PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cox
vs
Taphorn

167 cm
28
148 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

170 cm
36
138 lbs
27 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Steve Cox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Peter Taphorn!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taphorn moves away from the strike by Cox.
Taphorn looks to land a body kick but Cox moved away.
A clash of legs there as Taphorn blocks the low kick.
Taphorn fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cox looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A head kick misses from Cox.
Cox slips under a jab.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taphorn lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steve Cox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Taphorn. No joy for Cox on that attempt.
Cox throws a head kick but Taphorn moves out of range.

Cox has managed to clinch.
Taphorn pressing his opponent against the cage.
Taphorn misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Taphorn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Taphorn has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Cox fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox misses with some punches.
Taphorn misses with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Cox scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short uppercut from Taphorn.
Cox wants a takedown but no success here.
Taphorn has Cox pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cox manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike.
Cox pressing his opponent against the cage.
Cox letting Taphorn take a breather here.
Taphorn lands a right hand.
Cox misses with the head strike.
Taphorn gets underhooks to prevent Cox's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cox throws a punch but it's blocked by Taphorn.
Cox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Cox.
Taphorn misses with some punches.
A hook to the body from Taphorn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox struggles to land a body shot inside as Taphorn controls his hands.
Cox throws a head punch that misses.
Taphorn is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cox is keeping busy.
A short left from Taphorn.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cox misses with a punch on the inside.
Taphorn misses with a punch on the inside.
Taphorn scores with a shot to the side of Cox's head.
Taphorn swings wildly with an uppercut but Cox uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taphorn gets underhooks to prevent Cox's takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Taphorn.
Taphorn scores a nice knee to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cox.
Cox tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taphorn misses with some punches.
Cox goes for a takedown in the clinch but Taphorn prevents it.
Cox stalling in the clinch but Taphorn improves position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taphorn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn lands a left hand.
Cox has a couple of punches blocked by Taphorn.
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Taphorn stalling in the clinch but Cox improves position.
Taphorn lands a left hand.
Cox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Cox on the inside.
Cox tries to pull guard but Taphorn won't allow it.
Taphorn throws a head punch that misses.
Taphorn misses with a punch to the body.
Taphorn scores with a shot to the side of Cox's head.
Taphorn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Taphorn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cox throws a looping overhand right but Taphorn ducks down to avoid it.
Cox has been working on his balance at Mega Gym - Capacity 35, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Taphorn.
Cox wants to clinch but Taphorn slips to the side

and Taphorn counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cox!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taphorn misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Cox is trying to get back to half guard.
Taphorn in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Taphorn tries to advance to mount but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taphorn advances nicely into full mount.
Taphorn working the ground and pound effectively.
Taphorn landing strikes from the mount.
Taphorn has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taphorn lands a couple of good shots and Cox has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Taphorn has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Taphorn is hanging on to Cox's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Taphorn dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Taphorn scores with a hook to the body. Cox takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taphorn takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Taphorn lands a head shot.
Nice sprawl there from Cox as Taphorn shoots in.
Cox throws a head kick but Taphorn moves out of range.
Taphorn ducks under a wild hook from Cox.

Cox closes the distance and clinches.
Taphorn stalling against the cage.
Cox has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taphorn is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Taphorn scores with a shoulder strike.
Taphorn pushes Cox back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Taphorn scores with a shoulder strike.
Cox goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taphorn working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taphorn lands a body punch in the clinch.

Taphorn breaks from the clinch.
Cox checks the leg kick.
As Taphorn tries to get set, Cox tries to push him back and clinch up but Taphorn manages to avoid the attempt.
Cox shoots in and drives through. Taphorn sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cox connects with a solid leg kick.
Taphorn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cox's hands.
Cox misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Cox looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taphorn is trying to control but can't.
Cox working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cox wants to control but Taphorn is keeping him busy.
Taphorn is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Taphorn trying to hold on to Cox's head to control him but Cox postures up.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.
Taphorn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cox is working away from the top position though.
Taphorn taking some punishment here, with Cox in his half guard.
Taphorn wants to improve his position but Cox is controlling well.
Cox landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox lands strikes from half guard.
Cox lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Taphorn is looking to control Cox's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taphorn avoid being mounted?
Taphorn might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cox haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Cox landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cox lands with a punch from half guard.
Nice strikes from Cox there.
Cox lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.
Taphorn taking some punishment here, with Cox in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox throwing shots but Taphorn is blocking nicely.
Taphorn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Taphorn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taphorn keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cox accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Taphorn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cox accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cox dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taphorn moves out of range of the strikes.

Cox pushes Taphorn up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taphorn.
A bit of stalling here from Cox.
Cox blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Taphorn turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Taphorn manages to end up in side control.
Taphorn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cox is not content to let Taphorn control the position.
Cox is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cox parries the strikes from Taphorn easily there. Taphorn is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cox to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Taphorn has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Cox!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taphorn is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Cox to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Cox shrugs it off.
Taphorn thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Taphorn scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cox?
The referee warns Cox that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Cox keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Taphorn tries to control but Cox wriggling away.
Taphorn breaks from Cox's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Taphorn lands a big elbow.
Taphorn tries to control but Cox wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Cox is desperately trying to improve his position but Taphorn has a good base and remains in mount.
Taphorn connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Taphorn trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Taphorn has hold of Cox's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cox manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Taphorn is in the full mount, landing strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taphorn prevents Cox from getting the reversal.
Cox slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Taphorn thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cox's head.
Taphorn seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cox does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Taphorn scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cox regains full guard. Nicely done.
Taphorn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cox's head.
Taphorn is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cox preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taphorn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Cox escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taphorn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taphorn 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.
Taphorn throws an elbow that misses. Cox uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Taphorn's guard. Nice move by Cox!

Taphorn controls Cox momentarily but Cox frees himself.

Taphorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cox defends well.

Taphorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Taphorn looking for a sweep. Not yet Taphorn, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Taphorn really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A lazy body kick from Cox
and Taphorn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cox walks into a stiff left hand from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cox looks to land a combination but Taphorn avoids it well.
A jab from Taphorn does it's job there.
Taphorn throws a lazy right hand but Cox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Taphorn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taphorn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cox.
Cox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taphorn manages to avoid it.
Taphorn bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Taphorn fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cox is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Cox misses
and Taphorn counters with a solid body kick.
Taphorn misses the jab.
Taphorn misses with a body kick.
Cox swings for the body but Taphorn moves out of range.
Cox on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn throws a leg kick
and Cox counters with a head kick.
Taphorn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cox.
A nice inside leg kick there by Taphorn. That's going to slow Cox down.
Cox misses the body punch
and Taphorn counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cox, right into the meat.
Taphorn scores with a hook to the body. Cox takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taphorn lands with a right hand.
Taphorn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cox circles away quickly and effectively.
Taphorn tries a low kick but Cox avoids it.

Cox drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taphorn has momentary wrist control but Cox slips an elbow through the middle.
Taphorn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taphorn working a defensive guard but Cox passes into half guard.
Cox landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox tries to pass the half guard into mount. Taphorn knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Taphorn tries to get to full guard but Cox has control of the leg.
Taphorn regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cox landing with the ground and pound.
Cox scoring with some ground and pound.

Taphorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cox defends it easily.
Taphorn is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox trying to control but Taphorn is working from the bottom.
Cox makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cox is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cox postures up and lands a big shot to Taphorn's brow.
Cox postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cox is working Taphorn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Taphorn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cox distracts Taphorn with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn has momentary wrist control but Cox slips an elbow through the middle.
Taphorn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taphorn seems keen to control Cox's posture.
Cox content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Taphorn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Taphorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taphorn working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Steve Cox will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Taphorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cox throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taphorn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cox circles away quickly and effectively.
A clash of legs there as Cox blocks the low kick.
Cox takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Cox fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Taphorn to the ground. Cox is now in Taphorn's guard.
Cox sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Our spies down at at Brutal Force Training inform us that Taphorn has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Taphorn looking for a guillotine here but Cox defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taphorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cox defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox throws a big right hand that misses.
Cox connects with a couple of short punches.

Taphorn looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Cox is defending well. Taphorn quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Cox has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Taphorn celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Peter Taphorn!
Peter Taphorn is the new bantamweight champion!
Peter Taphorn thanked the fans post fight for their support.