PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Stifiler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cross has chosen Adrenaline as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stifiler
vs
Cross

183 cm
22
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

White Gorilla Nutrition

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Stifiler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Cross!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stifiler. That did some damage!

Stifiler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stifiler lands in his opponent's guard.

Cross pushes Stifiler off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Stifiler shoots for a double leg takedown but Cross sprawls well. He's pushed Stifiler's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cross throws a sloppy head kick and Stifiler moves out of range easily.
Cross looks gassed!
Stifiler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stifiler tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Stifiler tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Stifiler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross lands a head kick. Stifiler smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Cross throws a head kick that half lands.

Cross clinches up with Stifiler and pushes him back against the cage.
Stifiler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cross just stands there and leans against the cage.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stifiler closes the distance and clinches up with Cross, looking for a takedown. Stifiler pushes Cross against the cage but Cross circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cross lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross connects with a high kick.
Stifiler wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.
Cross lands with a slapping head kick.
Stifiler closes the distance but Cross moves to the side
and Cross counters with a head kick. That will keep Stifiler thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
David Cross is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cross digs a good hook to Stifiler's body.
Stifiler fails with a takedown attempt.
Cross fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stifiler.

Stifiler pushes Cross up against the cage in a clinch.
Cross stalling in the clinch but Stifiler improves position.
Stifiler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cross is struggling to control the position.
Stifiler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cross pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Stifiler pulls guard.
Stifiler on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stifiler tries to get out of the position.
Cross won't allow Stifiler to get back to his feet.
Stifiler looking for a sweep. Not yet Stifiler, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross stands and steps away. Stifiler gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Cross throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Stifiler tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cross counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stifiler is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stifiler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cross tries to avoid it but Stifiler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cross to the ground. Cross escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Cross has closed the distance and engaged Stifiler in a clinch.

Stifiler jumps guard.
Stifiler is looking to sweep but instead, Cross has passed into half guard.
Stifiler misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Cross tries to stand but can't do so whilst Stifiler controls his leg.
Stifiler is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stifiler tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Stifiler wants to improve his position but Cross is controlling well.
Cross tries to stand and escape but Stifiler actually recovers to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stifiler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stifiler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Cross lands a head kick!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Cross.
Cross throws a head kick that Stifiler semi-blocks.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cross as he jumps to the side.
Cross moves in looking to clinch but Stifiler pushes him off.

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.
Cross throws a head kick but Stifiler moves out of range.
Stifiler fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cross on the side of the head.
Stifiler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cross as he avoids it easily.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown but Cross shows good takedown defense.
Steven Stifiler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stifiler shoots for a double leg takedown but Cross sprawls well. He's pushed Stifiler's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Cross. That snapped Stifiler's head back.
Cross lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cross misses with a two punch combination.
Cross throws a head kick that Stifiler semi-blocks.
Stifiler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Stifiler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cross looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross dominated that round.
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 scores with a one two! Stifiler had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Stifiler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
Stifiler shoots in for a double leg but Cross sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cross throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stifiler's head.
Stifiler on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cross. Cross obviously looking to wear him down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cross.
Cross wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A slow jab from Stifiler misses its intended target.

Stifiler clinches with his opponent.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cross.

Cross breaks from the clinch.
Stifiler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cross swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Stifiler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stifiler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cross is fending him off so far but Stifiler persists. Nope, Cross circles away and we're back to standing.
Stifiler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stifiler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stifiler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cross pinned against the cage. Cross gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stifiler misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cross lands a nice looking body kick.
Stifiler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stifiler blocks a head kick by Cross.
Stifiler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stifiler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cross.
Stifiler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cross is fending him off so far but Stifiler persists. Nope, Cross circles away and we're back to standing.
Cross lands with a nice body kick.
Steven Stifiler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stifiler ducks right into an uppercut from Cross.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown but Cross shows good takedown defense.
Cross tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stifiler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cross tries to avoid it but Stifiler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cross to the ground. Cross escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Cross as Stifiler shoots in.
Cross lands a jab-cross combination.
Stifiler tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cross throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stifiler tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross lands a head kick!
Stifiler scores with a decent looking hook.
Cross lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cross as he jumps to the side.
Stifiler ducks right into an uppercut from Cross.
Stifiler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stifiler shoots in and drives through. Cross sprawls well.
A solid body kick from Cross.
Cross lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cross throws a head kick that misses.
Stifiler tries to clinch but Cross moves out of range.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stifiler.
Horrible takedown by Stifiler or perhaps it was just good defense by Cross which made him look bad.
Stifiler wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.
Cross thows a body kick. Stifiler tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stifiler scores with the left hand. Cross knows he should have avoided that one.
A head kick from Cross lands but Stifiler takes it in his stride.
Cross scoring well with a low kick there.
Cross throws a head kick that Stifiler semi-blocks.
Stifiler will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Stifiler takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Stifiler doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cross on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cross connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cross misses with a few strikes there.
Stifiler shoots in but no luck this time.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stifiler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cross stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stifiler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Stifiler wants to clinch.

Cross instigates a clinch.
Stifiler looking for a takedown.
Stalling in the clinch from Cross.
Stifiler tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stifiler tries to pull guard but Cross holds him up against the cage and eventually Stifiler drops back down to his feet.
Stifiler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cross gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stifiler stalls.
Stifiler drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cross gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Stifiler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cross connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cross keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stifiler shoots in but Cross avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Cross clinches with his opponent.
Stifiler has Cross pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cross manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Stifiler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cross unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stifiler lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stifiler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stifiler tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cross smiles and moves away.
Stifiler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cross lands a jab to Stifiler's midsection.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.
Cross connects with the punch.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cross as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stifiler tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stifiler has clasped his hands together around Cross's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cross is not content to let Stifiler control the position.
Stifiler connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cross some visible discomfort.
Stifiler cracks Cross with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Cross manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Cross prevents Stifiler from improving his position.

Cross escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stifiler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Cross.
Stifiler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cross but Cross pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stifiler shoots in but no luck this time.
Cross slips under a jab from Stifiler.
Nice takedown defense from Cross. No joy for Stifiler on that attempt.
Cross throws a sloppy head kick and Stifiler moves out of range easily.
Stifiler shoots in but Cross avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stifiler has a takedown stuffed.
Stifiler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
David Cross seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stifiler takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stifiler.
Stifiler throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cross's waist but Cross gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stifiler off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cross throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stifiler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stifiler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stifiler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cross pinned against the cage. Cross gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stifiler tries to bum rush Cross with a series of wild strikes but Cross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stifiler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cross pinned against the cage. Cross gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A left and a right from Cross both land. Nice combination.
Cross stuffs the takedown attempt from Stifiler. Stifiler gets slowly back to his feet.
Stifiler throws and low kick but Cross moves out of range easily.
Cross is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stifiler fails with the takedown.
Stifiler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cross circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stifiler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cross feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stifiler's calf.
Stifiler shoots in but Cross avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cross lands with a slapping head kick.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Stifiler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cross has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Stifiler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cross pinned against the cage. Cross gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cross swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Cross gets a clinch.
Stifiler lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cross.
Steven Stifiler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cross is trying to break free.
Stifiler fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stifiler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cross prevents it.
Stifiler drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cross gets the underhooks and prevents it.
David Cross is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
David Cross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cross 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 Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Cross!