PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nojus Vytautas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JT Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vytautas
vs
Cox

200 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nojus Vytautas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, JT Cox!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vytautas as he jumps to the side.

Vytautas clinches up with Cox and pushes him back against the cage.
Cox is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Vytautas to keep the fight standing.
Vytautas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cox gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Vytautas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vytautas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cox pinned against the cage. Cox gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vytautas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cox.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox swats away the attempt to clinch by Vytautas.
Nojus Vytautas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Vytautas has managed to clinch.
Cox looking to slow down the pace here.

Cox breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vytautas throws a low kick, looking for Cox's leg but Cox calmly moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Cox - that will leave a mark!
Cox avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vytautas moves in looking to clinch but Cox pushes him off.
Vytautas moves in looking to clinch but Cox pushes him off.

Cox closes the distance and clinches.
Cox wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vytautas has him pressed against the cage.
Cox blocking some punches.

Vytautas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vytautas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Vytautas gets a clinch.
Cox gets underhooks to prevent Vytautas's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nojus Vytautas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vytautas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cox fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vytautas swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Cox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cox shoots in looking for a takedown but Vytautas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cox's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Cox looks to move away, Vytautas throws a big counter combo but Cox just gets out of the way.
Vytautas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cox.
Vytautas shoots for a takedown but Cox saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Vytautas closes the distance and pushes Cox back into the cage.
Cox wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vytautas is trying to drag Cox to the mat but Cox just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vytautas is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vytautas throws a punch but it's blocked by Cox.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cox breaks the clinch.
Cox goes for a double leg but Vytautas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vytautas continues to drive forward.
Cox keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox shoots in looking for a takedown but Vytautas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cox's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vytautas seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cox looks winded!
Cox misses with a takedown attempt - Vytautas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vytautas is looking to clinch.

Vytautas rushes Cox and presses him up against the cage.

Vytautas manages to break the clinch.
Cox stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vytautas.
Vytautas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vytautas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vytautas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cox is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vytautas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Vytautas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cox, pushing him back against the cage.
A short left from Vytautas.
Vytautas lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vytautas breaks from the clinch.

Cox tries to keep at a distance but Vytautas has taken the fight into the clinch.

Vytautas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vytautas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vytautas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cox as he avoids it easily.
Vytautas is looking to clinch.
Cox looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Vytautas doesn't manage to clinch there - Cox circles away.
Cox scores with a head kick.

Vytautas moves into the clinch.

Cox is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Vytautas can't fight it off and eventually Cox manages to take the fight to the floor. Vytautas looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Vytautas has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cox off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nojus Vytautas 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.

Vytautas tries to clinch up.

Vytautas darts in and clinches Cox up against the cage.
Vytautas can't get the takedown.
Vytautas wants a takedown but no success here.
Vytautas is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nojus Vytautas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vytautas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cox pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cox is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vytautas pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Cox jumps into guard, dragging Vytautas to the mat.
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.
Vytautas trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vytautas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vytautas trying to control but Cox is working from the bottom.

Vytautas drops back looking for a leg! Cox is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cox manages to kick Vytautas off! Vytautas jumps back into Cox's guard.
Cox really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vytautas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vytautas wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.
Vytautas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cox can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vytautas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cox works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vytautas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vytautas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vytautas throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.
Vytautas wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cox throws a right and a left that Vytautas avoids nicely.
Vytautas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vytautas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cox is looking to clinch but Vytautas is avoiding it.
Vytautas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cox is fending him off so far but Vytautas persists. Nope, Cox circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vytautas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cox dives in for a single leg takedown but Vytautas sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Vytautas closes the distance and clinches.

Cox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vytautas leaves Cox with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Vytautas drives through and clinches with Cox against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vytautas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox wants to break free but Vytautas has control.
Cox has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vytautas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vytautas is looking for a takedown.
Vytautas is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vytautas is looking for a takedown.
Cox goes for a takedown attempt but Vytautas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Vytautas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vytautas really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Vytautas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vytautas moves into the clinch.
Vytautas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cox prevents it.
Vytautas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cox pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cox prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vytautas tries to clinch up.
Cox lands a head kick!

Vytautas clinches up with Cox and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Vytautas.

Vytautas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Vytautas gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A frustrated look appears on Vytautas's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Cox manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cox shoots in and drives through. Vytautas sprawls well.
Vytautas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cox manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Vytautas closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nojus Vytautas dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vytautas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vytautas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vytautas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cox defends well and Vytautas ends up having to push Cox into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vytautas tries to clinch up but Cox circles away and keeps his distance.
Cox looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Vytautas closes the distance and clinches.
Vytautas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cox gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cox tries for a takedown. No joy.

Cox pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vytautas throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Vytautas keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vytautas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cox defends well.
Cox would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Vytautas is looking for a triangle but Cox pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cox looking to sit in guard and control but Vytautas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Vytautas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vytautas stays in close to Cox's body and controls the position.
Vytautas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vytautas wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.

Vytautas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vytautas is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vytautas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cox swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vytautas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cox works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vytautas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cox works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Vytautas stands up and waves to Cox to follow him.
Cox keeps the fight on the outside.
Cox tries to counter with a clinch but Vytautas shakes him off and moves away.
A head kick misses from Cox.
Vytautas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cox circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vytautas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vytautas wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vytautas connects with a high kick.

Vytautas clinches.

Vytautas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vytautas is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cox is defended easily by Vytautas.
Nojus Vytautas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JT Cox.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Vytautas clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nojus Vytautas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vytautas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nojus Vytautas!
Nojus Vytautas took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.