PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Crosby (ranked 8566 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus De Lind (ranked 6022 p4p, 588 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Crosby
vs
De Lind

219 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Crosby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcus De Lind!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crosby gets caught napping as De Lind dives in and scores a takedown. Crosby manages to retain guard.
De Lind is looking to pass into half guard but Crosby pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Crosby is in guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Crosby accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crosby throwing strikes but missing.
Crosby throwing strikes from guard but De Lind blocks nicely.
Crosby trying to control but De Lind is working from the bottom.
De Lind utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crosby 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.
De Lind preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crosby content to stall in guard here.
Crosby throwing strikes from guard but De Lind blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Lind is working an open guard so Crosby takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

De Lind shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Crosby napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Crosby has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Crosby sneaks out the side door and pushes De Lind away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Crosby swats away the attempt to clinch by De Lind.
De Lind displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Crosby.

De Lind instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from De Lind.
De Lind lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Lind using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Crosby has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De Lind breaks from the clinch.

De Lind shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Crosby has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes De Lind off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
De Lind looks winded!

Crosby feints and as De Lind raises his hands in defense, Crosby changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Crosby slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
De Lind is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Crosby working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Crosby throws a strike but De Lind rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Crosby looking for submissions from the bottom but instead De Lind passes into half guard.
De Lind seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
De Lind really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Crosby. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crosby keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Crosby is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but De Lind pulls his head out easily.
De Lind tries to pass the half guard into mount. Crosby knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Crosby missing with punches from the bottom.

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.
De Lind prevents Crosby from improving his position.
Crosby wants to get back to his feet.

Crosby actively working from the bottom here.
Crosby really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Crosby looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike Crosby will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

De Lind drives through and clinches with Crosby against the cage.

De Lind decides to pull guard.
Crosby won't allow De Lind to get back to his feet.
Crosby is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Crosby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Lind wants to stand up but Crosby is controlling him.
Crosby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crosby throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Crosby engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Crosby working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crosby scoring with punches to the head and body.
Crosby lands a couple of elbows.
Crosby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Crosby will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
De Lind controlling the position.
Crosby working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Crosby is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
De Lind is breathing heavily.
De Lind tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Crosby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Lind utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crosby slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
De Lind fails in his attempt to clinch.

De Lind instigates a clinch.
De Lind swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Crosby is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but De Lind is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crosby blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Crosby keeps control of De Lind as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crosby is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
De Lind stops a takedown attempt from Crosby.
De Lind has Crosby pushed against the cage.
Crosby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Crosby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crosby goes for a takedown in the clinch but De Lind prevents it.
Crosby is trying to maintain a safe position but De Lind gets an underhook and turns Crosby into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crosby is trying to drag De Lind to the mat but De Lind just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Crosby is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but De Lind is defending well.
De Lind lands a hook that snaps the head of Crosby backwards.

De Lind breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crosby shoots in for a takedown but De Lind shows good takedown defense.
Despite the aggression on De Lind's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

De Lind darts in and clinches Crosby up against the cage.
De Lind scores with a shot to the side of Crosby's head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from De Lind.

De Lind gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Crosby regains guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

De Lind gets to his feet. Crosby looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De Lind rushes Crosby and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Crosby missing with knees to the body.

De Lind successfully pulls guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crosby wants to control from the top but De Lind keeps moving.
Crosby working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Crosby won't allow De Lind to sweep him here.
Crosby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Crosby working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Lind trying to keep a closed guard but Crosby is proving a slippery customer.
De Lind wants to stand up but Crosby is controlling him.
Crosby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus De Lind showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Crosby looks for a takedown but De Lind sprawls well.
De Lind swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Crosby gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows De Lind to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Crosby uses the cage to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crosby rushes De Lind and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

De Lind has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Crosby uses from the top position.
Crosby working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
De Lind takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Lind has momentary wrist control but Crosby slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crosby is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Crosby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Crosby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as De Lind works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Crosby trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Crosby with a nice head shot there.
De Lind wants to stand and escape but Crosby is having none of it.
Crosby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as De Lind works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Mike Crosby overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Crosby throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

De Lind moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Crosby tries for a takedown but De Lind manages to get underhooks.
Crosby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Crosby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, De Lind creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

De Lind breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Crosby gets tackled into the cage by De Lind. De Lind maintains the clinch.
Crosby jumps guard but De Lind turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Crosby has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by De Lind after a bit of a struggle.
Crosby has De Lind pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. De Lind manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

De Lind turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Crosby tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

De Lind has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Crosby shoots in for a takedown but De Lind shows good takedown defense.

De Lind has Crosby up against the cage in a clinch.

De Lind manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

De Lind pushes Crosby off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

De Lind bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

De Lind stands up and beckons Crosby to his feet.

Crosby takes the fight into the clinch.
Marcus De Lind seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

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!

De Lind tightens his grip and picks Crosby up, before dumping him to the ground. Crosby manages to land in guard.

Crosby pushes De Lind off and gets back to his feet.
Crosby fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but De Lind avoids it really well and circles away.
De Lind is looking for the big counter here.

De Lind clinches.
Crosby tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. De Lind smiles and moves away.
De Lind bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus De Lind comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think De Lind 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus De Lind!