PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Conan Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lars Thunstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thunstrom has chosen Prodigy - Spitfire as his entrance music. Lars Thunstrom 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!

Cross
vs
Thunstrom

174 cm
30
150 lbs
20 - 7 - 1

160 cm
37
160 lbs
31 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Conan Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lars Thunstrom!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thunstrom looks for a takedown but Cross sprawls well.
Thunstrom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Cross scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cross, right into the meat.
Cross throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thunstrom.
Thunstrom cracks Cross with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cross attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Cross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thunstrom waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cross.
A low kick from Cross is predictable there

and Thunstrom counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Cross prevents Thunstrom from improving position.

Thunstrom tries for a kimura but Cross is defending well.
Thunstrom has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Cross!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross working to try and regain half guard.
Thunstrom fails to advance to Cross's back.
Thunstrom trying to control but Cross is having none of it.

Thunstrom jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cross is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cross and Thunstrom has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Cross struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom is looking to take a break and control but Cross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cross's coaches at Meats Slaughter House have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.

Thunstrom goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Cross rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thunstrom's guard! Nice work there by Cross!
Thunstrom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thunstrom trying to keep a closed guard but Cross is proving a slippery customer.
Cross wants to pass the guard but Thunstrom is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom controls Cross momentarily but Cross frees himself.
Thunstrom 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.
Thunstrom is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Thunstrom has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thunstrom prevents Cross from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Cross sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Thunstrom is keen to just control but Cross is a slippery customer.
Cross holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Thunstrom is working for a kimura but Cross is defending it quite comfortably.
Thunstrom works his way into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thunstrom looking to take Cross's back but Cross rolls and after a scramble, Cross ends up on top in guard. Nice escape there from Cross to escape a tricky position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Thunstrom dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thunstrom lands a jab to Cross's midsection.
Cross tries to clinch but Thunstrom moves out of range.
Cross slips a straight right by Thunstrom.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cross. That's going to slow Thunstrom down.
Cross throws a hook but Thunstrom avoids it easily.
Cross chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cross!
Cross tries to clinch up

and Thunstrom counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thunstrom trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunstrom looking to pass the guard.
Thunstrom advances to half guard.
Thunstrom is thwarting Cross's attempts to control the position.

Thunstrom seems to be working for a kimura but Cross defends the submission attempt.

Thunstrom is working for a kimura but Cross is defending it quite comfortably.
Thunstrom is trying to control. Cross wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Thunstrom is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cross has managed to free his arm - good work.
Thunstrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Cross is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lars Thunstrom has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thunstrom seems to be working for a kimura but Cross defends the submission attempt.
Cross wants to improve his position but Thunstrom is controlling well.
Thunstrom is looking to pass Cross's guard but actually Cross recovers to full guard.
Cross working a defensive guard here.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Thunstrom from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Thunstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross trying to keep a closed guard but Thunstrom is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lars Thunstrom.
Cross lands a slapping body shot.
Cross dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thunstrom. That did some damage!
Thunstrom lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

It looks like Conan Cross has been cut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cross.
Thunstrom tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Cross fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Thunstrom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Thunstrom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Thunstrom misses with a double jab
enabling Cross to counter with a crisp jab.
Cross misses with a low kick.
Cross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cross throws a wild body kick that Thunstrom sees coming a mile off.
Cross bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Thunstrom misses with a body shot.
Cross bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cross scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thunstrom in his tracks.
Crunch! Cross slams his shin into Thunstrom's torso.
Thunstrom throws a jab but it's blocked by Cross.
Cross takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cross wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thunstrom has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cross misses with a low kick.
Thunstrom scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cross misses with a straight left.
Cross lands a leg kick that knocks Thunstrom off balance momentarily.
Cross ducks right into an uppercut from Thunstrom.
Cross jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cross cracks the inside of Thunstrom's front leg.
Cross lands a leg kick that knocks Thunstrom off balance momentarily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cross.
Conan Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cross attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Thunstrom takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Cross lands a jab to the head.
Thunstrom fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross lands a head kick!
Thunstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thunstrom checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cross cracks Thunstrom with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Cross delivers a nice body kick.
Thunstrom scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Conan Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice shot lands for Cross.
Thunstrom throws an off balance right hand
and Cross counters with a nice body shot.
Thunstrom on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cross. Cross obviously looking to wear him down.
Cross looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Cross lands a nice hook to Thunstrom's body. Thunstrom takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thunstrom stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cross.
Thunstrom has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cross swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom keeps the fight on the outside.
Cross throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Thunstrom's head.
Conan Cross is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thunstrom checks a low kick from Cross.
Some wild striking there from Thunstrom.
Cross wants to clinch.
Cross displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thunstrom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross misses with a body kick.
Cross bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conan Cross clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thunstrom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thunstrom sizes up Cross with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Thunstrom walks into a left hand.
Cross scores with a nice head shot.
A left lands for Cross.
Thunstrom has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cross.
Cross lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cross lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thunstrom's sensitive parts.
Cross lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Thunstrom misses the target.
Cross lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cross tests Thunstrom's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Cross there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thunstrom misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Cross takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Cross. Thunstrom shrugs it off though.
Cross bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Thunstrom's head backwards.
A left lands for Cross.
Thunstrom walks into a stiff left hand from Cross.
Thunstrom lands with a straight right. Cross didn't see that one coming.
A jab lands there for Cross.
Nice uppercut lands for Thunstrom. That snapped Cross's head back.

Cross gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thunstrom to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's two 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!
Cross keeping full guard, as Thunstrom tries to pass.
Cross keeping moving, preventing Thunstrom from controlling successfully.
Cross controlling the position.

Cross escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thunstrom 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.
Cross has control of Thunstrom's left arm, preventing Thunstrom from doing any damage.
Thunstrom tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross can't keep his opponent in guard - Thunstrom advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Thunstrom seems to be looking for submissions.
Thunstrom wants to control but Cross is keeping him busy.
Cross tries to roll over but Thunstrom keeps him under control.
Cross trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Thunstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross is trying to control the position but Thunstrom postures up.
Thunstrom trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Thunstrom is pushing down on Cross's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cross is fighting to maintain full guard but Thunstrom has managed to sneak the leg through.

Thunstrom is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Conan Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Thunstrom tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cross is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Thunstrom throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cross sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cross scores with a nice body kick.
Thunstrom walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice shot lands for Cross.
Thunstrom takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cross lets loose with a powerful body kick. Thunstrom will feel that in the morning.
A big left from Thunstrom misses.
That kick from Cross tenderised Thunstrom's leg. Thunstrom is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunstrom takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cross tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cross scores with a head kick.
Cross throws a head kick that misses

and Thunstrom counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cross won't be happy with that.
Cross is not content to let Thunstrom control the position.

Thunstrom swings around for an armbar but Cross sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thunstrom's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross pushing down on Thunstrom's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cross wants to control but Thunstrom is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom wants to improve his position but Cross is controlling well.
Cross slows the pace down in half guard.
Thunstrom is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.
Thunstrom taking some punishment here, with Cross in his half guard.
Thunstrom tries to get to full guard but Cross has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cross.
Thunstrom is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cross wants to get back to full guard.
Thunstrom controlling the action here.
Thunstrom trying to control the action but Cross is working from the bottom.

Cross looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cross.
Cross working a defensive guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross working a defensive guard but Thunstrom manages to pass into side control anyway.
Cross is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conan Cross showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:48
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Conan Cross!
Our winner, Conan Cross, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.