PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Terrance Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Barnett
vs
Cox

173 cm
18
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

176 cm
26
152 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Terrance Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Daniel Cox!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox darts in looking for a takedown but Barnett gets double underhooks and turns Cox into the cage.
It looked like Barnett was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cox.
Cox doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Barnett counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barnett pinned against the cage. Barnett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Terrance Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Cox.
Cox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barnett pinned against the cage. Barnett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox shoots in for a double leg but Barnett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A quick step to the side and Barnett tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Cox fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Barnett to the ground. Cox is now in Barnett's guard.
Barnett is trying to hold Cox in close to prevent damage but Cox has managed to pass into half guard.
Barnett wants to get back to full guard.

Cox is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Barnett tries to roll over but Cox keeps him under control.

Cox is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Barnett trying to control from the bottom.
Barnett trying to get back to full guard but Cox takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Barnett wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cox working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Barnett is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cox looking to control and managing it successfully.
Barnett slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Barnett looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cox stalling.

Cox wants to work for an arm triangle but Barnett is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cox tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Barnett.
Still in half guard, Cox seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett missing with punches from the bottom.

Cox is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barnett is just riding it out for now. Cox eventually gives up the hold.
Barnett tries to kick Cox off but Cox keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Barnett wants to get back to full guard.
Barnett is trying to stand back up but Cox is controlling him
Cox is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Barnett is looking to control Cox's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barnett avoid being mounted?
Barnett tries to roll over but Cox keeps him under control.

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 is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Barnett has managed to free his arm - good work.
Barnett is looking to escape.
Cox controlling the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Cox shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cox tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnett is retaining full guard.
Barnett wants to stand up but Cox is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Cox dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cox has a takedown stuffed.

Barnett clinches up with Cox and pushes him back against the cage.
Barnett is trying to maintain a safe position but Cox gets an underhook and turns Barnett into the cage.

Barnett breaks from the clinch.
Cox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barnett swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barnett swivels and escapes.
Terrance Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Cox.
Cox throws a head kick but Barnett moves out of range.

Barnett has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cox gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Barnett looks like he's trying to stand up.
Barnett is trying to maintain the position but Cox is very close to passing his half guard.

Cox is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cox prevents Barnett from standing back up.

Cox is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Cox is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Barnett sees it coming and defends easily.
Cox is breathing heavily.
Barnett has hold of Cox's hands but Cox slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cox content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett pushes Cox off looking to stand but Cox dives back in and keeps control.

Cox is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barnett defends it well.
Cox prevents Barnett from improving his position.
Cox winds up and cracks Barnett with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Barnett tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Cox has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Cox scoring with strikes but Barnett is staying in there.
Barnett bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cox has Barnett pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cox keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cox can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cox managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Cox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barnett wants to stand but Cox is controlling his posture from full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barnett wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Daniel Cox will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cox shoots in for a takedown but Barnett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Terrance Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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

Barnett has gone for a leg lock! Cox slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barnett's guard.

Cox landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox with a nice head shot there.
Cox forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cox scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cox is working for a submission of some sort.
Cox trying to control the pace.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet.
Barnett is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Cox jumps into side control!
Cox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnett wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Barnett seems a little lost for a moment, as Cox dominates the positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cox is putting a hurting on Barnett here, landing some big shots from side control.
Barnett is looking to regain half guard here but Cox keeps moving and retains side control.
Barnett is pushing Cox's head away, looking to escape. Cox manages to hold on to the position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnett stops Cox from passing to mount.
Cox lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Barnett down.

Cox is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Barnett knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
A lull in the action here as Cox stalls from top position.
Cox wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barnett keeps working.
Cox lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett tries to buck Cox off but Cox is having none of it.
Cox wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Cox controls the position.
Cox lands a nice forearm strike.
Barnett is trying to get back to half guard.
Cox takes a little break here. Barnett wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Barnett is pushing Cox's head away, looking to escape. Cox manages to hold on to the position though.
Barnett is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cox connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett trying to control but Cox flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Barnett breaks Cox's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Cox is pulling down on Barnett's head. It's preventing any offense from Barnett, at least for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cox is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Cox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cox 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Cox!
An out of breath Daniel Cox thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.