PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cri Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergio Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Diaz's choice of entrance music: Gasolina. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cross
vs
Diaz

200 cm
21
150 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

172 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Cri Cross !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sergio Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Diaz shoots in and bounces Cross off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Diaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cross swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Diaz 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.

Diaz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cross is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Diaz has picked Cross up and slammed him! Cross can't keep hold of the triangle and Diaz manages to pass to side control!

Diaz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Diaz trying to control the position but Cross is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Diaz trying to control the action but Cross is working from the bottom.

Diaz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Diaz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Diaz trying to control the position but Cross is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cross is looking for a sweep.
Cross is working hard here to advance position.
My spies in Gorilla Warfare MMA inform me that Diaz has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Diaz working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cross is looking for a sweep.

Diaz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cross is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cross tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Diaz wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.

Diaz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Diaz is trying to get an arm triangle but Cross is defending well.

Diaz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cross is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Diaz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diaz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

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.

Diaz tries for a kimura but Cross is defending well.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cross keeps working.
Cross is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Diaz working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cross being controlled for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Diaz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Diaz shoots in but no luck this time.
Cross uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diaz.
Cross throws a series of strikes that have Diaz backpedaling.
Diaz throws a sloppy head kick
and Cross counters with a left and a right that stings Diaz.
No luck for Cross with that takedown attempt.
Cross dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Diaz shoots in and drives through. Cross sprawls well.
Diaz throws a head kick but Cross moves out of range.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Diaz paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Diaz fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Cross to the ground. Diaz is now in Cross 's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz controls from within his opponent's guard.

Diaz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cross dives on top into guard.

Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is adopting a defensive guard.

Cross stands and steps away. Diaz gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Cross fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cri Cross . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Diaz drives through with a takedown into Cross 's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Diaz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Diaz pushes down on Cross 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cross 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 won't allow Diaz to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz is keen to just control but Cross is a slippery customer.
Diaz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Diaz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cross is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.
Diaz is keen to just control but Cross is a slippery customer.

Diaz wants to work for an arm triangle but Cross is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross is not content to let Diaz control the position.

Diaz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cross has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cross gets full guard.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
Diaz passes Cross 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Diaz takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Diaz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz is looking to advance position but Cross won't allow it.
Cross is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Diaz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cross is trying to control but can't.
Cross keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Diaz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cross defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sergio Diaz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Diaz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Diaz fails with the takedown.
Diaz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cross fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diaz as he jumps to the side.

Diaz gets a double leg takedown into Cross 's guard.
Cross wants to sweep here but Diaz controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.

Cross looking for a guillotine here but Diaz defends easily.
Diaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Cross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cross is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Diaz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cross manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Diaz has Cross in his guard.

Diaz wants to sweep but no luck.
Cross trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Diaz has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cross 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 Diaz.

Cross stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diaz shoots in and gets a takedown into Cross 's guard.
Diaz wants to pass the guard but Cross is keeping the position.
Diaz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cross looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Diaz pushing down on Cross 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Diaz trying to mount his opponent but Cross defends it.
Diaz prevents Cross from improving his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cross is just riding it out for now. Diaz eventually gives up the hold.
Cross wants to control but Diaz is keeping busy.
Diaz wants to take a breather but Cross is having none of it.
Diaz content to control rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cross trying to hold on to Diaz's head to control him but Diaz postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergio Diaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Diaz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergio Diaz!
Sergio Diaz decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.