PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liam McKnight (ranked 3392 p4p, 3275 weight class) and Akello McGee (ranked 455 p4p, 446 weight class). McKnight comes to the cage accompanied by Praise The Lord (Da Shine) - A$AP Rocky ft. Skepta. Akello McGee will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

McKnight
vs
McGee

188 cm
29
181
9 - 6 - 0

190 cm
23
160
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Liam McKnight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akello McGee!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Colin Fotheringham and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGee tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McKnight manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McKnight scoring well with a low kick there.
McKnight tries a head kick but it misses.
McKnight pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McKnight swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from McKnight.
McGee drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McKnight defends it well.
McGee throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McKnight misses with the combination.
McKnight throws a series of punches but McGee avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGee tries to close the distance and clinch up but McKnight swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGee looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McKnight goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKnight tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McGee moves in looking to clinch but McKnight pushes him off.
A combination from McGee does no damage.
McGee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McGee is looking to clinch but McKnight is avoiding it.
We've been told by McKnight's head coaches at Finch Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McKnight misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

McKnight gets tackled into the cage by McGee. McGee maintains the clinch.
McKnight has had enough of the clinch but McGee keeps him there for the moment.

McKnight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGee tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKnight throws a sloppy head kick and McGee moves out of range easily.
McGee looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

McGee fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McKnight, pushing him back against the cage.
McGee lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee is trying to pull guard but McKnight has him pressed against the cage.
McKnight is working McGee over against the cage.

McKnight breaks the clinch.
McKnight tries a head kick but it misses.
McGee with the counter takedown but McKnight avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McKnight takes a swing at McGee's ribcage but misses.
McKnight throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGee is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
McKnight ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McKnight throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McGee tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McKnight manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McGee blocks a head kick by McKnight.
McGee changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
McKnight tests McGee's chin there with a solid looking shot.

McGee takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McKnight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McKnight misses with a body kick.
McGee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McKnight loads up on a big right hand but McGee slips the punch.
McGee uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McKnight.
McKnight pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from McKnight.
McKnight is looking to land body kicks.
McGee connects with a solid leg kick.
McGee tries to clinch up.
McGee tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McKnight manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McKnight throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McKnight.
McKnight lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McGee tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKnight throws a right hand that McGee ducks under and follows up with a left that McGee also avoids with ease.
McGee wants to counter the offense by McKnight and move into the clinch position.

McGee clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McKnight blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the cage, McGee throws an elbow but misses.
McKnight avoids the elbow strike from McGee, against the cage.
McGee is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McKnight is defending well for now.

McKnight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam McKnight dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McKnight tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McGee avoids the head kick by McKnight.
McGee tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McKnight paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGee just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMcKnight.
McGee changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McKnight tries to avoid it but McGee manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McKnight to the ground. McKnight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McKnight looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
McKnight keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like McKnight wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

McGee rushes McKnight and presses him up against the cage.
McKnight blocks an elbow strike from McGee.
McKnight blocks the elbow strike.
McKnight is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McKnight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McKnight misses with an uppercut.
McKnight tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from McGee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKnight tries a head kick but it misses.
McKnight throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
Liam McKnight is winning the standup battle so far.
Sloppy strikes from McKnight. Those never looked like landing.
McKnight sets himself, and McGee steps forward looking for the clinch! McKnight avoids it this time.
Liam McKnight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McKnight takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
McKnight throws a head kick that misses.
McGee fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGee throws a sloppy head kick and McKnight moves out of range easily.
McGee wants to clinch up but McKnight keeps it at a distance.
McKnight misses with a head kick.
McGee scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McGee blocks a head kick by McKnight.
McKnight misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee avoids the head kick by McKnight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGee moves in looking to clinch but McKnight pushes him off.
McGee avoids the head kick by McKnight.
McGee avoids the head kick by McKnight.
McGee doesn't manage to clinch there - McKnight circles away.
Liam McKnight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGee moves out of range as McKnight throws a body kick.

McGee clinches with his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McKnight is trying to break the clinch but McGee has him pressed against the cage.
McGee pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
McGee dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

McKnight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKnight throws a half hearted mid kick.
McGee tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
McGee bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McKnight looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McKnight throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGee tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McKnight paws at him with a jab and circles away.

McGee dives in and scores a takedown into McKnight's guard.

McKnight has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. McGee is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
McGee keeps control of McKnight as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

McKnight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGee blocks a head kick by McKnight.
McGee steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from McKnight.
McGee connects with a solid leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McKnight misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee blocks a jab.

McGee clinches up with McKnight and pushes him back against the cage.
McKnight blocks an elbow strike.
McGee crunches a lovely knee into McKnight's ribcage.
McGee unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McKnight misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McGee.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McGee utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

McKnight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McKnight throws a sloppy head kick and McGee moves out of range easily.
McGee tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
McGee fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McKnight looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam McKnight dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McKnight throws a leg kick

and McGee counters with a single leg into guard. McKnight didn't expect that.

McKnight manages to escape and get back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McGee.
McKnight swats away the attempt to clinch by McGee.

McGee has taken the fight to the clinch.
McKnight avoids a wild elbow strike from McGee.
McGee throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akello McGee seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McKnight lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
McKnight is trying to break the clinch but McGee has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGee is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McKnight is keeping busy.
McGee has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. McKnight seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if McGee can turn it around.
McGee using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McKnight has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McGee misses with a punch on the inside.

McKnight manages to break the clinch.
McKnight throws a leg kick

and McGee moves into the clinch.
McKnight is trying to break the clinch but McGee is controlling him.
McKnight is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McGee can do to turn this around?

McKnight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McKnight throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from McKnight.
McKnight swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and McGee moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKnight avoids the elbow strike from McGee, against the cage.
McGee has McKnight pressed against the cage, preventing McKnight from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McKnight tries to circle away but McGee has him pinned against the cage.

McKnight's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McKnight is looking to land body kicks.
McKnight has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
McKnight misses with a head kick.
McKnight avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGee wants to clinch up but McKnight keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from McKnight.
McGee is looking to clinch but McKnight is avoiding it.
McGee blocks a head kick by McKnight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McKnight throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
McGee feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A combination from McKnight does no damage.
McKnight misses with a left hand
and McGee counters with a nice leg kick.
McGee buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McKnight swats away the attempt to clinch by McGee.
McKnight looks to land a body kick but McGee moved away.
McGee throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

McGee rushes McKnight and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McKnight trying to control the position but instead, McGee has worked for underhooks and has pushed McKnight into the cage.
McKnight avoiding damage as McGee throws knees to the body.
Akello McGee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee is trying to drag McKnight to the mat but McKnight just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McGee wants a takedown.
Liam McKnight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akello McGee.
McGee tries a knee to the head but McKnight blocks it.
McGee drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McKnight gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A frustrated look appears on McKnight's face as he tries to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Liam McKnight.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McKnight, 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam McKnight!
Liam McKnight managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing, into his post fight interview.