PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Branko Banik (ranked 2120 p4p, 2356 weight class) and Terrell Knight (ranked 280 p4p, 301 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Knight's choice of entrance music: HonestKey- Keep Fightin'. Branko Banik has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Banik
vs
Knight

183 cm
20
179
5 - 2 - 0

177 cm
20
179
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($20 SPECIAL ALL CLOTHES!)

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Branko Banik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Terrell Knight!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banik misses with an uppercut
and Knight counters with a stiff right hand.
Banik will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Knight takes a swing at Banik's ribcage but misses.
Banik appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Banik misses with a body shot
and Knight counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Banik thinking.
Banik dodges the punch combination from Knight.
Banik changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Knight darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Knight scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight lands a jab to Banik's midsection.
Knight cracks a nice hook into Banik's ribs.
Knight falls off balance throwing a combination

and Banik counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banik trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Knight looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Banik from controlling successfully.
Knight managing to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Knight can do anything to dispel that myth.
Banik won't allow Knight to sweep him here.
Knight manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Banik manages to get himself to full guard.

We've been hearing good reports from Banik'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.
Banik punching to the body, from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Banik is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Banik is trying to control. Knight wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Knight is controlling Banik's trapped leg to prevent Banik from advancing to side control.
Knight works his way to full guard. Good work.
Knight is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Banik is in close to Knight's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Knight seems keen to control Banik's posture.
Let's hope that Knight has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banik working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Banik throws a big elbow that misses.
Knight pulls Banik in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banik throwing strikes but missing.
Banik throws a strike but Knight rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Banik manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Knight manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight pulls Banik in close to his closed guard and prevents Banik from doing any damage or advancing position.
Knight is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Knight pulls Banik in close to prevent any damage.
Banik stops Knight from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Banik throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banik is looking to work some ground and pound but Knight has wrist control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Terrell Knight dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banik throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knight has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knight works Banik's body with a nice hook.
Knight misses with an uppercut.
Knight looks to land a combination but Banik avoids it well.
Banik ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knight moves away.
Knight misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banik attempts a counter takedown but Knight avoids it well and moves away.
Banik tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
Terrell Knight seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Banik closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Banik takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight looks to score with a jab to the body but Banik is just out of range.
Knight looks to score with a jab to the body but Banik is just out of range.
Banik staying out of range there.
Banik throws a right hand that misses
enabling Knight to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banik uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knight.
Knight uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banik.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Banik.
Banik has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Knight finds it's way round the side to connect with Banik's head.
A big right from Knight misses.
Knight looks to land a right hand but Banik moved out of range.
Knight throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Banik stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Knight uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banik.
Banik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knight.
Knight throws a lazy right hand but Banik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Knight throws a body shot but no joy.
Banik moves out of range as Knight strikes.
Knight lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knight.
Knight misses with a jab to the body

and Banik counters with a single leg into guard. Knight didn't expect that.
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!
Banik is looking to work some ground and pound but Knight has wrist control.
Banik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knight wants to sweep here but Banik controlling him for the moment.
Banik working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Banik pushes down on Knight's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Banik trying to pass the guard but Knight defending well.
Banik 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.
Knight avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banik.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banik lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Banik sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knight defending well though.
Knight is doing well to control the position and prevent Banik from advancing to side control.
Branko Banik overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Knight trying to control here.
Banik is trying to control the action in half guard but Knight is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Banik working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Knight wants to improve his position but Banik is controlling well.
Knight trying to control here.
Banik is trying to control. Knight wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight tries to get to full guard but Banik has control of the leg.
Banik is looking to stall here but Knight recovers full guard.
Banik in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Banik trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banik being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Banik tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
Knight throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Terrell Knight showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Knight throws a hook to the side of Banik's head but Banik sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Banik drops his hands momentarily and Knight takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
No joy there for Knight, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
Knight lands with a straight right. Banik didn't see that one coming.
Terrell Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banik takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Knight jabs Banik right on the nose. Banik blinks but takes it well.
Banik connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Banik just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Banik looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Banik shoots in looking for a takedown but Knight manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Banik's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Knight's corner calls for a 1-2. Knight obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knight throws a body punch but Banik moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight throws a hook but Banik blocks it.
Banik feinted with a counter takedown.
Knight stalks Banik and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Banik's face. Banik staggers backwards, shaken.
Banik throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knight cracks Banik with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Knight. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Knight.
Knight looks to score with a jab to the body but Banik is just out of range.
Knight connects with a body shot.
Banik ducks right into an uppercut from Knight.
Knight throws a shot from downtown. Banik moves away and avoids it.
Banik throws a nice looking combination but Knight bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Knight lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight goes for a double leg but Banik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Banik continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banik misses the body punch
and Banik takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Banik is looking to clinch.
A nice side step and Knight releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Knight pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Knight has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Knight there as he acknowledges the shot.
Knight lands a glancing blow to the side of Banik's head.
Banik throws a hook but Knight avoids it easily.
Knight darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Banik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Knight connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed right hand from Banik misses the target.
A jab from Knight misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Banik. No joy for Knight on that attempt.
Knight connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Banik's hands.
Banik avoids the body shot from Knight.
Banik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Knight tries to avoid it but Banik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Knight to the ground. Knight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It seemed like Knight was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Branko Banik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Banik.
Banik slips a jab from Knight.
Branko Banik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banik sizes up Knight with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Banik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knight.
Knight doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Knight lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banik circles away quickly and effectively.
Banik throws a shot to the body.
Knight lands a lovely overhand right.

Banik pushes Knight up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Banik misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight lands an uppercut.
Knight is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Knight misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Banik drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Knight gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Terrell Knight is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A hook to the body from Knight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knight blocking some punches.
Banik blocks a body shot from Knight.
Banik throws a head punch that misses.
Banik is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Knight is keeping busy.
Banik misses with a punch to the body.
Banik misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Terrell Knight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Knight winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Terrell Knight!
A victorious Terrell Knight thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.