PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Janus Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacque Strap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Janus Cross has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cross
vs
Strap

150 cm
22
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
24
167 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Syndicate Drugs
White Gorilla Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Janus Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacque Strap!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross fails to land the takedown.
Cross shoots for a double leg takedown but Strap sprawls well. He's pushed Cross's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Strap misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Cross shoots for a takedown but Strap saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janus Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Strap breaks from the clinch.
Cross shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No joy there for Strap, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cross shoots in and drives through. Strap sprawls well.

Strap closes the distance and pushes Cross back into the cage.
Strap lands an elbow just above Cross 's eye.

It looks like Janus Cross has been cut.
Strap content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strap smiles and moves away.
A jab lands there for Strap.
Cross dodges the punch combination from Strap.
Strap fails in his attempt to clinch.

Strap has Cross up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strap is pressed up against the cage. Cross has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Strap down to the mat. Strap avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Strap has managed to clinch.
Cross drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strap gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Strap unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cross lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A short right from Strap.

Strap escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Cross shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Strap is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross avoids the attempt from Strap to control.

Cross jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Strap is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Strap and Cross has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Strap manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strap moves into full guard.
Strap is looking to stand up but Cross isn't so interested in that idea.
Strap looking to control.
Strap controlling the position.

Cross is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Strap is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Strap has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cross has an active guard here but Strap has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strap not doing much here.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Strap passes into side control, despite Cross's attempt to control the position.

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.
Strap taking a breather here.

Strap decides to stand back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cross wants a takedown but no success here.
Strap stalls.

Strap manages to pull guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strap works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cross tries to free his leg and advance position but Strap is retaining full guard.
Cross sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Strap's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacque Strap dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Janus Cross's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Strap tries to clinch up but Cross circles away and keeps his distance.

Strap scores with a takedown into Cross's guard.

Cross working for a triangle but Strap defends it easily.

Cross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strap doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strap manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cross looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cross is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Strap decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strap connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Cross to the floor! Strap dives in looking for the finish!
Cross might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cross has a hand on Strap's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Strap takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Cross is trying to escape the mount.
Strap tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cross tries to hold on but Strap postures up.
Cross tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strap content just to control the position here.
Let's hope that Strap 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.
Cross tries to hold on but Strap pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strap controlling from mount.
Cross throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Cross can't escape the position.
Strap is a very stocky fighter. Infact he's such a weird shape that he's almost like some sort of comedy character - it's hard to believe he's real.
Strap tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Strap avoids the attempt from Cross to control.
Strap content just to control the position here.
Cross is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacque Strap showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Janus Cross's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Strap paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Strap buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Strap finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice body kick from Strap.
Strap looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Strap wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.
Strap works over Cross's head and body with a nice combination.

Strap clinches up against the cage.
Strap taking a breather.
Strap unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cross lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cross being controlled against the cage.
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!
Strap throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strap smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strap throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Strap tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Strap throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Strap lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cross backs up against the cage.

Janus Cross's cut is getting worse.
Strap has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Strap moves into range and clinches up with Cross.
Cross has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strap avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janus Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Strap pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strap connects with a high kick.
Cross shoots in for a double leg but Strap sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Strap throws a head kick that Cross semi-blocks.
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!
Strap throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross takes the fight into the clinch.
Strap is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strap smiles and moves away.
Janus Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Strap can pounce on him.
Strap tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Cross counters with a shoot takedown. Strap fights it but they end up in guard.
Cross advances to half guard.
Strap is in trouble now - Cross has advanced to mount!
Cross can't control as he wanted to and Strap manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

Cross is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cross is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Strap defends it well.

Strap pushes Cross off and gets back to his feet.
Cross shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strap pinned against the cage. Strap gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Strap throws a leg kick which misses Cross's front leg but catches the back leg as Cross tries to avoid it.
Strap misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Strap closes the distance but Cross moves to the side

and Cross counters with a takedown into side control.

Cross tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Strap regains half guard, as Cross was trying to land strikes.
Strap tries to kick Cross off but Cross keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross wants to control but Strap is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacque Strap really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Janus Cross's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cross avoids the head kick by Strap.
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strap but Strap pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Strap fails with an attempt to clinch.
Strap scores with the left hand. Cross knows he should have avoided that one.
Strap misses with a two punch combination.
Strap clinches but Cross breaks the clinch

and Cross counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Cross is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Strap has managed to free his arm - good work.

Cross seems to be working for a kimura but Strap defends the submission attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strap keeps working.
Cross working the head and body with strikes.
Strap wants to get back to full guard.

Cross is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Strap works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Strap is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Strap is on top in guard.
Cross 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.
Cross is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cross has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Strap is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Cross.

Strap decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cross to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strap chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A nice combination there by Strap.
Cross shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janus Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strap tries to clinch up

and Cross counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Strap's guard now.
Cross wants to control from the top but Strap keeps moving.

Cross is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Strap is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Strap has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Strap's chin but Strap turns very nicely into Cross's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Strap.

Cross looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Strap passes into half guard.
Strap passes the guard and advances to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Janus Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Janus Cross's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Strap throws a right and a left that both miss.
Strap fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross shoots in looking for a takedown. Strap tries to sprawl out of it but Cross keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strap manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Strap feints and then cracks Cross's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cross down.

Strap rushes Cross and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Strap.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cross tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strap smiles and moves away.
Strap is looking to clinch.
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strap but Strap pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janus Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strap thumps Cross with a low kick.
Strap lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nice shot by Strap.
Strap is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Strap is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Strap has managed to clinch.
Strap lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Strap wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Strap's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cross closes the distance and clinches up with Strap, looking for a takedown. Cross pushes Strap against the cage but Strap circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jacque Strap seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strap with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Strap throws a head kick that misses.
Cross doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Strap counters with a nice leg kick.
Cross gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strap tries to avoid it but Cross manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strap to the ground. Strap escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strap. That's going to slow Cross down.

Strap closes the distance and clinches.
Cross prevents Strap from breaking the clinch.
Cross fails to pull guard.
Cross blocks an elbow strike from Strap.

Strap breaks the clinch.
Strap tests Cross's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strap but Strap pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cross is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cross takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Strap is looking to clinch but Cross is avoiding it.
Strap tries to clinch but Cross moves out of range.
Jacque Strap seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross shoots for a double leg takedown but Strap sprawls well. He's pushed Cross's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strap throws a series of punches but Cross avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Strap as Cross shoots in.
Strap tries to clinch but Cross moves away

and Cross counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Strap's guard now.

Cross drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Strap manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cross has Strap in his guard.
Cross looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jacque Strap is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cross is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Strap stands up from Cross's guard - Strap perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross gets caught flat footed, as Strap shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Strap avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cross has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strap can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Strap wants to stand but Cross is controlling his posture from full guard.
Janus Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cross had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Strap is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Cross Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Strap's back instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacque Strap comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strap 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Peck scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacque Strap!