PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haleb Sukayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sukayev
vs
Cross

195 cm
23
252 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

188 cm
20
275 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

V-Mask Clothing + 70% laundry

GREEN!160

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Haleb Sukayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Cross!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sukayev throws a low kick but Cross moves out of range easily.
Sukayev throws a series of strikes that have Cross backpedaling.
Sukayev throws a right hand that misses

and Cross counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sukayev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cross is one step ahead there.
Cross working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sukayev's head.
Sukayev has momentary wrist control but Cross slips an elbow through the middle.
Sukayev wants to sweep here but Cross controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sukayev has control of Cross's left arm, preventing Cross from doing any damage.
Sukayev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sukayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cross must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sukayev keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.

Cross got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sukayev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cross has managed to get both his arms back between Sukayev's legs - danger averted.
Sukayev wants to sweep but no luck.
Cross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sukayev moves out of range of the strikes.
Cross misses with a hook.
Cross throws out a powerful jab.
Sukayev misses with a hook.
Cross staying out of range there.
Cross gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sukayev throws out the jab.
A low kick from Sukayev is predictable there

and Cross counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cross in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cross trying to control but Sukayev is working from the bottom.
Sukayev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross distracts Sukayev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sukayev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sukayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sukayev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cross scoring with punches to the head and body.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sukayev holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sukayev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sukayev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Chris Cross has been cut.
Sukayev throws a series of punches but Cross moves out of range.
Sukayev thows a leg kick but Cross checks it

so Cross counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cross trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cross looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sukayev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sukayev is working hard here to advance position.
Sukayev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sukayev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sukayev keeping full guard, as Cross tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Cross dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Cross's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sukayev misses with a wild body shot.
Sukayev looks to land a right hand but Cross moved out of range.
Sukayev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cross if he has to take too many more of those.
Sukayev lands with a straight right. Cross didn't see that one coming.
Haleb Sukayev is winning the standup battle so far.
Cross slips under a jab.
Cross sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Sukayev tries to sprawl but Cross drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sukayev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cross's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cross's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sukayev wants to control but Cross manages to buck him off and is now in Sukayev's guard! Nice work there by Cross!
Sukayev trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sukayev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cross defends it easily.
Chris Cross has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sukayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sukayev working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sukayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sukayev keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Sukayev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Cross 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 lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sukayev trying to control from the bottom.
Sukayev desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cross is trying to control the action in half guard but Sukayev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cross missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cross thows a huge punch but Sukayev dodges it nicely.
Sukayev wants to control but Cross is keeping busy.
Cross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sukayev's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cross connects with a nice short shot to Sukayev's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sukayev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cross's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cross's back!

Cross fending off the submission attempt from Sukayev.
Cross is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Sukayev looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Cross is controlling Sukayev 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cross is looking to work some ground and pound but Sukayev has wrist control.
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 Haleb Sukayev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chris Cross's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sukayev throws a hook but Cross blocks it.
Sukayev throws the kick towards the body but Cross avoids it.
Cross throws a shot from downtown. Sukayev moves away and avoids it.
Cross moves out of range as Sukayev strikes.
Sukayev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cross throws a hook to the side of Sukayev's head but Sukayev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cross shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sukayev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Cross misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sukayev misses the shot to the body.
Cross is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Cross looks to throw the jab but Sukayev is out of range.
Sukayev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sukayev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sukayev loads up on a big right hand but Cross slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukayev misses with a wild combination.
Sukayev tries a head kick but it misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Sukayev misses the target.
Cross misses the jab.
Sukayev displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sukayev connects with a looping right hand.
Cross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sukayev.
Sukayev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cross under the eye.
Haleb Sukayev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sukayev throws a leg kick but Cross moved away.
Sukayev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sukayev misses with a hook

and Cross counters with a single leg into guard. Sukayev didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sukayev keeping full guard, as Cross tries to pass.
Cross throws a big right hand that misses.
Cross wants to control from the top but Sukayev keeps moving.
Cross throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sukayev wants to sweep but no luck.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Sukayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross throws a big right hand that misses.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throwing strikes from guard but Sukayev blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cross ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sukayev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sukayev with a hook.
Sukayev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sukayev throws a looping overhand right but Cross ducks down to avoid it.
Sukayev defending well as Cross loads up on a big left hand.
Cross is looking to clinch but Sukayev is avoiding it.
Sukayev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Sukayev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
A left lands for Sukayev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross looks to throw the jab but Sukayev is out of range.
Cross loads up on a big right hand but Sukayev slips the punch.
A big right from Cross misses.
Cross misses with an uppercut. Sukayev saw that one coming.
Sukayev loads up on a big right hand but Cross slips the punch.
Sukayev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sukayev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cross misses with a looping right.
Sukayev throws a lazy right hand but Cross sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
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!
Cross pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cross jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haleb Sukayev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sukayev 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haleb Sukayev!
After winning the bout, Haleb Sukayev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.