PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Luca Richards (ranked 2237 p4p, 3065 weight class) and Philippe Cockx (ranked 276 p4p, 353 weight class). Richards comes to the cage accompanied by Split. Cockx has chosen MMA Entrance Music / Eddie Alvarez as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Philippe Cockx was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Richards
vs
Cockx

170 cm
26
165
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
165
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luca Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Philippe Cockx!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Reed Andrews and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cockx lands a really nice looking cross but Richards seems unphased.
Nice body punch from Richards.
Richards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richards. Cockx does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cockx avoids the body shot from Richards.
Richards dodges the punch combination from Cockx.
Cockx swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Richards.
Cockx throws a series of punches but Richards avoids them all with ease.
Nice jab there from Richards.
Cockx looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Cockx swinging wildly here.
Cockx misses with a head kick.
Richards swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Richards blocks the body kick.
Cockx misses with a straight left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cockx fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Richards dives in and scores a takedown into Cockx's guard.
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.
Richards stays in close to Cockx's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards postures up and lands a big shot to Cockx's brow.
Richards is stalling in the full guard.
Richards stands up over Cockx, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richards accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Richards landing with the ground and pound.
Cockx wants to stand and escape but Richards is having none of it.
Richards lands a couple of elbows.
Richards looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Cockx wants to stand up but Richards is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards throws a strike but Cockx rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cockx wanted to stand there but Richards had control of the position.
Richards is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cockx is not content to let Richards control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Richards lands a nice short elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Richards lands a nice short elbow.

Cockx is rocked!
Richards lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Cockx! More strikes land and this one is all over! Richards jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Luca Richards!
A relieved looking Luca Richards thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Philippe Cockx spoke after the fight, saying 'Despite my lose A big thanks on the organisation Newark Regional Circuit who make me the possbility fighting here tonight and also a big thanks on the fans and public giving me the support. You'r the best !!! I'll be back much better and stronger !!!'.