PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lou Nahtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nahtic kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sleeping My Day Away. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nahtic
vs
Cox

180 cm
32
140 lbs
13 - 15 - 0

167 cm
27
148 lbs
16 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lou Nahtic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Steve Cox!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nahtic tries to clinch but Cox moves out of range.
Nahtic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cox finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nahtic avoids the head kick by Cox.
Nahtic lands with an uppercut that bounces Cox off the cage and back into range.
Nahtic misses with a few strikes there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nahtic moves out of range of the body kick.
Nahtic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nahtic blocks a head kick by Cox.

Cox closes the distance and clinches.
Nahtic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cox.

Nahtic pulls guard effortlessly.
Cox scoring with some ground and pound.
Nahtic keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nahtic is looking for a triangle but Cox pushes his legs off easily.
Cox slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cox trying to control but Nahtic is working from the bottom.
Cox throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nahtic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cox postures up.
Cox chips away with some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cox working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Nahtic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nahtic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two 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.
Cox looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cox working some strikes from top position.
Cox postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cox throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cox working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cox cracks Nahtic with a solid left hand.
Nahtic wants to sweep here but Cox controlling him for the moment.
Cox postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nahtic has his hands on Cox's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox cracks Nahtic with a solid left hand.
Nahtic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cox.
Cox loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cox loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cox working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cox chips away with some ground and pound.
Cox is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nahtic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cox scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cox controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Nahtic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox lands a couple of digs.
Nahtic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cox has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cox throws a big elbow that misses.
Nahtic keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Nahtic is trying to keep Cox in close.
Cox lands a couple of elbows.
Cox is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cox cracks Nahtic with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cox throwing strikes but missing.
Cox wants to control from the top but Nahtic keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cox circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cox tries a head kick but it misses.
Nahtic throws a sloppy head kick and Cox moves out of range easily.
Nahtic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cox throws out the jab.
Cox throws a shot from downtown. Nahtic moves away and avoids it.
Nahtic tries to clinch but Cox moves out of range.
Nahtic is looking to clinch but Cox is avoiding it.
Cox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lou Nahtic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nahtic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nahtic tries to clinch there but Cox circles away.
Cox takes a swing at Nahtic's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nahtic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've been told by Nahtic's head coaches at Death Valley Training Facility that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nahtic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cox manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cox darts in looking for a takedown but Nahtic gets double underhooks and turns Cox into the cage.
Cox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nahtic manages to avoid it.
It looked like Nahtic was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nahtic is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Cox throws a head kick that misses.
Nahtic blocks a head kick by Cox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox scores with a head kick. Nahtic tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nahtic slips a straight right by Cox.
Cox avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nahtic lands a head kick. Cox smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Cox clinches up with Nahtic and pushes him back against the cage.
Nahtic looking to throw knees to the head but Cox is blocking nicely.
Cox lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nahtic backwards.
Nahtic tries to break free but Cox pushes him back against the cage.
Cox lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cox changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nahtic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nahtic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cox scores with a nice head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice uppercut lands for Nahtic. That snapped Cox's head back.
Nahtic tries to clinch up but Cox circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nahtic tries to keep at a distance but Cox has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cox misses with a punch on the inside.

Cox pulls Nahtic into guard.
Cox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nahtic trying to control but Cox is working from the bottom.
Cox looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nahtic trying to control the position from guard on top but Cox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cox working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nahtic manages to get himself to full guard.

Nahtic looking to control.
Cox lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cox throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nahtic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Nahtic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nahtic keeping full guard, as Cox tries to pass.
Cox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic wants to stand but Cox is controlling the position.
Cox looking to sit in guard and control but Nahtic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cox is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nice strikes from Cox there.
Cox wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nahtic keeps working.
Nahtic trying to control from the bottom.
Nahtic wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cox 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.

Cox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cox connects with a body shot that sends Nahtic's belly button to the back.
Nahtic tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Cox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cox misses with a head kick.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nahtic wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nahtic tries to clinch there but Cox circles away.
Cox throws a head kick but Nahtic moves out of range.
Nahtic tries to close the distance and clinch but Cox swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cox throws a sloppy head kick and Nahtic moves out of range easily.
Cox takes one on the button.
Nahtic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cox tries a head kick but it misses.
Cox fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nahtic is looking to counter the offense by Cox and move into the clinch.
Steve Cox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot by Nahtic.

Cox forces Nahtic back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahtic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cox misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cox is pushing Nahtic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Nahtic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nahtic wants to clinch.
Cox wants to counter the offense by Nahtic and move into the clinch position.
Nahtic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cox avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cox changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Nahtic pushes Cox up against the cage in a clinch.
Nahtic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cox misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox is working Nahtic over against the cage.
Nahtic pushes Cox back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cox has a couple of punches blocked by Nahtic.
Cox lands a right hand.

Cox's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cox tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Nahtic.
Cox is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Cox dives in and scores a takedown into Nahtic's guard.
Nahtic is wriggling around but Cox manages to pass to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nahtic wants to control but Cox is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cox not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nahtic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nahtic gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic can't keep his opponent in guard - Cox advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Nahtic is defending against the submission attempts here by Cox.
Cox wants to control but Nahtic is keeping him busy.
Cox throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nahtic trying to hold on to Cox's head to control him but Cox postures up.
Cox tries to pass to full mount but Nahtic defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cox working the head and body with strikes.
Nahtic is trying to stand.
Cox drops an elbow to the side of Nahtic's head.
Cox content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cox lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cox looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cox looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nahtic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cox really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nahtic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nahtic sets himself, and Cox steps forward looking for the clinch! Nahtic avoids it this time.
Nahtic throws a head kick but Cox moves out of range.

Cox closes the distance and clinches.
Cox is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nahtic stalling in the clinch.
Cox has Nahtic pushed against the cage.
Cox keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nahtic's efforts to push away.

Nahtic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Cox with that takedown attempt.
Nahtic misses with a double jab.
Cox throws a sloppy head kick and Nahtic moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox tries to stall but Nahtic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cox stalls.

Nahtic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nahtic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Nahtic has Cox up against the cage in a clinch.
Cox dodges an elbow strike from Nahtic.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cox takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Nahtic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cox throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nahtic's head.
Nahtic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cox misses with a head kick.
Cox lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Nahtic.
Cox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nahtic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cox takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nahtic feinted with a counter takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nahtic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cox lands a body shot.
Nahtic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nahtic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cox looks for the body kick but Nahtic saw that one coming.
A head kick misses from Nahtic.
Cox avoids the head kick by Nahtic.
Cox gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nahtic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nahtic misses with a few strikes there.
Cox pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic throws a series of punches but Cox moves out of range.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Cox gets a double leg takedown into Nahtic's guard.
Cox scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cox missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cox preventing the sweep.
Nahtic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cox working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nahtic's head.
Cox with a nice head shot there.
Cox postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cox working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic is looking to stand up but Cox isn't so interested in that idea.
Nahtic keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Cox prevents Nahtic from getting back to his feet.
Nahtic being controlled here, momentarily.
Cox in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cox wants to control from the top but Nahtic keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cox throws a sloppy head kick and Nahtic moves out of range easily.
Nahtic lands a head kick. Cox smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Lou Nahtic will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nahtic gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Nahtic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nahtic connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Cox shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nahtic napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nahtic bucks up and tries to throw Cox off but instead Cox has got his back!
Nahtic is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Cox is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Nahtic has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Cox has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Nahtic taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Cox doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Steve Cox!
Steve Cox is the new bantamweight champion!
Our winner, Steve Cox, 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.