PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frederick Van Den Broeck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cross is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The New Black by Every Time I Die. David Cross has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Van Den Broeck
vs
Cross

195 cm
23
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

191 cm
20
210 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frederick Van Den Broeck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Cross!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross defending well as Van Den Broeck loads up on a big left hand.
Cross takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cross looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cross tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Den Broeck swivels and escapes.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Den Broeck tries to sprawl out of it but Cross keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Den Broeck manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Cross bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Van Den Broeck tries to escape but Cross is in control.

Cross tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cross has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Cross tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Van Den Broeck wants to get back to his feet but Cross drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cross.
Van Den Broeck wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Cross stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Cross drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Van Den Broeck wants to get back to his feet but Cross drags him back down.
Van Den Broeck knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cross on the ground.

Cross tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cross looks gassed!
Van Den Broeck tries to escape but Cross is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Cross has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Cross moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Van Den Broeck jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Van Den Broeck throws out the jab.
Cross shoots in and drives through. Van Den Broeck sprawls well.
Frederick Van Den Broeck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Cross.
Cross tries for a takedown but Van Den Broeck sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cross shoots in but Van Den Broeck avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Van Den Broeck.
Van Den Broeck ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Van Den Broeck throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.
David Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Den Broeck misses with a hook. Cross ducked under it nicely.
Cross lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Van Den Broeck scores with the left hand. Cross knows he should have avoided that one.
Cross slips a straight right by Van Den Broeck.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Den Broeck tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Den Broeck to the ground. Van Den Broeck escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Van Den Broeck.
Van Den Broeck misses with a body kick.
Van Den Broeck throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van Den Broeck circles away.
Van Den Broeck misses with a series of wild punches.
Van Den Broeck is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Cross fails with an attempt to clinch.
Van Den Broeck moves away from the strike by Cross.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cross on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cross gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A slow jab from Van Den Broeck misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but David Cross will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Den Broeck throws a good cross that connects.
Van Den Broeck throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cross stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.
Cross looks to throw the jab but Van Den Broeck is out of range.
A combination from Van Den Broeck does no damage.
Van Den Broeck smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Van Den Broeck catches Cross with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
David Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross moves forwards but Van Den Broeck connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Van Den Broeck works the jab nicely.
Cross fails to land the takedown.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Cross needs to keep his hands up - Van Den Broeck had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Van Den Broeck throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cross misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Van Den Broeck.
Van Den Broeck scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cross misses with a straight right.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Van Den Broeck as he jumps to the side.
Frederick Van Den Broeck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Cross.
Van Den Broeck swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cross counters with a single leg into guard. Van Den Broeck didn't expect that.
Van Den Broeck wants to stand but Cross is controlling the position.
Cross stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Den Broeck swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Den Broeck wants to get back to his feet but Cross is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross gets to his feet - Van Den Broeck follows without any prompting.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
A clash of legs there as Cross blocks the low kick.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.
Cross slips a straight right by Van Den Broeck.
Van Den Broeck with a hook.
Van Den Broeck will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Cross fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Van Den Broeck sprawls well initially but Cross persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cross.
Cross with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Van Den Broeck blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cross.
Van Den Broeck on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Van Den Broeck tries to get out of the position.
Cross stops Van Den Broeck from getting back to his feet.
Cross not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cross is keen to just control but Van Den Broeck is a slippery customer.
Cross prevents Van Den Broeck from standing back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No joy there for Cross, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cross swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Van Den Broeck counters with a right hand to the body.
Cross with a poor takedown
and Van Den Broeck cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cross misses with a takedown
and Van Den Broeck counters with an outside leg kick.

Cross looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cross controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cross trying to control but Van Den Broeck is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross won't allow Van Den Broeck to get back to his feet.
Van Den Broeck is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Cross dives into side 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 Frederick Van Den Broeck will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Cross lands with an uppercut that bounces Van Den Broeck off the cage and back into rage.
Frederick Van Den Broeck is winning the standup battle so far.
Cross is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Cross misses with a series of wild punches.
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van Den Broeck circles away.
Van Den Broeck looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Van Den Broeck throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Den Broeck uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cross has time to react.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Van Den Broeck swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cross looks to land a combination. Van Den Broeck sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cross misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Van Den Broeck scores with a jab to the head.
Cross thows a body shot but no joy.
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Den Broeck manages to avoid it.
Cross staying out of range there.

Cross closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cross lands in his opponent's guard.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck wants to stand but Cross is controlling the position.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Den Broeck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Den Broeck is looking to stand up but Cross isn't so interested in that idea.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Den Broeck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross prevents Van Den Broeck from getting back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cross throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Van Den Broeck counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck lands a two punch combo.
Cross tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Den Broeck swivels and escapes.
Frederick Van Den Broeck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Cross.
Cross checks a leg kick.
Cross with a poor takedown
and Van Den Broeck counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Cross gets the takedown into side control.
Cross trying to control the position but Van Den Broeck is working away.
Van Den Broeck is trying to get back to his feet.
Cross controlling the position from side mount.
David Cross has got the better of the ground game so far.

Cross is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Van Den Broeck knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Den Broeck is trying to buck Cross off.

Cross tries for a kimura but Van Den Broeck is defending well.

Cross stands up and beckons Van Den Broeck to his feet.
Van Den Broeck throws a right hand that Cross ducks under and follows up with a left that Cross also avoids with ease.
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Van Den Broeck circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Cross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Cross!