PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maximus Decimus Meridius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Wilcox (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.

Decimus Meridius
vs
Wilcox

191 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Maximus Decimus Meridius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rory Wilcox!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wilcox gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Decimus Meridius will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Wilcox up against the cage.

Decimus Meridius has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Wilcox is trying to keep an underhook but Decimus Meridius manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Decimus Meridius scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

It looks like Rory Wilcox has been cut.
Nice strikes from Decimus Meridius there.
Wilcox wants to improve his position but Decimus Meridius is controlling well.
Decimus Meridius blocks the strikes from Wilcox.
Decimus Meridius has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wilcox wants to get back to his feet.

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

Wilcox actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wilcox is looking to improve his position.
Decimus Meridius is keen to just control but Wilcox is a slippery customer.

Decimus Meridius is working for a submission of some sort.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Decimus Meridius moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilcox looking for a takedown.

Decimus Meridius breaks the clinch.
Decimus Meridius wants to clinch but Wilcox slips to the side

and Wilcox moves into the clinch.
Wilcox wants a takedown but no success here.

Wilcox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Decimus Meridius doesn't manage to clinch there - Wilcox circles away.
Wilcox keeps the fight on the outside.
Decimus Meridius gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wilcox counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Decimus Meridius!
Wilcox looks gassed!
Decimus Meridius working to try and regain half guard.
Wilcox really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Decimus Meridius. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Wilcox looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Wilcox can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Decimus Meridius is looking to escape.
Wilcox cracks Decimus Meridius with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wilcox working for a submission but Decimus Meridius is keeping him at bay.
BOOM! Wilcox connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Decimus Meridius tries to hold on but Wilcox pushes him away.
Decimus Meridius regains half guard.
Wilcox blocks the strikes from Decimus Meridius.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Decimus Meridius misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Wilcox winds up and cracks Decimus Meridius with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Decimus Meridius on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Decimus Meridius tries to get out of the position.
Decimus Meridius lands with a few short shots to the body.
Decimus Meridius lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Wilcox scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wilcox missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wilcox missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Decimus Meridius has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wilcox is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Decimus Meridius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maximus Decimus Meridius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Wilcox.
Wilcox letting Decimus Meridius take a breather here.

Decimus Meridius turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Wilcox is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Wilcox tries to improve position but can't.
Decimus Meridius wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wilcox keeps working.
Wilcox is looking to regain half guard here but Decimus Meridius keeps moving and retains side control.
Decimus Meridius works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Wilcox is looking for a sweep.

Decimus Meridius working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wilcox tries to buck Decimus Meridius off but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Wilcox shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Decimus Meridius counters by moving into the clinch.

Decimus Meridius jumps guard.
Decimus Meridius might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wilcox wants to pass the guard but Decimus Meridius is keeping the position.
Decimus Meridius punching to the body, from the bottom.

Decimus Meridius is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wilcox is aware though and is defending well.
Wilcox works over Decimus Meridius with some ground and pound from guard.
Decimus Meridius throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Decimus Meridius keeping full guard, as Wilcox tries to pass.
Wilcox working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wilcox tries to free his leg and advance position but Decimus Meridius is retaining full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Decimus Meridius darts in trying to clinch

and Wilcox counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Decimus Meridius's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Maximus Decimus Meridius will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rory Wilcox's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Wilcox throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A left and a right from Wilcox both land. Nice combination.

Decimus Meridius drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Decimus Meridius wants to control from the top but Wilcox keeps moving.
Wilcox working a defensive guard here.
Decimus Meridius stopping the sweep attempt from Wilcox.
Decimus Meridius working some strikes from top position.
Decimus Meridius scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Decimus Meridius lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Decimus Meridius with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wilcox lands with a heel strike from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wilcox takes a swing at Decimus Meridius's ribcage but misses.
Wilcox scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilcox tries for a takedown but Decimus Meridius circles away easily

and Decimus Meridius counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wilcox throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Decimus Meridius content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wilcox throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Decimus Meridius won't allow Wilcox to sweep him here.
Decimus Meridius scoring with punches to the head and body.
Decimus Meridius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wilcox is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Decimus Meridius is controlling him.
Decimus Meridius stopping the sweep attempt from Wilcox.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Decimus Meridius swings away with a body shot that misses
and Wilcox counters with a straight right hand.
Wilcox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wilcox misses with a wild body shot.
Wilcox gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Decimus Meridius counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Decimus Meridius jumps into guard, dragging Wilcox to the mat.
Decimus Meridius lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wilcox!
Wilcox is trying desperately to improve position.
Wilcox takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Maximus Decimus Meridius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wilcox tries to lock up and control but Decimus Meridius gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Decimus Meridius pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Decimus Meridius lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Decimus Meridius is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Wilcox can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Decimus Meridius lands a big elbow.
Wilcox wants to control but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox is wriggling around trying to escape.
Decimus Meridius lands a nice shot to the head.
You get the feeling that Wilcox really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Decimus Meridius avoids the attempt from Wilcox to control.
Decimus Meridius prevents Wilcox from getting the reversal.
Decimus Meridius connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wilcox wants to control but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.
Decimus Meridius breaks from Wilcox's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Wilcox takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Wilcox is wriggling around trying to escape.
Wilcox tries to hold on but Decimus Meridius pushes him away.
Wilcox is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

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.
Decimus Meridius with good strikes from the mount here!
Decimus Meridius lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Wilcox hang on?
Wilcox is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Decimus Meridius connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Decimus Meridius connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Decimus Meridius jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Wilcox manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilcox with a poor takedown

and Decimus Meridius counters with a single leg into guard. Wilcox didn't expect that.
Maximus Decimus Meridius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Wilcox.
Decimus Meridius scoring with some ground and pound.
Wilcox is trying to control the position but Decimus Meridius postures up.
Decimus Meridius lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wilcox lands some strikes from the bottom.
Decimus Meridius scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wilcox wants to stand and escape but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.

Wilcox is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Decimus Meridius defends well.
Wilcox is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximus Decimus Meridius dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rory Wilcox's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Wilcox swats away the attempt to clinch by Decimus Meridius.
Wilcox shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Decimus Meridius but Decimus Meridius pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wilcox darts in trying to clinch

and Decimus Meridius counters with a takedown into side control.
Wilcox takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Wilcox is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Decimus Meridius looks up at the clock and then as Wilcox takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Decimus Meridius smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wilcox takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Wilcox is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decimus Meridius is putting a hurting on Wilcox here, landing some big shots from side control.

Decimus Meridius is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Wilcox has escaped the position, nice work there.
Decimus Meridius creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Wilcox sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Wilcox defending against the ground and pound.
Decimus Meridius throws an elbow but Wilcox slips to the side and avoids it well.
Wilcox is trying to control Decimus Meridius's posture but Decimus Meridius avoids it.
Decimus Meridius working the ground and pound from side control.
Wilcox tries to buck Decimus Meridius off but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.
Wilcox throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Decimus Meridius tries to clinch up.

Decimus Meridius shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Decimus Meridius was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wilcox wants to hold on but Decimus Meridius pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Wilcox wants to control but Decimus Meridius is having none of it.

Decimus Meridius jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Wilcox manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Wilcox can't do much from the bottom here.
Decimus Meridius scoring with punches from side control.
Wilcox tries to improve position but can't.
Wilcox is working to avoid the ground and pound but Decimus Meridius connects with a decent elbow.
Wilcox is looking to reverse the position.
Maximus Decimus Meridius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decimus Meridius cracks Wilcox with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Decimus Meridius trying to control the position but Wilcox is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Wilcox has his takedown stuffed

and Decimus Meridius counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Decimus Meridius wants to control but Wilcox is keeping him busy.
Wilcox is looking to control Decimus Meridius's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wilcox avoid being mounted?
Decimus Meridius is trying to control. Wilcox wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wilcox misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Decimus Meridius is trying to control. Wilcox wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Decimus Meridius is nestled in close to Wilcox, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wilcox is looking to improve his position.

Decimus Meridius is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Decimus Meridius with a poor takedown

and Wilcox counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox tries to pass to full mount but Decimus Meridius defends it.

Wilcox is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Decimus Meridius sees it coming and defends easily.
Wilcox tries to stand and escape but Decimus Meridius is controlling the position.
Decimus Meridius is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wilcox throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wilcox throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Decimus Meridius manages to get to full guard.
Wilcox wants to stand but Decimus Meridius is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wilcox landing some decent shots from guard.
Rory Wilcox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Decimus Meridius striking off his back, scoring a few points.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maximus Decimus Meridius showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Decimus Meridius, 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maximus Decimus Meridius!