PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Rodman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Right Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rodman
vs
Cross

195 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dennis Rodman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Right Cross!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodman tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cross slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rodman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cross.
Dennis Rodman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodman.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Rodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Cross as Rodman shoots in.
Rodman throws a right and a left that Cross avoids nicely.
Rodman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Rodman is breathing heavily.
Rodman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodman closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rodman as he jumps to the side.
Rodman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cross sprawls well. Cross wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodman gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Cross.
Cross scores with a jab to the body.
Cross lands a nice shot to the body.
Cross lands a jab to Rodman's midsection.
Rodman keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodman on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cross is looking to clinch but Rodman is avoiding it.
Cross dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown. Rodman tries to sprawl out of it but Cross keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rodman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cross counters with a left to the body.
Cross works Rodman's body with a nice hook.
Cross is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rodman rather than just go for the knockout.
Cross jabs Rodman to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rodman checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross with a body punch. A glancing blow.
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!
Rodman avoids a kick to the body.
Cross tries to clinch up.
Cross lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rodman's sensitive parts.
Cross tries a low kick but Rodman avoids it.
Rodman swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Cross counter with a right hand.
Cross lands with a good body shot.
Cross lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rodman backs up against the cage.
Cross lands with a shot to the body.
Cross fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cross fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rodman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cross slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodman swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands with a nice combination. Rodman backs away looking to recover.

Cross looking to score a takedown here. Rodman is defending well but Cross drives through and ends up in Rodman's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rodman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cross throwing strikes but missing.
Cross prevents Rodman from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cross accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rodman wants to stand and escape but Cross is having none of it.
Rodman trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rodman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cross is fending him off so far but Rodman persists. Nope, Cross circles away and we're back to standing.
Cross fails to land the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cross.
Rodman thows a leg kick but Cross checks it
and Cross counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Right Cross dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rodman throws a head kick that misses.
Right Cross seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cross sprawls well. Cross wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodman gets slowly back to his feet.
Rodman takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rodman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cross defends well and Rodman ends up having to push Cross into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rodman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cross prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Rodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodman goes for a takedown attempt but Cross pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cross connects with a body shot that sends Rodman's belly button to the back.
Dennis Rodman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodman takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cross scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rodman doesn't seem bothered though.
Rodman shoots in for a double leg but Cross sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cross jabs at Rodman's body.
Cross comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cross tries to land a leg kick but Rodman saw it coming and moves away.
Rodman misses with a takedown attempt - Cross sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rodman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cross lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rodman at a distance.
Cross lands a nice looking body shot.
Cross comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rodman shoots for a takedown but Cross saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cross darts in looking for a takedown but Rodman gets double underhooks and turns Cross into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodman doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cross counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rodman closes the distance and clinches up with Cross, looking for a takedown. Rodman pushes Cross against the cage but Cross circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cross cracks a nice hook into Rodman's ribs.
Rodman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross lands a jab to Rodman's midsection.
Rodman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cross as he avoids it easily.
Cross scores with a one two! Rodman had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Cross lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cross shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodman defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodman misses with a combination
and Cross counters with a straight right hand.
Cross tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rodman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cross somewhat.
Rodman dives in for a single leg takedown but Cross sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodman doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rodman misses with a combination
and Cross counters with a right hand to the body.
Rodman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodman steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cross. That one must have hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Cross as he connects with a hook.
Rodman looks for a takedown but Cross sprawls well.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cross scores with a hook to the body. Rodman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cross scores with a hook to the body. Rodman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rodman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rodman misses with a jab, cross combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodman has his takedown stuffed
and Cross counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cross throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Right Cross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rodman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodman.
Rodman throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cross counters with a left to the body.
Cross works Rodman's body with a nice hook.
Cross jabs at Rodman's body.
Cross fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cross thuds a left hand into Rodman's body.
Cross comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cross connects with a looping right hand.
Cross tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rodman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cross somewhat.
Rodman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Rodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rodman leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodman fails to land the takedown.
Cross dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rodman moves out of range of the body kick from Cross.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodman. Rodman gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross scores with a sloppy right hand. Rodman should have avoided that one.
Cross connects with a body shot.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cross scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodman leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cross avoids it really well and circles away.
Rodman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodman throws a combination that misses
and Cross counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rodman thinking.
Cross lands with a good body shot.
Cross fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rodman misses with a combination
and Cross makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Rodman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a shot to the body.
Rodman tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cross's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cross duly obliges.
Cross scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rodman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodman 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 Rodman off to one side.
Cross wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rodman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rodman checks a leg kick.
Cross lands a right hook to the body.
Rodman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Cross with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cross slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodman, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rodman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rodman on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rodman tries to get out of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Right Cross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cross has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Right Cross!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Right Cross!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Right Cross!

Right Cross wins by unanimous decision!