter Cross thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.