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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Juji Gatame (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conan Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gatame comes to the cage accompanied by Storm. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 186 cm
32
174 lbs
20 - 8 - 0 |
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174 cm
31
150 lbs
24 - 10 - 1 |
BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Juji Gatame!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
24 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Conan Cross!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Paul Tew.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatame misses with a low kick as Cross jumps back.
Gatame pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cross is out of range and Gatame settles back down.
Cross throws a leg kick but Gatame sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gatame keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gatame bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cross's head backwards.
Gatame misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Gatame missing with a left hand there. Cross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gatame staying out of range there.
Gatame takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cross throws an overhand right that lands on Gatame's shoulder, as Gatame tries to avoid the shot.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Gatame.
Cross takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cross misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatame fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cross checks it well.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gatame as he avoids it easily.
Cross ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cross takes one on the chin but seems OK.
It looks like Conan Cross has been cut.
Gatame scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cross in his tracks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross needs to keep his hands up - Gatame had a free shot at his head there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatame stuffs the takedown.
Gatame checks a leg kick nicely.
Cross throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatame moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Cross fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gatame.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gatame, right into the meat.
Cross connects with the punch.
Cross chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gatame can pounce on him.
Gatame tries a low kick but Cross avoids it.
Cross throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cross slips under a jab from Gatame.
Cross lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gatame will feel that in the morning.
Nice defenses there by Gatame.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cross takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatame shoots in but no luck this time.
Gatame missing with a left hand there. Cross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Conan Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatame lands a glancing blow to the side of Cross's head.
Cross takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gatame is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gatame lands a body shot.
Cross tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gatame is able to avoid easily.
Gatame is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gatame keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gatame darts in looking for a takedown but Cross gets double underhooks and turns Gatame into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juji Gatame. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatame tries to throw a body punch but Cross avoids it by throwing Gatame back against the cage.
Cross lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gatame or not.
Gatame misses with a punch on the inside.
Cross lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cross lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gatame backwards.
Cross wants to break free but Gatame has control.
Cross lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gatame backwards.
Gatame jumps guard and drags Cross to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gatame trying to keep a closed guard but Cross is proving a slippery customer.
Cross is stalling in the full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross postures up.
Cross controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gatame looking for a guillotine here but Cross defends easily.
Gatame had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cross defends it easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gatame throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gatame is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gatame tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cross wants to control from the top but Gatame keeps moving.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Gatame 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Juji Gatame dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
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.
Cross throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gatame stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gatame misses with an uppercut.
Gatame lands an overhand right.
Gatame throws an overhand right that lands on Cross's shoulder, as Cross tries to avoid the shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Cross finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gatame steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cross. That one must have hurt.
Gatame throws a leg kick
and Cross counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gatame won't be happy with that.
Cross trying to control the position but Gatame is working away.
Gatame wants to control but Cross postures up.
Gatame is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cross connects with a decent elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gatame is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatame is trying to work for a sweep but Cross has mounted him!
Gatame keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cross trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gatame is working to get back to half guard.
Cross sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Gatame regains half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross is just content to waste time from the top position. Gatame takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Gatame has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cross can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cross wants to control from the top but Gatame keeps moving.
Cross lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cross trying to control but Gatame is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gatame is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cross defends well.
Cross stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gatame swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gatame keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jab by Gatame.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cross is looking to slow Gatame down with leg kicks.
Cross on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cross checks a low kick from Gatame.
Cross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd cheers as Cross lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gatame doesn't seem phased though.
Cross looks to land a body kick but Gatame moved away.
Cross throws a push kick but Gatame slaps the foot to one side.
Gatame throws a chopping leg kick but Cross manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gatame throws a hook to the side of Cross's head but Cross sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cross lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big right from Gatame misses.
Cross lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gatame takes a step back to recover.
Gatame lands with an uppercut that bounces Cross off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Conan Cross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Conan Cross's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Gatame throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cross.
Cross thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gatame if he has to take too many more of those.
Cross finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gatame feints and then cracks Cross's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cross down.
Cross lands with a hook. Gatame tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cross connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gatame. Gatame circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cross throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Juji Gatame is winning the standup battle so far.
Cross slips a jab from Gatame.
A jab from Cross misses.
Gatame dips to his left and cracks Cross with an uppercut!
Gatame throws a leg kick but Cross checks it.
Cross scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gatame throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cross counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gatame won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cross is looking to take a break and control but Gatame is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cross passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Gatame!
We've been hearing good reports from Gatame's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatame slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gatame blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cross.
Cross is just content to waste time from the top position. Gatame takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Gatame is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Cross rolls with it to try and escape but Gatame cranks on the arm and Cross is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Juji Gatame!
Juji Gatame retains his welterweight title!
After the fight, Juji Gatame was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
45% |
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