PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Knox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Kovalchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ilya Kovalchuk will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Knox
vs
Kovalchuk

182 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
189 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Knox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Kovalchuk!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knox throws a body punch but Kovalchuk moves out of range.
Knox lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kovalchuk takes a step back to recover.
Knox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk misses with a straight right.
A solid leg kick lands there for Knox.
A slapping leg kick lands for Knox.
Kovalchuk slips a jab from Knox.
Kovalchuk takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kovalchuk swings for the body but Knox moves out of range.
Knox takes one to the chin there.
Ilya Kovalchuk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Knox decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kovalchuk has hold of Knox's hands but Knox slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knox stops Kovalchuk from getting back to his feet.
Knox not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Knox moves nicely into side control.

Kovalchuk sneaks out the side door and pushes Knox away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Knox lunges at Kovalchuk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kovalchuk's hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Knox moves out of range of the strikes.
Knox takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Knox keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk throws a hook but Knox blocks it.
Knox lands with a thumping leg kick.
Knox lands with a straight right. Kovalchuk didn't see that one coming.
Knox ducks under a wild hook from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A nice inside leg kick there by Knox. That's going to slow Kovalchuk down.
Kovalchuk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
Kovalchuk looks gassed!
The fighters circling - Kovalchuk throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A left lands for Knox.
Knox connects with a looping right hand.
Knox connects with a solid leg kick.
Knox lands a nice looking body shot.

Knox bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalchuk taking punishment in the form of punches.
Knox has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kovalchuk!
Knox lands a big shot there that rocks Kovalchuk but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kovalchuk is bucking up trying to escape but Knox cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Knox pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Kovalchuk wants to get back to his feet but in bucking up he's left an arm hanging out! Knox has locked onto it and has pulled off a slick armbar! Kovalchuk taps furiously! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Chris Knox!
Chris Knox retains his middleweight title!