PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Mir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wess Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wess Cross will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mir
vs
Cross

191 cm
26
250 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

200 cm
27
275 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Mir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wess Cross!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mir dives in for a single leg takedown but Cross sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Mir has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cross uses from the top position.
We've been hearing good reports from Mir's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Mir has his foot on Cross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cross works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross wants to get up but he can't break Mir's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Mir has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cross can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Mir is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mir is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cross has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mir is proving hard to escape from.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross trying to control but Mir is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mir looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Mir looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cross stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mir swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mir is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cross is aware though and is defending well.

Mir has his foot on Cross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cross works his way back into a safe position though.

Mir is looking for a triangle but Cross pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross pushing down on Mir's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mir is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mir actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mir makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Cross lands a glancing blow to the side of Mir's head.
Mir looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cross is fending him off so far but Mir persists. Nope, Cross circles away and we're back to standing.
Cross misses with a series of wild punches.
Cross ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cross rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mir moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a nice looking combination but Mir bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cross scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mir doesn't seem bothered though.
Cross tries to clinch but Mir moves out of range.

Cross shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mir's guard.
Cross must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mir is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cross wants to stand but Mir has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Mir looking for a guillotine here but Cross defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mir throws his legs up looking for a submission but Cross uses it to pass to side control.
Mir is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mir is pressing down on Cross's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Mir working for a triangle but Cross defends it easily.
Cross trying to control but Mir is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Mir 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 misses with a series of wild punches.

Mir is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cross's half guard.

Cross looking for submissions off his back.
Mir not doing much here.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Mir is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cross wants to improve his position but Mir is controlling well.
Mir is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mir passes the guard and advances to mount!
Frank Mir overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
BOOM! Mir connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Mir sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Mir is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cross can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mir can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cross is looking to escape.
Mir is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cross is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Cross wants to control but Mir is having none of it.
Cross is desperately trying to improve his position but Mir has a good base and remains in mount.
Cross is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Mir has taken his back.
Mir is riding his opponent, not letting Cross buck him off.
Mir punishes Cross with strikes from the back mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mir punishes Cross with strikes from the back mount.

Cross defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Mir's arms.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mir is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cross knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cross for a finish.
Cross trying to control the action but Mir just sinks the hooks in.
Cross might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mir haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Mir here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cross can't escape the position.
Cross is breathing heavily.

Mir has managed to slip his arm under Cross's chin. This could be all over... yep, Cross is tapping out! Submission win for Mir.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frank Mir!