This is the Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross live blog for the main card lightweight bout at MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano on Saturday at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Parnasse (22-2) has been one of the best fighters on the KSW roster, winning titles at both lightweight and featherweight and even challenging for the Polish promotion’s welterweight title. He has won four straight fights by knockout, including multiple defenses of his 155-pound championship, and the Frenchman now looks to show why he’s worth all the hype as he makes his United States debut.
This is a big opportunity for Cross (17-4), who enters this contest on a four-fight win streak. “The Boss” is perhaps best known for his win over Kevin Syler on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2020 that unfortunately did not result in Cross earning a UFC contract. He looks to shock the millions watching on Netflix as the biggest underdog on the card by a wide margin.
Check out the MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano live blog for Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross below.
If you’ve watched Parnasse, you know he’s for real and the UFC probably should have paid this man to fight ages ago. But that doesn’t matter, he’s here now with a chance to put on a star-making performance.
Parnasse the biggest favorite on this card at a whopping -1450 per FanDuel. Cross sitting at +700 odds to steal this one.
Referee Jason Herzog reffing this Netflix fight.
Parnasse catches a body kick and pushes Cross down, fires off ground-and-pound, but Cross with a good recovery and he gets a takedown of his own. Parnasse scrambles and he’s back up. They’re jockeying for position against the fence after a fast start.
Takedown by Parnasse, he’s working to get top position, Cross very busy from his backside and he’s up. Back in the middle, the fighters are trading jabs. Parnasse comes forward and starts to brawl with Cross, that could be good for the underdog, though Cross definitely got stung a couple of times.
Another takedown for Parnasse and he’s clearly emphasizing ground-and-pound over position. He ends up on Cross’ back, Cross belly down now with Parnasse landing hard punches. Herzog looking closely, Parnasse not letting Cross turn back over. Cross gets back to his feet, but Parnasse is not letting up. The two-division KSW champion unloading with Cross against the fence. Body shot crumbles Cross, whoa!
Official result: Salahdine Parnasse def. Kenneth Cross via TKO (strikes) (R1, 4:18)
Parnasse thanks Netflix and says he’s ready for “the next fight, boxing, MMA.”
Asked if he felt any pressure, he said, “I’m the best fighter in the world. No pressure for me.”
