PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rorion Gracie (ranked 2308 p4p, 299 weight class) and Ben Cox (ranked 2348 p4p, 306 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Olha a Explosão. Ben Cox has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gracie
vs
Cox

176 cm
26
192 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rorion Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Cox!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie feints and as Cox raises his hands in defense, Gracie changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Cox has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cox escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cox looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.

Cox looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cox is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gracie pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cox is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Gracie prevents Cox from improving his position.
Cox regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Cox moves into full guard.
Gracie has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Gracie pushing down on Cox's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Cox is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Cox is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cox's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cox sees it coming and defends easily.
Cox moves into full guard.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cox is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.

Cox is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Cox looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

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

Cox working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cox looks winded!
Gracie passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Cox is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cox is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

Cox looking for submissions off his back.

Cox looking for a kimura from the bottom but Gracie passes into side control!

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cox is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Cox is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Gracie yanks on the arm and Cox is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rorion Gracie!
Rorion Gracie thanked the fans post fight for their support.