PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Raiymbek Batyr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Batyr
vs
Cox

173 cm
27
134 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

167 cm
27
148 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raiymbek Batyr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Steve Cox!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, David Schapiro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batyr throws a nice looking combination but Cox bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Batyr throws a leg kick that is checked

and Cox counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cox.

Batyr manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Batyr gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Batyr throws an elbow but it misses.
Batyr throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Batyr lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cox has a couple of punches blocked by Batyr.
Nice elbow from Batyr.
Batyr stops a takedown attempt from Cox.

Cox gets control of Batyr's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cox will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Cox working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Batyr.
Cox utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Batyr won't allow Cox to sweep him here.

Batyr drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cox dives on top into guard.

Batyr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cox is controlling him.
Batyr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batyr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cox is controlling him.
Cox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Batyr is keeping the position for now.
Batyr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cox is controlling him.
Cox trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cox seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cox missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Batyr has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Cox is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Cox is trying to trip Batyr. He has hold of a leg but Batyr is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Cox persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Cox working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Batyr wants to stand but Cox is controlling the position.
Cox trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet but Cox is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox landing with the ground and pound.
Batyr wants to stand up but Cox is controlling him.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Cox manages to pass to side control.
Cox trying to mount his opponent but Batyr defends it.
Batyr is looking to escape.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cox working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Cox content to control rather than advance.
Batyr pushes Cox off looking to stand but Cox dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Batyr is not content to let Cox control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cox stops Batyr from getting back to his feet.
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. Cox connects with a nice short shot to Batyr's temple.
Cox throwing shots but Batyr is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Cox.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet.
Batyr tries to kick Cox off in order to stand up. Cox Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Cox tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cox working the body and head with strikes.

Cox is trying to get an arm triangle but Batyr is defending well.
Cox trying to control the position but Batyr is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cox tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sloppy strikes there by Cox.
Cox in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cox controls the position.
Cox misses with the ground and pound.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet but Cox drags him back down.
Cox fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Cox prevents Batyr from escaping the position.

Batyr sneaks out the side door and pushes Cox away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Batyr closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Batyr on the inside.
Batyr misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Cox will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Batyr tries a head kick but it misses.

Batyr has managed to clinch.
Batyr connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cox's face.
Batyr scores a nice knee to the body.
Batyr looking to throw knees to the head but Cox is blocking nicely.
Batyr misses with an elbow strike.
Cox lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Cox wants the takedown. Batyr is fighting it off but Cox persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Batyr's guard against the cage.
Batyr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cox is controlling him.

Batyr pushes Cox off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Batyr misses with a head kick.
Batyr sets himself, and Cox steps forward looking for the clinch! Batyr avoids it this time.
Batyr throws a head kick that misses.
Cox blocks a head kick by Batyr.

Batyr closes the distance and clinches.
Batyr takes a shot to the head.
Batyr pushes off an throws an elbow but Cox leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batyr throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Batyr throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cox blocks an elbow strike from Batyr.
Batyr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cox has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch on the inside from Cox fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Batyr.
A head punch on the inside from Cox fails to land.
Cox misses with the head strike.
Batyr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cox has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cox misses with the head strike.
Batyr throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cox manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Cox is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Batyr is aware though and is defending well.
Batyr with a flurry of punches that miss.
Batyr postures up in Cox's guard and throws a big left but Cox blocks it.

Batyr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cox has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Batyr has managed to get both his arms back between Cox's legs - danger averted.
Steve Cox has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cox pulls Batyr in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batyr landing with the ground and pound.
Cox utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Cox looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Batyr lands a couple of digs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batyr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Cox is looking for a triangle but Batyr pushes his legs off easily.
Cox trying to keep a closed guard but Batyr is proving a slippery customer.
Batyr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cox working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Batyr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batyr distracts Cox with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Batyr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Batyr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Batyr with a nice head shot there.
Batyr distracts Cox with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Batyr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Batyr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Batyr is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Batyr throws an elbow that misses. Cox uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Batyr's guard. Nice move by Cox!

Batyr wants to stand up but Cox is controlling him.
Cox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cox not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cox working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batyr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Batyr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox postures up in Batyr's guard and throws a big left but Batyr blocks it.

Batyr pushes Cox off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Batyr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Batyr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Batyr swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cox.

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

Cox has clasped his hands together around Batyr's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Batyr is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Cox is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raiymbek Batyr dominated that second round.
That's time! Batyr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Batyr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Cox holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cox avoids the elbow strike from Batyr, against the cage.
Batyr misses with a knee to the head.
Batyr lands an elbow just above Cox 's eye.
Batyr blocking some punches.

Cox tightens his grip and picks Batyr up, before dumping him to the ground. Batyr manages to land in guard.
Cox throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Batyr wants to stand but Cox is controlling the position.
Cox landing some decent shots from guard.
Batyr wants to stand and escape but Cox is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batyr trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Batyr throws a sloppy head kick

and Cox counters with a takedown into side control.
Cox in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cox has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Batyr is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Cox asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cox postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Cox works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Cox is looking to take a break and control but Batyr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cox lands a decent elbow from side control.
Batyr is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Cox asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Batyr wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Cox lands a decent elbow from side control.

Batyr throws Cox to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batyr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cox throws a fast counter high kick but Batyr manages to duck under it in time.
Batyr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cox! But no joy.
Batyr throws a lazy head kick
and Cox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Batyr throws an overhand right that lands on Cox's shoulder, as Cox tries to avoid the shot.
A low kick from Batyr is predictable there

so Cox counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cox slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Batyr wants to stand and escape but Cox is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Batyr has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cox off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Cox avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cox tries to counter by closing the distance.
Batyr throws a head kick but Cox moves out of range.
Cox is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
We've been told by Batyr's head coaches at Mega Gym - Capacity 35 that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Cox closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Batyr to the mat! Batyr manages to get full guard.

Batyr uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Cox shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Batyr manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cox postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cox keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Batyr's head.
Batyr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Cox manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batyr is trying to stand back up but Cox is controlling him
Batyr on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Batyr tries to kick Cox off but Cox keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ground and pound from Cox.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet.
Cox working over Batyr with some ground and pound. Batyr looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Cox there.

Batyr is rocked!
Batyr wants to get back to his feet.
Oh Batyr is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Cox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Steve Cox!
Steve Cox seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.