PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Newman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newman has chosen Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can`t Stop as his entrance music. Jason Cross has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cross
vs
Newman

175 cm
26
195 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
191 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Newman!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Newman.
Cross fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Newman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Newman with a nice cross.
Nice jab there from Newman.

Newman tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cross has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Newman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Newman has had enough of the clinch but Cross keeps him there for the moment.
Newman jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cross walks away with a smile on his face. Newman gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cross pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cross tries to clinch but Newman is having none of it.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.
Newman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Newman keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Newman.
Newman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cross stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Newman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Cross takes the fight into the clinch.
Cross gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Newman.
Cross taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Newman is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jason Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Newman.
Cross lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cross could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Cross pulls guard effortlessly.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Newman trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Cross tries to strike from the bottom.
Cross striking off his back but it's not causing Newman any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross controls Newman momentarily but Newman frees himself.
Newman trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
Newman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cross is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Newman tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Newman to the ground. Newman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cross will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Newman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Newman sprawls well. Newman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cross gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws the kick towards the body but Newman avoids it.
Newman lands with a shot to the body.
Jason Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Cross takes one to the side of the head.
Newman lands with a nice body punch.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Cross throws a head kick but Newman moves out of range.
Newman dives in and grabs Cross's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cross pushes down on Newman's head and hops out.
Nice body kick there by Newman.
Newman lands with an uppercut that bounces Cross off the cage and back into range.
Newman throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Newman.
Nice cross by Newman.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Newman has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Cross takes one on the button.
Newman looks to land a left hand but Cross moved out of range nicely.
Newman scores with a jab to the jaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cross.
Newman is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Cross had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Newman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Newman lands with an overhand left.
Newman scores with a hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Newman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Decent striking displayed by Newman there.
Newman uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cross has time to react.
Newman throws a hook to the side of Cross's head but Cross sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Newman dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cross throws a head kick that misses.
Cross just misses with a punch to the body.
Newman misses with an uppercut
and Cross counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Newman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Newman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Newman lands a jab to the nose.

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

Cross pulls guard effortlessly.
Cross looking to control.
Newman stands up over Cross, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross is looking to stand up but Newman isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Newman.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Newman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Newman postures up and lands a big shot to Cross's brow.
Newman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newman throwing strikes but missing.

Newman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Newman from controlling successfully.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross controls Newman momentarily but Newman frees himself.
Newman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Newman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Cross is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Newman is aware though and is defending well.
Newman passes Cross's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cross taking some punishment here, with Newman in his half guard.
Newman working over Cross with some ground and pound. Cross looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cross regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cross is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Newman trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

Newman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Cross needs to keep his hands up - Newman had a free shot at his head there.
Cross on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Newman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cross.
Newman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Newman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Newman misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Newman's corner calls for a 1-2. Newman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Newman throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.
Newman scores with a nice head shot.
Newman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cross as he jumps to the side.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Newman tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Newman to the ground. Newman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Newman throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Newman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Newman lands with an uppercut that bounces Cross off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Newman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Newman sizes up Cross with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cross tries to clinch but Newman moves out of range.
Newman shoots in looking for a takedown. Cross tries to sprawl out of it but Newman 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Newman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Newman tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Newman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Newman might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Newman tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Newman to the ground. Newman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cross looks for a takedown but Newman sprawls well.
Newman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Paul Newman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Newman connects with the punch.
Nice defenses there by Cross.
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Newman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Newman throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross avoids the head kick by Newman.
Cross staying out of range there.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up but Newman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Cross walks into a left hand.
Newman misses with a hook.
Cross takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Newman leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cross doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Newman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Newman throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.
Newman throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Newman lands with a shot to the body.
Cross blocks a head kick by Newman.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cross looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newman lands a glancing blow to the side of Cross's head.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.
Newman lands the left hand.
Newman lands with a cross.
Cross gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Newman.
Paul Newman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Newman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Newman lands a jab to the nose.
Newman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Cross gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Newman is looking to land body kicks.
Cross bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cross avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Newman throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Newman is defended easily by Cross.
Cross shoots in but no luck this time.
Jason Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Newman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jason Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Newman wants it to stay on the feet.
Newman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Newman connects with a body shot that sends Cross's belly button to the back.
Newman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cross takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Newman stuffs the takedown attempt from Cross. Cross gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross tries to move into range but Newman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Newman's corner calls for a 1-2. Newman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cross takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The fighters circle momentarily. Newman darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Newman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Newman winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Newman!
An out of breath Paul Newman thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.