PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leo Cox (ranked 13190 p4p, 4353 weight class) and Keith Tillbrook (ranked 0 p4p, 427 weight class). The key to victory for Leo Cox has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cox
vs
Tillbrook

200 cm
47
250
2 - 2 - 0

186 cm
18
260
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leo Cox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Keith Tillbrook!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cox shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tillbrook is looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tillbrook can do anything to dispel that myth.

Cox is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tillbrook won't allow Cox to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tillbrook tries to kick Cox off but Cox keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tillbrook is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Cox is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Cox is trying to control. Tillbrook wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox closes the distance and clinches up with Tillbrook, looking for a takedown. Cox pushes Tillbrook against the cage but Tillbrook circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tillbrook should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Cox shoots in but Tillbrook avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cox goes for a double leg but Tillbrook avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tillbrook continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leo Cox. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tillbrook works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Cox knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tillbrook on the ground.
Tillbrook preventing the sweep.
Cox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cox is looking for a triangle but Tillbrook pushes his legs off easily.
Tillbrook landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillbrook throws an elbow that misses. Cox uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tillbrook's guard. Nice move by Cox!

Cox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cox wants to stand and escape but instead Tillbrook has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Tillbrook trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Tillbrook has eaten all the pies!
Tillbrook throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.
Tillbrook lands a couple of elbows.
Tillbrook trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox being controlled here, momentarily.

Cox is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tillbrook defends well.
Tillbrook is in close to Cox's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tillbrook postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tillbrook trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tillbrook works over Cox with some ground and pound from guard.
Cox looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice takedown defense from Cox. No joy for Tillbrook on that attempt.

Cox gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tillbrook to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tillbrook throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.
Tillbrook trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tillbrook content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Cox looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tillbrook lands a couple of elbows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tillbrook trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox wants to stand up but Tillbrook is controlling him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cox has momentary wrist control but Tillbrook slips an elbow through the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Tillbrook dominated that round.
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.

Cox instigates a clinch.
Cox gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tillbrook.

Cox jumps guard and drags Tillbrook to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tillbrook scoring with some ground and pound.
Tillbrook preventing the sweep.

Cox is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tillbrook postures up in Cox's guard and throws a big left but Cox blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox trying to keep a closed guard but Tillbrook is proving a slippery customer.
Tillbrook with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tillbrook slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Tillbrook with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tillbrook throwing strikes from guard but Cox blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A head kick misses from Cox.

Tillbrook darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cox has hold of Tillbrook's hands but Tillbrook slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tillbrook is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Cox!
Tillbrook has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillbrook lands a nice shot to the head.
Cox tries to lock up and control but Tillbrook gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tillbrook is landing with some decent strikes but Cox is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Tillbrook is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cox can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Tillbrook controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cox is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Keith Tillbrook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tillbrook lands with some strikes.
Tillbrook landing strikes, looking to finish!
Tillbrook landing strikes from the mount and Cox is in trouble!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tillbrook lands a big shot there that rocks Cox but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Tillbrook takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Tillbrook landing strikes from the mount and Cox is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tillbrook avoids the attempt from Cox to control.
Tillbrook working the ground and pound effectively.
Tillbrook lands a nice shot to the head.
Tillbrook raining down shots from the mount!
Cox takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Tillbrook has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cox can't escape the position.
Cox tries to buck Tillbrook off but he can't manage it.
Cox tries to hold on but Tillbrook pushes him away.
Tillbrook is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cox can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Tillbrook lands a big elbow.
Tillbrook wants to control the pace but Cox is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tillbrook is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Cox is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tillbrook in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Cox tries to lock up and control but Tillbrook gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cox is bucking up trying to escape but Tillbrook cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cox is desperately trying to improve his position but Tillbrook has a good base and remains in mount.
Tillbrook scoring with strikes but Cox is staying in there.
Cox tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tillbrook landing strikes, looking to finish!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tillbrook is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Cox is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Tillbrook trying to control but Cox is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Tillbrook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Tillbrook tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cox sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tillbrook somewhat.

Tillbrook tries to keep at a distance but Cox has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tillbrook blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cox manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cox striking off his back but it's not causing Tillbrook any problems.
Tillbrook with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tillbrook wants to control from the top but Cox keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Cox is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cox keeping moving, preventing Tillbrook from controlling successfully.
Cox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cox keeping moving, preventing Tillbrook from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cox is looking to clinch.
And Tillbrook tries to counter it with a takedown but Cox pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Tillbrook gets caught flat footed, as Cox shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Tillbrook is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cox is controlling him.
Cox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tillbrook is keeping the position for now.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Tillbrook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox is stalling in the full guard.
Cox has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tillbrook is working an open guard so Cox takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Cox as Tillbrook shoots in.
An inside leg kick lands from Cox.
Cox shoots in but no luck this time.
Tillbrook with a poor takedown
and Cox counters with a straight right hand.
Leo Cox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Tillbrook.
Tillbrook takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cox will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tillbrook misses with a takedown attempt
and Cox counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Leo Cox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cox rushes Tillbrook and presses him up against the cage.

Cox gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox wants to pass to mount but Tillbrook is defending the position.
Cox missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cox is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Cox is keen to just control but Tillbrook is a slippery customer.
Leo Cox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cox thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Cox showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tillbrook 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Tillbrook!