PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Philippe Mexes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Cro Cop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cro Cop has chosen My Immortal as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mexes
vs
Cro Cop

187 cm
22
205 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Philippe Mexes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Cro Cop!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mexes wants to clinch.
Mexes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mexes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cro Cop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mexes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Philippe Mexes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mexes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cro Cop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mexes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mexes tries to close the distance and clinch but Cro Cop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mexes clinches up with Cro Cop and pushes him back against the cage.
Mexes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cro Cop has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mexes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cro Cop's defenses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cro Cop tries for a takedown but Mexes manages to get underhooks.

Mexes pulls guard successfully.

Mexes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cro Cop wants to pass the guard but Mexes is keeping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cro Cop passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mexes is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Mexes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cro Cop's best efforts.
Cro Cop trying to mount his opponent but Mexes defends it.

Cro Cop seems to be looking for submissions.
Cro Cop tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mexes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Mexes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cro Cop is pressing down on Mexes's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mexes is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mexes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cro Cop pulls his head out easily.

Mexes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cro Cop wants to pass to mount but Mexes is defending the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cro Cop fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cro Cop keeps the fight on the outside.

Mexes darts in and clinches Cro Cop up against the cage.
Mexes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mexes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mexes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cro Cop up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mexes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cro Cop's defenses.
Nice elbow from Mexes.
Cro Cop avoiding damage as Mexes throws knees to the body.
Mexes is pressed up against the cage. Cro Cop has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mexes down to the mat. Mexes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Philippe Mexes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Cro Cop.

Mexes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cro Cop napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Mexes swings around for an armbar but Cro Cop sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mexes's guard.
Mexes wants to sweep here but Cro Cop controlling him for the moment.

Mexes looking for a guillotine here but Cro Cop defends easily.
Mexes is breathing heavily.
Cro Cop pushes down on Mexes's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mexes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cro Cop prevents Mexes from improving his position.
Cro Cop passes to full mount!

Cro Cop is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mexes is surviving well by controlling Cro Cop's body position as best he can.
Mexes is trying desperately to improve position.

Cro Cop jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Mexes manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Mexes tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cro Cop wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mexes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cro Cop off and has taken his back!

Mexes is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cro Cop is defending well though. Mexes let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mexes is looking to clinch.
Mexes tries to clinch but Cro Cop is having none of it.

Mexes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cro Cop blocks an elbow strike from Mexes.
Mexes misses with a knee to the head.
Cro Cop has Mexes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mexes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mexes.
Cro Cop tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mexes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Mexes successfully pulls guard.

Mexes looking for a guillotine here but Cro Cop defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mexes is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Cro Cop rolls with it to try and escape but Mexes cranks on the arm and Cro Cop is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Philippe Mexes!