PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clyde Gerke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gerke is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Krs one - Step into a world . This should be a great matchup!

Cross
vs
Gerke

175 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Clyde Gerke!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Gerke shoots in for a takedown but Cross shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Gerke as Cross shoots in.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gerke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gerke tries to close the distance and clinch but Cross swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gerke tries to clinch up.
Cross shoots for a double leg takedown but Gerke sprawls well. He's pushed Cross's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gerke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Cross clinches up against the cage.
Cross could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cross is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Gerke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gerke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Gerke is working an open guard so Cross takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gerke avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerke is looking to break free of the clinch but Cross has double underhooks.
Cross is pressed up against the cage. Gerke has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cross down to the mat. Cross avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cross is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gerke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cross tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gerke swivels and escapes.
Cross keeps the fight on the outside.
Cross swats away the attempt to clinch by Gerke.

Cross gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gerke to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gerke wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Gerke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cross looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerke throws a big right hand that misses.

Gerke gets to his feet. Cross looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Gerke darts in and clinches Cross up 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!
Gerke is pressed up against the cage. Cross has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gerke down to the mat. Gerke avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cross blocks a head kick by Gerke.
Cross swats away the attempt to clinch by Gerke.
Gerke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cross fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Gerke is looking to clinch.
Cross fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Gerke. Gerke gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross shoots in and drives through. Gerke sprawls well.
Gerke doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Gerke wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cross.

Cross gets tackled into the cage by Gerke. Gerke maintains the clinch.

Cross successfully pulls guard.
Gerke pushes down on Cross's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cross wants to control but Gerke is keeping busy.
Gerke performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gerke is looking for a kimura but Cross is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gerke to get the leverage.
Gerke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.

Gerke decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Cross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gerke closes the distance but Cross moves to the side
and Cross counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gerke wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clyde Gerke dominated that round.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cross checks a leg kick nicely.
Cross wants to clinch up but Gerke keeps it at a distance.
Jason Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cross tries to keep at a distance but Gerke has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cross has Gerke pushed against the cage.

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

Gerke clinches up against the cage.
Gerke fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cross is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cross throws an elbow that misses.
Gerke jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cross walks away with a smile on his face. Gerke gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gerke looks for a takedown but Cross sprawls well.
Jason Cross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clyde Gerke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gerke wants to clinch

and Cross counters by moving into the clinch.
Gerke misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Cross wants the takedown. Gerke is fighting it off but Cross persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Gerke's guard against the cage.

Gerke 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.

Gerke escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Cross drops back looking for a leg! Gerke is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gerke manages to kick Cross off! Cross jumps back into Gerke's guard.
Cross postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gerke is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cross is aware though and is defending well.
Cross wants to control from the top but Gerke keeps moving.

Gerke throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Cross escapes and throws Gerke's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Cross swings around for an armbar but Gerke sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cross's guard.
Cross trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gerke is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cross managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cross is looking for a triangle but Gerke pushes his legs off easily.
Gerke must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gerke trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gerke tries to free his leg and advance position but Cross is retaining full guard.
Cross thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gerke would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gerke is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gerke gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gerke wants to control from the top but Cross keeps moving.
Gerke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cross is keeping the position for now.
Gerke trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cross's guard.
Cross pulls Gerke in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gerke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Clyde Gerke will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Gerke looks for a takedown but Cross sprawls well.
Cross fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gerke avoids it really well and circles away.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cross looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cross is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gerke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Clyde Gerke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gerke throws a wild body kick that Cross sees coming a mile off.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cross wants to clinch up but Gerke keeps it at a distance.
Gerke tries to clinch up but Cross circles away and keeps his distance.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cross tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerke wants to clinch.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cross misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Gerke. Gerke gets slowly back to his feet.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross dives in and grabs Gerke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gerke pushes down on Cross's head and hops out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gerke as he avoids it easily.
Jason Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gerke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gerke lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gerke misses with a takedown attempt - Cross sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Cross gets tackled into the cage by Gerke. Gerke maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerke jumps guard but Cross turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Cross pulls guard effortlessly.
Gerke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gerke is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gerke trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gerke drops back looking for a leg! Cross is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cross manages to kick Gerke off! Gerke jumps back into Cross's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Gerke is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cross escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gerke gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gerke stands up and waves to Cross to follow him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gerke.
Jason Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clyde Gerke is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gerke is trying to break free.
Cross jumps guard but Gerke stands there with Cross around his waist. Cross gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gerke is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cross pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Gerke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gerke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Clyde Gerke has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gerke looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gerke has his foot on Cross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cross works his way back into a safe position though.
Cross is working Gerke over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clyde Gerke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gerke has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

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