PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adisa Kenyatta (ranked 4964 p4p, 23837 weight class) and Simon Cross (ranked 475 p4p, 548 weight class). Cross is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Irregular God. Adisa Kenyatta has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kenyatta
vs
Cross

194 cm
22
248
3 - 5 - 0

185 cm
26
257
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adisa Kenyatta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Simon Cross!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cross changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kenyatta looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cross has knee on belly momentarily but Kenyatta bucks him off and regains half guard.

Cross is working for a kimura but Kenyatta is defending it quite comfortably.
Kenyatta wants to control but Cross is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kenyatta is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Cross is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kenyatta has managed to free his arm - good work.

Cross is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross trying to work for an americana but Kenyatta has managed to regain full guard.
Cross preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kenyatta looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kenyatta looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kenyatta!

Cross sneaks back into half guard.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.
Kenyatta wants to pass to mount but Cross is defending the position.
Cross taking some punishment here, with Kenyatta in his half guard.
Kenyatta working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Cross looking for submissions off his back.
Kenyatta seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cross looking for submissions off his back.
Cross is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kenyatta lands a nice short elbow.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cross looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Kenyatta there.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kenyatta connects with a nice short shot to Cross's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cross looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Kenyatta pushes past his half guard into mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross regains half guard.
Cross is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kenyatta scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kenyatta trying to control from half guard but Cross is working away.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kenyatta is trying to control the action in half guard but Cross is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Cross is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kenyatta pulls his head out easily.
Cross has hold of Kenyatta's hands but Kenyatta slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kenyatta wants to control but Cross is keeping him busy.

Cross looking for submissions off his back.
Kenyatta is nestled in close to Cross, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kenyatta landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kenyatta connects with a nice short shot to Cross's temple.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cross looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kenyatta lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kenyatta lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Cross is rocked!

Cross looking for submissions off his back.
Kenyatta seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cross does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kenyatta drops an elbow to the side of Cross's head.
Kenyatta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cross on the ground.

Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cross is looking for a sweep. Kenyatta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cross actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adisa Kenyatta dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cross shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kenyatta sprawls well. Kenyatta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cross gets slowly back to his feet.

Cross closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kenyatta to the mat! Kenyatta manages to get full guard.

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

Kenyatta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cross has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kenyatta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kenyatta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cross utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Adisa Kenyatta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kenyatta lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross looking for a guillotine here but Kenyatta defends easily.

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

Kenyatta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kenyatta trying to control but Cross is working from the bottom.

Cross throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kenyatta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kenyatta postures up in Cross's guard and throws a big left but Cross blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Cross throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kenyatta tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.
Kenyatta lands a couple of elbows.
Kenyatta throwing strikes from guard but Cross blocks nicely.

Cross working for a triangle but Kenyatta defends it easily.

Cross looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenyatta working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cross's head.

Cross has his foot on Kenyatta's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kenyatta works his way back into a safe position though.

Cross is looking for a triangle but Kenyatta pushes his legs off easily.

Cross is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kenyatta is aware though and is defending well.
Kenyatta with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Cross throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Cross looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Kenyatta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kenyatta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kenyatta is looking to work some ground and pound but Cross has wrist control.
Kenyatta tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.

Cross had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kenyatta defends it easily.

Cross looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross wants to sweep here but Kenyatta controlling him for the moment.
Kenyatta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kenyatta distracts Cross with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Cross looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kenyatta wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Cross avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kenyatta got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cross has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kenyatta has managed to get both his arms back between Cross's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kenyatta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Cross is looking for a triangle but Kenyatta pushes his legs off easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Simon Cross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kenyatta tries to clinch but Cross is having none of it.
Cross is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Cross closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kenyatta quickly recovers to half guard.

Cross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kenyatta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cross.

Cross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kenyatta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cross.
Kenyatta trying to control but Cross postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kenyatta sees it coming and defends easily.

Cross is working for a kimura but Kenyatta is defending it quite comfortably.

Cross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kenyatta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Cross wants to work for an arm triangle but Kenyatta is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kenyatta is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.

Kenyatta is defending against the submission attempts here by Cross.
Kenyatta moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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.
Cross stopping the sweep attempt from Kenyatta.
Kenyatta is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cross preventing the sweep.
Cross advances position into side control!
Kenyatta sneaks back into half guard.

Cross is working for a kimura but Kenyatta is defending it quite comfortably.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenyatta is controlling Cross's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Kenyatta wants to control but Cross is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kenyatta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kenyatta is defending against the submission attempts here by Cross.

Cross is working for a submission of some sort.
Kenyatta tries to roll over but Cross keeps him under control.

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.

Cross is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kenyatta is concentrating on defense, preventing Cross from advancing position.

Cross trying to work for an americana but Kenyatta has managed to regain full guard.
Kenyatta throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Cross postures up.
Cross pushing down on Kenyatta's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kenyatta is trying to get back to full guard.

Cross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kenyatta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cross.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kenyatta is defending against the submission attempts here by Cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Cross!
Simon Cross spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.