PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dewey Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mercito Gesta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cox comes to the cage accompanied by Guilty As Charged. Dewey Cox had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cox
vs
Gesta

188 cm
27
203 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

182 cm
31
190 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dewey Cox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mercito Gesta!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Bruno Hogan and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gesta throws a lazy head kick
and Cox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Gesta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gesta has his takedown stuffed

and Cox counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Gesta is defending well.
Gesta is trying to stand back up but Cox is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gesta wants to get back to full guard but Cox has mounted him!
Gesta wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Cox has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gesta trying to control the hands but Cox breaks the grip.

Gesta is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Cox gets his way!
Cox lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Cox is trying to stick to Gesta's back but Gesta is turning into Cox. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Cox's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gesta.
Cox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cox looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gesta trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gesta throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.
Gesta is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gesta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gesta is defended easily by Cox.
Gesta dives in and grabs Cox's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cox pushes down on Gesta's head and hops out.
Dewey Cox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mercito Gesta.
Gesta shoots in but no luck this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gesta shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Gesta was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gesta trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox is desperately trying to improve his position but Gesta has a good base and remains in mount.
Gesta is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cox can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Gesta wants to control the pace but Cox is squirming around nicely.
Gesta throws a strike there. Cox manages to avoid it well and slips a leg under to get to half guard.
Cox is holding on to half guard well.
Gesta is trying to control. Cox wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cox tries to get to full guard but Gesta has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cox kicks off Gesta and gets to his feet.

Cox shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gesta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gesta looking for submissions off his back.
Gesta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gesta.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cox won't allow Gesta to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dewey Cox dominated that round.
That's time! Cox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gesta throws a head kick but Cox moves out of range.

Cox drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Cox wants to control from the top but Gesta keeps moving.

Gesta working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cox doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cox manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cox wants to get up but he can't break Gesta's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cox cracks Gesta with a solid left hand.
Gesta wants to sweep but no luck.
Cox controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Cox passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gesta tries to get to full guard but Cox has control of the leg.
Cox seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gesta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gesta tries to roll over but Cox keeps him under control.
Cox wants to take a breather but Gesta is having none of it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gesta keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gesta is refusing to be controlled, as Cox sits in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dewey Cox.
Gesta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cox tries to avoid it but Gesta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cox to the ground. Cox escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gesta tries to close the distance and clinch but Cox swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gesta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cox is fending him off so far but Gesta persists. Nope, Cox circles away and we're back to standing.

Cox drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cox gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gesta shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cox as he avoids it easily.
Dewey Cox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mercito Gesta.
Gesta throws a sloppy head kick and Cox moves out of range easily.
Gesta shoots in for a double leg but Cox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gesta is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gesta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cox counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cox.
Cox stopping the sweep attempt from Gesta.

Cox gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Gesta gets tackled into the cage by Cox. Cox maintains the clinch.

Cox manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cox scores with a takedown into Gesta's guard.
Gesta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cox looking to pass the guard.
Cox wants to control from the top but Gesta keeps moving.
Cox content to stall in guard here.
Gesta wants to sweep here but Cox controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dewey Cox.
Gesta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cox paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gesta shoots in looking for a takedown but Cox manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gesta's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gesta throws a head kick that misses.

Cox changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gesta looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gesta regains half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cox is working for a kimura but Gesta is defending it quite comfortably.
Gesta is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cox scores with a couple of nice shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gesta is looking to control Cox's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gesta avoid being mounted?
Gesta slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dewey Cox dominated that second round.
That's time! Cox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gesta doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cox counters with a head kick. That will keep Gesta thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gesta is looking to score with low kicks.
Gesta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gesta will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cox throws a right and a left that both miss.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gesta.
Dewey Cox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mercito Gesta.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cox enables Gesta to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cox manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Cox has his foot on Gesta's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gesta works his way back into a safe position though.
Gesta trying to control but Cox is working from the bottom.
Cox wants to sweep but no luck.
Gesta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gesta trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cox's guard.

Gesta drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cox manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gesta has Cox in his guard.
Gesta working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cox.
Gesta working a defensive guard here.

Gesta is looking for a triangle but Cox pushes his legs off easily.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Gesta is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cox stands up from Gesta's guard - Cox perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gesta closes the distance and clinches up with Cox, looking for a takedown. Gesta pushes Cox against the cage but Cox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gesta lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Cox darts in and clinches Gesta up against the cage.

Cox jumps guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gesta stands up and waves to Cox to follow him.
Gesta tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Gesta there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cox tries to close the distance and clinch but Gesta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dewey Cox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cox clinches with his opponent.
Gesta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cox avoids it.
Dewey Cox is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gesta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gesta trying to land knees to the body.
Cox lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Cox has Gesta pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cox pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Gesta tumbling to the mat - Cox dives into Gesta's guard.
Gesta tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox stays in close to Gesta's body and controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dewey Cox just wasn't active enough.
Gesta shoots in and drives through. Cox sprawls well.

Cox shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cox was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cox controlling the position easily from mount.
Mercito Gesta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dewey Cox showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cox has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dewey Cox!
A very excited looking Dewey Cox made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.