PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Rashid Naji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jasper Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Rashid Naji
vs
Cox

195 cm
31
277 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

196 cm
25
250 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition
Alpha Male

Alpha Male

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Abdul Rashid Naji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jasper Cox!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox throws a nice outside leg kick.
Naji throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cox sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cox with a jab.
Naji with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cox to score with a decent uppercut.
Naji wants to clinch up but Cox keeps it at a distance.
Naji avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cox throws a hook but Naji avoids it easily.
Cox rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Naji connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cox swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cox throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Naji checks a leg kick.
Cox misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Naji.
Cox throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Naji tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cox defends well and Naji ends up having to push Cox into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Cox misses with a punch on the inside.

Cox is fighting off a takedown attempt but Naji is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Cox to the mat. Cox regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Naji drops back looking for a leg! Cox is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cox manages to kick Naji off! Naji jumps back into Cox's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naji postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Naji landing some decent shots from guard.
Naji 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Naji advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ground and pound from Naji seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Naji throws an elbow but Cox slips to the side and avoids it well.
Naji tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cox's legs.
We've been hearing good reports from Naji's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
An elbow from Naji crashes against the mat.
Naji is looking to take a break and control but Cox is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naji sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Cox is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Cox defending against the ground and pound.
Naji working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Naji wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cox, who protects the arm well.
Cox is not content to let Naji control the position.
Naji landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Naji throws an elbow but Cox slips to the side and avoids it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Naji has an Americana. Cox didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Naji is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Naji hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Abdul Rashid Naji!
Our winner, Abdul Rashid Naji, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.