PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rob Gross (ranked 4512 p4p, 444 weight class) and Cezare Borgia (ranked 3108 p4p, 338 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gross
vs
Borgia

181 cm
20
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
20
158 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

One stop shop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Gross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cezare Borgia!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gross scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Some wild striking there from Gross.
Rob Gross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gross stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gross wants it to stay on the feet.
Gross appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Borgia slips a jab and a cross from Gross.
Gross tries to land a body kick

and Borgia counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gross won't be happy with that.
Borgia remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Gross wants to get back to his feet.
Gross trying to remain calm as Borgia controls from the top position.
Gross pushes Borgia away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borgia gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Borgia tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gross is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Borgia is controlling him well.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Gross pushes Borgia away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borgia gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Borgia creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gross sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gross is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Borgia has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borgia slows the pace down.
More stalling from Borgia.
Gross looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gross is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Borgia is controlling him well.
Borgia takes a little break here. Gross wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gross is trying to buck Borgia off.
Borgia controls the position.

That's two 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.
Gross is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Borgia asserts his dominance and retains side control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Borgia looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gross is being controlled here.
Gross wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Borgia wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gross keeps working.
Gross is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Borgia asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Gross on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gross tries to get out of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gross scores with a three punch combo!
Gross scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
No joy there for Gross, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Borgia changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Gross.
Gross misses with a few strikes there.
Borgia takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A combination from Gross does no damage.
Gross misses with a combination

and Borgia counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gross won't be happy with that.
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!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Borgia has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gross is trying to buck Borgia off.
Gross trying to remain calm as Borgia controls from the top position.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet.
Gross being controlled for a moment.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Borgia advances nicely into full mount.
Borgia controlling the pace for now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gross is trying to stand up.
Borgia controlling the position easily from mount.
It looks like Borgia might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Gross's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Borgia lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Borgia landing strikes from the mount.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gross is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Borgia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Borgia is continuing to stall.
Borgia has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gross's face.
Borgia has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gross's face.
Gross's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Borgia tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Borgia lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Borgia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Gross really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Borgia forces the positional change into back control.
Borgia scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Gross is trying to stand back up.
Borgia keeps control of the position easily here as Gross tries to buck him off.
The adventures of Borgia the control monster continue. Boring.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but Borgia has full control of the position and if anything, Gross has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Borgia controls the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Borgia lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Borgia biding his time, looking for the opening.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Borgia is riding his opponent, not letting Gross buck him off.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Borgia.

Borgia tightening his grip on Gross, looking for the choke.
Borgia lands strikes to the head.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but Borgia has full control of the position and if anything, Gross has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Borgia really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Gross.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gross is trying to stand back up.
Borgia is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Gross is trying to get back to his feet but Borgia has full control of the position and if anything, Gross has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Borgia looking for the choke but no joy.
Borgia biding his time, looking for the opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gross throws a combination. Borgia tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Borgia is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Borgia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gross lands a head shot.
Gross lands a two punch combo.
A combination from Gross does no damage.
Gross fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gross throws a nice looking combination but Borgia bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gross throws a combination that misses

and Borgia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gross's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Borgia content to stall in guard here.
Gross wants to stand and escape but Borgia is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Borgia keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gross's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gross is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Borgia is controlling him.
Borgia makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Borgia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gross is keeping the position for now.
Borgia is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Borgia won't allow Gross to get back to his feet.
Borgia's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Borgia looking to pass the guard.
Gross is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Borgia is controlling him.
Gross keeping full guard, as Borgia tries to pass.
Borgia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Borgia works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Borgia keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gross is trying to stand back up but Borgia is controlling him
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Borgia in particular looking to stall.
Borgia trying to pass the guard but Gross defending well.
Gross wants to get back to his feet.
Borgia keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Gross tries to kick Borgia off but Borgia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gross stalks Borgia and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Borgia's face. Borgia staggers backwards, shaken.
Gross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Borgia looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Gross.
Borgia takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gross lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gross.
Borgia fails to land the takedown.
Nice shot by Gross.
Gross tries a head kick but it misses.
Borgia dodges the punch combination from Gross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borgia dodges the punch combination from Gross.
Gross throws a left and a right that both miss

and Borgia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gross's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Borgia wants to pass the guard but Gross is keeping the position.
Borgia controlling from the top position.
Gross is looking to stand up but Borgia isn't so interested in that idea.
Borgia makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Borgia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Borgia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gross is keeping the position for now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gross is looking to stand up but Borgia isn't so interested in that idea.
Gross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Borgia.

Borgia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Borgia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gross is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Borgia slips nicely into half guard.

Gross has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Borgia is on him like a limpet, forcing Gross back against the cage.
Borgia drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gross prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rob Gross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cezare Borgia.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Borgia has hold of one of Gross's legs. Gross is fighting the takedown attempt but Borgia gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Borgia 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.
Gross wants to stand and escape but Borgia is having none of it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Borgia 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.
Gross is looking to stand up but Borgia isn't so interested in that idea.

Gross pushes Borgia off and scrambles back to his feet.
Borgia tries to move into range but Gross moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Borgia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gross's waist but Gross gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Borgia off to one side.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gross tries to bum rush Borgia with a series of wild strikes but Borgia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Borgia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gross throws a series of punches but Borgia avoids them all with ease.
Borgia closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gross misses with a combination

and Borgia counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gross won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Borgia wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gross, who protects the arm well.
Borgia remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Gross is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Borgia tries to advance to mount but can't.
Gross is being controlled here.
Gross pushes Borgia away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borgia gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Cezare Borgia has got the better of the ground game so far.
Borgia just content to control the position.
Gross wants to get back to his feet.
Borgia is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Gross wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Borgia tries for a kimura but Gross is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Gross dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gross smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gross throws a combination that misses

and Borgia counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Still in half guard, Borgia seems content to control.
Gross pushes Borgia off looking to stand but Borgia dives back in and keeps control.
Still in half guard, Borgia seems content to control.
Gross is trying to stand.
Borgia seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gross is looking to escape.
Borgia trying to mount his opponent but Gross defends it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Borgia is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gross is looking to escape.
Borgia takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Borgia is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gross doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Borgia.
Borgia is controlling the pace.
Gross is trying to stand.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gross misses with a double jab

and Borgia counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgia is staying tight to Gross's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Borgia with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Gross pushes Borgia away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borgia gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A lull in the action here as Borgia stalls from top position.
Borgia trying to control the position but Gross is working away.
Borgia controls the position.

Gross throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Gross tries to land a body kick

and Borgia counters with a shoot takedown. Gross fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gross wants to stand and escape but Borgia is having none of it.
Borgia controlling from the top position.
Borgia prevents Gross from getting back to his feet.
Gross keeping full guard, as Borgia tries to pass.
Borgia not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gross is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Borgia 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gross swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Borgia counters with a takedown into side control.
Gross pushes Borgia away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borgia gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borgia tries to advance to mount but Gross denies him.
Gross seems a little lost for a moment, as Borgia dominates the positioning.
Borgia trying to control the position but Gross is working away.
Gross is pushing Borgia's head away, looking to escape. Borgia manages to hold on to the position though.
Borgia moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gross is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Borgia asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gross trying to remain calm as Borgia controls from the top position.
Borgia lands a few punches from side control.
Borgia controlling from side mount.
Gross wants to get back to his feet.
Check out the look on Borgia's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Borgia has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Gross!
Borgia controlling his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Borgia postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gross looks a forlorn figure.
Gross is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Borgia with a couple of short strikes.
Borgia controlling his opponent.
Gross is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Borgia controlling the pace for now.
Borgia trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gross squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Borgia takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gross wants to try and get back to his feet.
Borgia controlling his opponent.
Gross is trying to stand.
Borgia looking to control and managing it successfully.
Gross's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Borgia controlling the pace for now.
Gross is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Borgia takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gross wants to get back to his feet.
Borgia controlling from the full mount.
Yet more stalling tactics from Borgia.
Gross is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Borgia controlling from mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gross squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Borgia looking to control and managing it successfully.
Gross is trying to stand.
Borgia controlling the pace for now.
Gross is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Cezare Borgia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Borgia postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gross looks a forlorn figure.
Gross is trying to stand up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Borgia looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rob Gross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Cezare Borgia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Borgia 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Cezare Borgia!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Cezare Borgia!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Cezare Borgia!

Cezare Borgia wins by unanimous decision!