PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake LaMotta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LaMotta has chosen Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jake LaMotta is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Cox
vs
LaMotta

167 cm
26
148 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

173 cm
49
146 lbs
38 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Steve Cox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 27 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake LaMotta!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaMotta shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cox defends it nicely.
LaMotta has his takedown stuffed

and Cox counters with a shoot takedown. LaMotta fights it but they end up in guard.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but LaMotta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cox accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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.
Cox makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox throwing strikes but missing.
Cox chips away with some ground and pound.
LaMotta wants to sweep here but Cox controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

LaMotta looking for a guillotine here but Cox defends easily.
Cox has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Cox connects with a couple of short punches.
LaMotta is trying to control the position from the bottom.

LaMotta is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cox is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cox scoring with some ground and pound.
Cox looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two 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 wants to control from the top but LaMotta keeps moving.
Cox is in close to LaMotta's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cox content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
LaMotta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cox missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cox sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cox is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! LaMotta is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! LaMotta has escaped and now he's on top!

LaMotta looking to pass the guard.
LaMotta wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.

LaMotta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
LaMotta wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox pulls LaMotta in close to his closed guard and prevents LaMotta from doing any damage or advancing position.
LaMotta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cox. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
LaMotta is looking to work some ground and pound but Cox has wrist control.
LaMotta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
LaMotta distracts Cox with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
LaMotta is in close to Cox's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cox trying to keep a closed guard but LaMotta is proving a slippery customer.

Cox is looking to cinch up a triangle. LaMotta throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Cox's body to avoid the submission. Cox has instead reached around LaMotta's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Cox arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Steve Cox!
Steve Cox decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.