PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Beltran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carlos Beltran has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Cox
vs
Beltran

167 cm
21
155 lbs
9 - 0 - 1

171 cm
21
151 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Cox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Beltran!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox misses with a looping right.

Cox shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Cox was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Beltran is looking to reverse the position.
Beltran has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Cox lands an elbow.

Cox decides to stand back up.
Cox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Beltran pinned against the cage. Beltran gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A countering left hand to the body from Beltran misses.
Beltran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cox.
Beltran connects with a body shot.
Cox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Beltran let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Cox gets a takedown into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Cox's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cox stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Beltran lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beltran throws an overhand right that lands on Cox's shoulder, as Cox tries to avoid the shot.
Beltran looks to score with a jab to the body but Cox is just out of range.
Beltran swings for the body but Cox moves out of range.
Beltran misses with the combination.
Beltran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cox.
Cox throws a body shot but no joy.
Cox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Beltran moves away.
Cox throws a series of punches but Beltran avoids them all with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Beltran. Cox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Beltran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cox manages to avoid it.
Cox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Beltran misses the shot to the body.
Cox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Cox tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Beltran defends well and Cox ends up having to push Beltran into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Beltran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cox manages to avoid it.
Steve Cox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beltran scores with a one two! Cox had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Beltran moves away from the strike by Cox.
A nice side step and Beltran releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Beltran scores with a hook to the body. Cox takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beltran circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice side step and Beltran releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Cox misses with a series of wild punches.
Cox shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Beltran as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beltran makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Beltran pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Beltran defending well as Cox loads up on a big left hand.
Beltran is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cox with a body shot.
Cox swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Beltran counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Beltran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cox manages to avoid it.
Carlos Beltran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Cox swings for the body but Beltran moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beltran misses with a wild combination.
Beltran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cox moves away.
Beltran stuns Cox with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Beltran misses the shot to the body.
Cox is looking to counter the offense by Beltran and move into the clinch.

Cox decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cox performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Beltran is looking for a sweep. Cox is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Beltran trying to control from the bottom.
Cox looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Beltran with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cox seems to be working for a kimura but Beltran defends the submission attempt.
Beltran wants to improve his position but Cox is controlling well.
Cox has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Beltran is refusing to be controlled, as Cox sits in half guard.
Cox thows a huge punch but Beltran dodges it nicely.
Beltran tries to roll over but Cox keeps him under control.
Cox controlling the action here.
Beltran is looking for a sweep. Cox is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steve Cox will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Beltran scores with a hook.
Beltran lands a jab to Cox's midsection.
Beltran connects with a body shot.
Cox looks to score with a jab to the body but Beltran is just out of range.
Cox is looking to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Beltran.
Cox throws a body punch but Beltran moves out of range.
Cox fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A countering left hand to the body from Beltran misses.
Beltran throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cox.
Cox drops down looking for a counter takedown but Beltran sprawls and moves away.
Carlos Beltran seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Beltran throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cox looks to score with a jab to the body but Beltran is just out of range.
A nice side step and Beltran releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Beltran misses with a double jab.
Cox doesn't manage to clinch there - Beltran circles away.
Cox takes a swing at Beltran's ribcage but misses.
Beltran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cox.
Cox throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cox looks to throw the jab but Beltran is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox walks into a left hand.
Cox throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cox looks to score with a jab to the body but Beltran is just out of range.
Cox throws a body punch but Beltran moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Beltran misses.
Beltran wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cox throws a body shot but no joy.
Beltran swings for the body but Cox moves out of range.
Beltran takes a swing at Cox's ribcage but misses.
Cox shoots in for a takedown but Beltran shows good takedown defense.
Beltran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cox manages to avoid it.
Cox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Beltran takes a swing at Cox's ribcage but misses.
Cox takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cox misses with a wild body shot.
Cox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Beltran was well out of range. Poor timing from Cox.
Cox with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Beltran to score with a decent uppercut.
Cox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Beltran swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox misses with a straight right.
Cox slips a straight right by Beltran.
A big left from Cox misses.
Beltran misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beltran scores with a body shot.
Cox takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Beltran connects with a body shot.
Beltran slips under a jab from Cox.

Cox shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Beltran is staying active underneath Cox, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Beltran wants to get back to full guard.
Cox wants to lay and pray for a moment but Beltran keeps working.
Beltran regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox tries to free his leg and advance position but Beltran is retaining full guard.
Beltran lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Beltran trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Beltran is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Cox is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Beltran is looking to work some ground and pound but Cox has wrist control.

Cox is looking for a triangle but Beltran pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beltran trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Beltran gets to his feet. Cox looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Beltran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cox.
Cox slips a jab and a cross from Beltran.
Some wild striking there from Beltran.
Beltran works Cox's body with a nice hook.
Cox shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Beltran sprawls well. Beltran wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cox gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beltran stuns Cox with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Beltran.
Beltran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Beltran showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Beltran manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut there from Beltran.
Cox takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Beltran lands with a nice body punch.
Beltran swats away the attempt to clinch by Cox.
A countering left hand to the body from Beltran misses.
Cox throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Beltran keeps the fight on the outside.
Beltran appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Beltran circles away from the clinch attempt.
Beltran dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Beltran. Cox does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Beltran misses the target.
Beltran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cox.
Beltran is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Cox with a body shot.
Beltran misses with a wild body shot.
Beltran connects with a jab.
Beltran rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cox moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A combination from Beltran does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beltran ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cox throws a series of punches but Beltran moves out of range.
Cox avoids the body shot from Beltran.

Cox fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Beltran to the ground. Cox is now in Beltran's guard.
Beltran wants to sweep here but Cox controlling him for the moment.
Beltran has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Beltran is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Beltran is working an open guard so Cox takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cox throws a jab but it's blocked by Beltran.

Beltran gets caught napping as Cox dives in and scores a takedown. Beltran manages to retain guard.
Beltran looking for a sweep. Not yet Beltran, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beltran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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!
Beltran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cox is staying active underneath Beltran, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cox is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Beltran connects with a nice short shot to Cox's temple.

Cox looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Beltran scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox trying to control here.
Beltran thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Beltran is keen to just control but Cox is a slippery customer.
Steve Cox overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Beltran not doing much here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cox tries to roll over but Beltran keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Cox tries to clinch but Beltran moves out of range.
Beltran lands a nice shot to the body.
Beltran throws a body punch but Cox moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Beltran as Cox shoots in.
Beltran throws a series of punches but Cox avoids them all with ease.
Cox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Beltran moves away.
Cox looks to score with a jab to the body but Beltran is just out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Beltran scores with a decent looking hook.
Beltran connects with a body shot that sends Cox's belly button to the back.
Cox tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Beltran counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Beltran showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cox.
Beltran appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Beltran connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cox. Cox circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Beltran ducks under a wild hook from Cox.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Beltran comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Beltran has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Beltran!
A very excited looking Carlos Beltran 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.