PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elliot Stabler (ranked 4369 p4p, 5494 weight class) and Thomas Wilcox (ranked 436 p4p, 506 weight class). The key to victory for Elliot Stabler has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Stabler
vs
Wilcox

182 cm
18
194
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
218
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Intelligent

Pulling Guard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elliot Stabler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Thomas Wilcox!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stabler connects with a single shot there.

Wilcox gets the takedown into side control.
Wilcox looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Stabler prevents Wilcox from improving position.
Wilcox is still trying to improve position.
Stabler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stabler's coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Stabler trying to remain calm as Wilcox controls from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stabler is looking for a sweep.
Wilcox controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stabler is looking to reverse the position.
Wilcox is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Stabler will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Stabler gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Wilcox seems to be working for a kimura but Stabler defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wilcox is looking to advance position but Stabler won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wilcox passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Stabler!
Wilcox takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Stabler is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Wilcox content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stabler is desperately trying to improve his position but Wilcox has a good base and remains in mount.
Stabler regains half guard.
Wilcox seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Stabler wants to control but Wilcox is keeping busy.
Wilcox controlling the action here.

Wilcox is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Well, if Wilcox is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stabler is trying to stand up here but Wilcox is controlling him well.
Wilcox trying to mount his opponent but Stabler defends it.
Wilcox with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wilcox moves into full mount! Stabler won't be happy about that!
Wilcox takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Wilcox dominated that round.
That's time! Stabler's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wilcox closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wilcox is controlling the pace.
Thomas Wilcox has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wilcox looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Stabler trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilcox is taking a breather. Stabler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stabler is looking to improve his position.
Stabler trying to control but Wilcox postures up.
Wilcox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stabler tries to get to full guard but Wilcox has control of the leg.
Wilcox content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Wilcox wants to advance to full mount but Stabler doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

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.
Stabler wants to sweep here but Wilcox controlling him for the moment.

Stabler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stabler can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wilcox controls the pace.
Wilcox looking to pass the guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wilcox won't allow Stabler to sweep him here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wilcox goes for a double leg but Stabler avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stabler continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wilcox closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Stabler's guard.
Wilcox looking to pass the guard.
Wilcox keeps trying to improve his position.
Stabler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wilcox passes into half guard.
Wilcox content to control rather than advance.
Wilcox passes to side control.
Stabler is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Stabler is trying to control but can't.
Still in half guard, Wilcox seems content to control.

Wilcox is working for a submission of some sort.
Wilcox controlling the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wilcox seems to be looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Wilcox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Stabler just misses with a punch to the body.

Wilcox scores with a takedown into Stabler's guard.
Stabler controls Wilcox momentarily but Wilcox frees himself.

Stabler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wilcox slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Wilcox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stabler is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stabler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stabler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilcox 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wilcox looking to pass the guard.

Stabler working for a triangle but Wilcox defends it easily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Wilcox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stabler was well out of range. Poor timing from Wilcox.
Stabler throws a hook to the side of Wilcox's head but Wilcox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wilcox tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stabler defends well and Wilcox ends up having to push Stabler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wilcox moves out of range as Stabler strikes.
Stabler lands with a cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wilcox.
Wilcox on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stabler sizes up Wilcox with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wilcox fails with a takedown attempt.
Elliot Stabler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Wilcox.
Wilcox shoots in looking for a takedown. Stabler tries to sprawl out of it but Wilcox keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stabler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wilcox.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Wilcox goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Stabler rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Wilcox's guard! Nice work there by Stabler!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wilcox holds on and takes a little breather.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stabler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wilcox avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stabler stopping the sweep attempt from Wilcox.

Wilcox is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stabler defends well.
Stabler throwing strikes from guard but Wilcox blocks nicely.
Wilcox working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stabler.

Wilcox is looking for a triangle but Stabler pushes his legs off easily.

Wilcox looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox pulls Stabler in close to prevent any damage.
Wilcox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wilcox utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stabler slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wilcox sneaks back into half guard.
Wilcox wants to control but Stabler is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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. Stabler connects with a nice short shot to Wilcox's temple.
Wilcox is looking for a sweep. Stabler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Elliot Stabler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas Wilcox is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wilcox has his hands clasped together around Stabler's back. He's all about the action.
Wilcox blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stabler.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elliot Stabler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wilcox 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Wilcox!