PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Green Cross (ranked 4235 p4p, 434 weight class) and Darko Pulovic (ranked 3526 p4p, 383 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cross
vs
Pulovic

180 cm
22
170 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

178 cm
24
176 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Green Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Darko Pulovic!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pulovic but Pulovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pulovic throws a counter combo.

Cross has Pulovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Cross stalling.
Pulovic tries to break the clinch but Cross is controlling the position.
Pulovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Cross won't allow it.

Pulovic manages to pull guard.
Cross has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pulovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pulovic wants to control but Cross passes easily into half guard.
Pulovic is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross decides to return to a standing position.

Cross gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Some wild striking there from Pulovic.
A little feinted left hand from Cross on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Pulovic leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pulovic misses with a wild body shot.
Cross fires out a quick counter leg kick but Pulovic just manages to avoid it.
Cross jabs at Pulovic's body.

Cross clinches up with Pulovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Pulovic wants a takedown but no success here.
Cross has been working on his balance at , so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Pulovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands with a short shot to the head.
Pulovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pulovic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cross prevents it.
Pulovic is looking for a takedown.
Green Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darko Pulovic.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross dives in and grabs Pulovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pulovic pushes down on Cross's head and hops out.

Cross has Pulovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Pulovic tries to land knees in the clinch but Cross avoids the damage to the body.
Pulovic is trying to break the clinch but Cross is controlling him.
Cross has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pulovic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pulovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Cross can't get the takedown.
Cross with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic can't break the clinch.
Cross tries to land knees in the clinch but Pulovic avoids the damage to the body.
Cross is pushing Pulovic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cross with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pulovic wants a takedown.
Cross throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cross is working Pulovic over against the cage.
Pulovic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cross gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Pulovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cross clinches with his opponent.
Pulovic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is looking to score with low kicks.
Cross swinging wildly here.
Green Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cross forces Pulovic back against the cage and clinches.
Cross pushes Pulovic back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Cross.
Pulovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cross avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cross has Pulovic pushed against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pulovic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Good body shot from Cross.
Pulovic blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Green Cross dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cross rushes Pulovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cross tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cross is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cross working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pulovic looking to slow down the pace here.
Green Cross has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cross.
Pulovic is looking for a takedown.
Cross just leaning against Pulovic, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross darts in looking for a takedown but Pulovic gets double underhooks and turns Cross into the cage.

Cross has Pulovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Cross controlling the action here for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross has Pulovic pressed against the cage, preventing Pulovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cross avoiding damage.
Cross taking a breather.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Cross breaks the clinch.

Cross clinches up with Pulovic and pushes him back against the cage.

Cross manages to break the clinch.
Cross misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pulovic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pulovic is looking for the big counter here.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Pulovic.
Pulovic scores with a one two! Cross had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pulovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Cross moves into the clinch.
Cross is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pulovic can do to turn this around?
Pulovic tries to pull guard but Cross won't allow it.
Cross pushes Pulovic back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cross works on Pulovic's body with a couple of short punches.
Pulovic is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right handed body shot lands from Cross.
Pulovic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cross is defending well.
Green Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darko Pulovic.

Cross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Pulovic in a clinch.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cross is defended easily by Pulovic.
Darko Pulovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Cross clinches up with Pulovic and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cross.

Cross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pulovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Pulovic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Cross moves into the clinch.
Cross lands with a short punch from the clinch.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pulovic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pulovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Cross is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Cross misses the target.

Cross closes the distance and pushes Pulovic back into the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Cross.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Pulovic tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cross is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pulovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cross lands a hook that snaps the head of Pulovic backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pulovic has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Pulovic misses with a takedown attempt
and Cross counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Green Cross dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cross instigates a clinch.
Cross pushes Pulovic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cross goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pulovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cross has him pressed against the cage.
Pulovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Cross won't allow it.
A left hand lands to the body for Cross.
Cross scores with a hook to the body.
Pulovic tries to pull guard but Cross holds him up against the cage and eventually Pulovic drops back down to his feet.

Cross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross rushes Pulovic and presses him up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Cross as the two fighters clinch.
Cross crunches a lovely knee into Pulovic's ribcage.
Pulovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cross has Pulovic pressed against the cage.
Cross lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pulovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cross taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Pulovic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cross is defending well.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Cross gets a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Cross.
Cross lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short right from Cross.
The referee calls for Cross to work.

Cross decides to pull guard.

Cross pushes Pulovic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross clinches up against the cage.
Cross content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cross scores with a shot to the side of Pulovic's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pulovic trying to stall but Cross improves his position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cross lands with a light punch inside.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Pulovic pushes him off.
Pulovic let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Green Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross tries to clinch up.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Pulovic circles away.
Pulovic misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Cross tries to clinch up but Pulovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Pulovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cross.
Pulovic throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Green Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Pulovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pulovic tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pulovic to the ground. Pulovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cross tries to clinch up.
Pulovic is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Pulovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
As Cross backs off Pulovic throws a huge counter combo but Cross manages to avoid it all.
Pulovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross clinches.
Cross tries a knee to the head but Pulovic blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pulovic.
Cross wants a takedown but no success here.
Pulovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pulovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cross slows down the pace here.
Cross lands an elbow inside that Pulovic shrugs off.
Pulovic looking for a takedown.
A hook to the body from Cross.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cross creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Green Cross clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cross tries to clinch up.
Nice takedown defense from Pulovic. No joy for Cross on that attempt.
Cross shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pulovic defends it nicely.
Pulovic throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross clinches up with Pulovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Pulovic tries to break free but Cross pushes him back against the cage.
Pulovic jumps guard but Cross turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pulovic wants to stall.
Cross avoiding damage.
Cross scores with a shot to the side of Pulovic's head.
Cross leaning against his opponent.
Pulovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pulovic letting Cross take a breather here.
Cross trying to land knees to the body.
Pulovic is trying to break free.
Cross presses Pulovic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A hook to the body from Cross.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross has managed to clinch.
Pulovic is looking to control Cross's arms but Cross gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pulovic has his back to the cage.
Cross lands a body punch.
Pulovic is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cross tries to clinch but Pulovic moves out of range.
Pulovic throws a counter combo.
A combination from Pulovic does no damage.

Cross closes the distance and clinches.
Pulovic is trying to force a seperation but Cross has the dominant position.
Pulovic tries to score a body lock takedown but Cross shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cross changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pulovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Green Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cross gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic working hard to break the clinch.
Cross working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Cross lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Pulovic moves into full guard.

Pulovic 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 gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pulovic throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cross stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pulovic tries to pull guard but Cross forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cross missing with knees to the body.

Pulovic jumps guard and drags Cross to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross postures up.
Pulovic 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pulovic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Green Cross had his way with Darko Pulovic in that round.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cross moves into the clinch.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Pulovic pushes him off.
Pulovic appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Cross closes the distance and pushes Pulovic back into the cage.
Pulovic is looking to take this one to the mat.

Cross pulls guard effortlessly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Cross closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cross avoiding damage.
Pulovic wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pulovic is trying to force a seperation but Cross has the dominant position.
Cross stalling.
Pulovic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cross smiles and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Pulovic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cross did well to prevent Pulovic getting side control.

Cross manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Pulovic keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Pulovic is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cross is pushing Pulovic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cross avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic jumps guard but Cross turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Green Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darko Pulovic.
Pulovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cross works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Pulovic tries to pull guard but Cross forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pulovic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cross pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Cross jumps into guard, dragging Pulovic to the mat.
Green Cross overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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 is controlling Pulovic's posture.
Cross knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pulovic on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross keeping full guard, as Pulovic tries to pass.
Pulovic wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Cross is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pulovic is controlling him.

Cross has his feet on Pulovic's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Pulovic throws a series of punches but Cross avoids them all with ease.
Green Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pulovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cross.

Cross moves into the clinch.
Pulovic tries to stall but Cross uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pulovic tries to circle away but Cross has him pinned against the cage.
Good body shot from Cross.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pulovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cross scores with a jab.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pulovic is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Darko Pulovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pulovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pulovic unleashes a big counter combination but Cross bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Green Cross showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cross, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:45
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 50:45
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Green Cross!
An out of breath Green Cross thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.