PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Devon Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cri Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cri Cross has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Devon Paul's chin.

Paul
vs
Cross

210 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Devon Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cri Cross !
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cross rushes Paul and presses him up against the cage.
Paul really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cross looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Paul has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cross uses from the top position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cross is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Paul wriggles free and stands up.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cross as he avoids it easily.
Paul fails with the takedown.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Paul in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Paul regains guard.

Paul manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paul is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devon Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross manages to break the clinch.

Paul clinches with his opponent.

Paul breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paul connects with a looping right hand.

Paul takes the fight into the clinch.
Paul wants to take the fight to the mat but Cross manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Cross gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Paul is trying to get back to full guard.
Paul is working hard here to advance position.
Paul looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul tries to get to full guard but Cross has control of the leg.

Cross is working for a submission of some sort.
Paul is trying to stand up here but Cross is controlling him well.

Paul looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cross missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross is trying to control. Paul wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Paul wants to get back to full guard.
Paul tries to kick Cross off but Cross 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.
Cross throws a big shot that misses.

Paul throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cross tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Paul is in Cross 's guard.
Paul is stalling in the full guard.

Cross is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Paul defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cross working for submissions but it's allowed Paul to get to half guard.
Cross wants to improve his position but Paul is controlling well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Paul dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paul drives through and clinches with Cross against the cage.
Paul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paul avoiding damage.

Cross pulls guard effortlessly.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross wants to sweep here but Paul controlling him for the moment.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cross is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Cross is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Paul defends well.
Paul is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.

That's two 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.

Paul gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Paul has hold of one of Cross 's legs. Cross is fighting the takedown attempt but Paul gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Cross being controlled here, momentarily.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Paul.
Cross trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul controlling from the top position.
Cross looking for a sweep. Not yet Cross , not yet.
Paul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Paul showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cross throws out a leg kick but Paul moves out of range and Cross only half commits.

Cross scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul tries to bench press Cross off him but Cross keeps the position.
Paul tries to escape but Cross is in control.
Cross in side control, throwing shots but Paul defends.
Cross trying to control the position but Paul is working away.
Paul is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Cross is controlling him well.
Paul is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cross is looking to take a break and control but Paul is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paul tries to buck Cross off but Cross is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Devon Paul will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Paul tries to clinch up.
Paul tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Paul rushes Cross and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paul takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Paul throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.
Paul tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Paul darts in looking for a takedown but Cross gets double underhooks and turns Paul into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Paul with that takedown attempt.
Cross throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul darts in and clinches Cross up against the cage.

Paul gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cross regains guard.
Cross is trying to control the position but Paul postures up.
Cross has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Paul has passed into side control.
Paul controlling from side mount.
Cross is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Paul presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Cross can't escape the position.
Paul postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cross looks a forlorn figure.
Paul controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Cross reaches up to try and control the position but Paul seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Cross rolls and tries to escape and now Paul has his back!

Cross defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Paul's arms.
Cross wants to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paul avoiding Cross 's attempts to control his hands.

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.
Paul keeps control of the position easily here as Cross tries to buck him off.

Paul is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Cross has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cross trying to control the position but Paul manages to sink in the hooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Devon Paul showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paul, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Devon Paul!