PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Hanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conan Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conan 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!

Hanks
vs
Cross

179 cm
32
175 lbs
26 - 11 - 1

174 cm
29
150 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent
Conviction

Union Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Hanks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Conan Cross!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cross throws a body kick that misses.
Hanks lands a nice hook to Cross's body. Cross takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hanks cracks a nice hook into Cross's ribs.
Hanks lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hanks connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Conan Cross has been cut.
A jab from Hanks misses.
Cross keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hanks throws a front kick aimed at Cross's knee but Cross avoids it well.
Hanks throws out a loose jab but Cross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hanks misses the shot to the body.
Hanks misses with a head kick.
Cross avoids the head kick by Hanks.
Cross chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hanks can pounce on him.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.

Cross shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hanks is trying to defend but Cross finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is stalling here. Hanks is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Cross seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hanks has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Cross's face as Hanks controls the position.
Cross felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Cross is looking for a sweep.
Hanks has control of an arm but Cross manages to advance to Hanks's back!
Hanks has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Hanks right now.
Hanks trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Cross trying to control momentarily.
Hanks covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks manages to reverse the position and now he's in Cross's guard. Nice work there by Hanks.

Cross working for a triangle but Hanks defends it easily.
Hanks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hanks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cross is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hanks defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross wants to sweep here but Hanks controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hanks dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cross misses with an uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hanks, right into the meat.
Hanks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Cross misses.
Hanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hanks.
Hanks is looking to chop away at Cross's legs.
Hanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cross manages to avoid it.
Cross moves out of range of the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by Hanks as he connects with a hook.
Hanks lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cross at a distance.
Cross lands a glancing blow to the side of Hanks's head.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Hanks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hanks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cross chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross throws a wild body kick that Hanks sees coming a mile off.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hanks's sensitive parts.
Hanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hanks misses with a looping right.
Hanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Craig Hanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hanks tried to score with a low kick but Cross checks it.
Hanks throws a lazy right hand but Cross sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hanks.
Hanks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That kick from Hanks tenderised Cross's leg. Cross is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cross slips a jab from Hanks.
Hanks looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cross scores with a leg kick.
Cross slips a jab from Hanks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hanks's sensitive parts.
Craig Hanks is winning the standup battle so far.
Hanks misses with a jab to the body

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross wants to control from the top but Hanks keeps moving.
Cross postures up.
Hanks is adopting a defensive guard.
Hanks trying to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Cross content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to control from the top but Hanks keeps moving.
Hanks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Craig Hanks wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hanks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cross lands a nice looking body shot.
Cross avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hanks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cross.
Hanks cracks a nice hook into Cross's ribs.
Cross lands a right hook to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hanks.
Cross throws a lazy right hand but Hanks sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hanks throws a leg kick but Cross moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hanks scoring well with a low kick there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hanks.
Cross tries to clinch but Hanks moves out of range.
Cross throws a leg kick but Hanks sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hanks throws a sloppy head kick

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hanks won't be happy with that.
Hanks is looking to regain half guard here but Cross keeps moving and retains side control.
Cross throws a strike aimed at the side of Hanks's head but Hanks avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanks isn't going anywhere.
Cross trying to control the action but Hanks is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Craig Hanks will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hanks misses with a right hand

and Cross counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hanks's guard now.
Hanks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cross not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cross trying to control but Hanks is working from the bottom.
Cross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hanks holds on and takes a little breather.
Hanks is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hanks is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Hanks wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Cross shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hanks manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hanks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross postures up and lands a big shot to Hanks's brow.
Hanks is adopting a defensive guard.
Cross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks is controlling Cross's posture.
Cross postures up.

Craig Hanks has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hanks throws a leg kick which misses Cross's front leg but catches the back leg as Cross tries to avoid it.
Cross throws an overhand right that lands on Hanks's shoulder, as Hanks tries to avoid the shot.
Cross fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hanks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Hanks finds it's way through Cross's defenses.
Hanks misses with a straight right.
Hanks throws a solid leg kick but Cross takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hanks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Cross finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hanks lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hanks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cross circles away quickly and effectively.
Cross's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cross throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Horrible takedown by Cross or perhaps it was just good defense by Hanks which made him look bad.

Cross drives through with a takedown into Hanks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanks trying to control the position.
Hanks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cross.
Hanks is pulling down on Cross's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Conan Cross just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hanks throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
Hanks misses with the combination.
Hanks jabs Cross right on the nose. Cross blinks but takes it well.
Hanks attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Hanks circles away.
Cross lands a leg kick that knocks Hanks off balance momentarily.
Some bone on bone action there as Cross checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hanks scores with a hook.
Cross stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Cross rushes Hanks and presses him up against the cage.
Cross is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hanks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Hanks fails to land.
Good body shot from Hanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hanks connects with a jab.
Hanks steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cross. That one must have hurt.
Hanks jabs at Cross's body.
Hanks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hanks throws a big shot that misses.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Jab from Cross.
Nice straight punches there by Cross. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cross.
Hanks misses the jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cross.
Hanks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Hanks takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hanks. Cross does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanks has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cross.
Hanks thuds his shin into the meat of Cross's side.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Hanks pushes him off.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hanks.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hanks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hanks throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
Cross connects with a nice looking jab.
Hanks throws the left hand but Cross avoids the punch easily.
A punch combination from Hanks misses.
Hanks misses with a right hand

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Conan Cross has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hanks is refusing to be controlled, as Cross sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hanks's head.
Hanks controlling the position for now.
Cross looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hanks with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hanks is looking for a sweep. Cross is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hanks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cross thows a huge punch but Hanks dodges it nicely.
Hanks manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cross is fighting to break Hanks's control of his arms but Hanks is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Conan Cross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
That's time! 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.

Hanks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hanks throws a hook but Cross blocks it.
Hanks feints and then cracks Cross's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cross down.
Cross chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Hanks.
Hanks lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hanks swinging wildly here.
Cross connects with a looping right hand.
Hanks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cross uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cross fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hanks checks it well.
Cross slips a jab from Hanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks throws the kick towards the body but Cross avoids it.
Cross avoids the body shot from Hanks.
Hanks throws a leg kick but Cross checks it.
Cross looks to land a body kick but Hanks moved away.
Cross fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cross connects with a jab.
Hanks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cross finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hanks fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cross cracks the inside of Hanks's front leg.
Hanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cross was well out of range. Poor timing from Hanks.
Cross throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hanks is trying to stand.
Hanks is looking for a sweep. Cross is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hanks is working hard here to advance position.
Hanks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hanks.
Cross trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hanks is keeping the position for now.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks working a defensive guard here.
Hanks controlling Cross's posture.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Hanks wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cross on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hanks throws a low kick but Cross avoids it.
Hanks swings for the body but Cross moves out of range.
Cross stuns Hanks with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Hanks misses

and Cross counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hanks!
Hanks wants to control but Cross postures up.
An elbow from Cross crashes against the mat.
Hanks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross trying to control the action but Hanks is working from the bottom.
Cross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanks won't allow Cross to pass to mount.
Cross working Hanks over with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Conan Cross.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 47:48
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conan Cross!
Conan Cross is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Conan Cross thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.