PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lon Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Cox has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Lon Church's chin.

Church
vs
Cox

182 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

164 cm
18
132 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lon Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Cox!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Cox moves into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Church.
Cox prevents a takedown attempt there.

Cox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Church tries to sprawl but Cox drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cox looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Church gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Church has his foot on Cox's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cox works his way back into a safe position though.
Cox looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Church keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.

Cox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Church has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cox has managed to get both his arms back between Church's legs - danger averted.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Church is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox throwing strikes from guard but Church blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.

Cox throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Church was covering up waiting for the punch and Cox finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Cox looks winded!
Cox lands a couple of elbows.
Church keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Cox looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cox sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Let's hope that Cox has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Decent striking displayed by Church there.

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!
Cox wants to control but Church is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cox stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Cox dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cox misses with the combination.
Church is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Church tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cox was well out of range. Poor timing from Church.

Cox fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Church, pushing him back against the cage.

Cox is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Church can't fight it off and eventually Cox manages to take the fight to the floor. Church looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cox trying to control but Church is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Church looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Cox gets to his feet. Church looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox throws a combination. Church tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Cox is breathing heavily.
Church lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Church really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Church lands a jab-cross combination.

Church looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cox 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 fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cox thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Church's head.
Church is not content to let Cox control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cox trying to control from half guard but Church is working away.
Cox lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Church wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox wants to free his trapped foot but Church is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cox missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Church is defending well.
Church wants to improve his position but Cox is controlling well.
Cox content to control rather than advance.
Church misses with some strikes from the bottom.

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.
Cox works his way into full mount!
Church is looking to get to half guard.
Cox controlling from the full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Cox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice shot by Church.

Cox shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Church napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cox trying to control the action but Church is working from the bottom.
Cox tries to score with some ground and pound. Church controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cox has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Church digs a good hook to Cox's body.
Cox takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cox is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Church's half guard.
Church has hold of Cox's hands but Cox slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Church trying to hold on to Cox's head to control him but Cox postures up.
Cox controlling the action here.
Church won't allow Cox to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church is looking for a sweep. Cox is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Cox wants to work for an arm triangle but Church is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Church regains full guard. Nicely done.
Church is trying to control the position but Cox postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Church keeping full guard, as Cox tries to pass.
Church tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Church is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church throws a big right hand that misses.
Cox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Church throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cox works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Church distracts Cox with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cox controls Church momentarily but Church frees himself.
Church throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.
Church throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Church comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cox misses with a double jab

and Church counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cox with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Church lands strikes from half guard.
Cox taking some punishment here, with Church in his half guard.
Cox keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Church will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Church throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Church missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Joe Cox has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cox avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Church.
Church thows a huge punch but Cox dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Church seems to be looking for submissions.
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. Church connects with a nice short shot to Cox's temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lon Church.
I think Cox 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Cox!