PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam Holt (ranked 2550 p4p, 2937 weight class) and Flynn Knightley (ranked 195 p4p, 221 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Holt
vs
Knightley

165 cm
28
135
4 - 4 - 0

170 cm
22
135
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Hakaka La'au Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sam Holt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Flynn Knightley!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Steve Montenegro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holt throws a body punch but Knightley moves out of range.
Knightley misses with a hook.
Knightley throws a hook to the side of Holt's head but Holt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holt slips a jab from Knightley.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knightley. Holt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knightley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Holt was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Knightley.
Holt keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Some wild striking there from Knightley.
A swing and a miss from Knightley.
Holt is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knightley jabs Holt right on the nose. Holt blinks but takes it well.
Knightley scores with a shot to the body.
Knightley slips a straight right by Holt.

Knightley manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Holt on his heels. He'll look to pass Holt's guard now, I'm sure.

Holt uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Knightley drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Holt defends it well.
Holt scores with a three punch combo!
Knightley moves away from the strike by Holt.
Knightley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sam Holt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Knightley sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Knightley misses with a body shot.
A big right from Knightley misses.
Holt throws a shot to the body.
Holt uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knightley.
Holt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knightley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holt.
Knightley takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knightley misses with a looping left.
Holt looks to land a combination but Knightley avoids it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knightley lunges at Holt with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Holt's hand.
Holt lands a nice shot that snaps Knightley's head back.
Knightley darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Knightley lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Holt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Knightley.
Knightley is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Knightley lands a jab to Holt's midsection.
Knightley misses with a body shot.
Holt swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sam Holt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knightley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holt manages to avoid it.
Holt takes a swing at Knightley's ribcage but misses.
Knightley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holt paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Holt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt lands with a good body shot.
Knightley's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Holt connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Knightley scrambles back to his feet.
No joy there for Holt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knightley tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Holt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holt throws a shot from downtown. Knightley moves away and avoids it.
Holt connects with a good right hand that stumbles Knightley. Knightley circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Holt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Knightley.
Holt misses with an uppercut.
Knightley ducks right into an uppercut from Holt.
Knightley takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Holt closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Holt misses with a looping left.
A big left from Holt misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt misses with the combination.
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!
Holt lands a slapping body shot.
Holt's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Knightley connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Holt scrambles back to his feet.
Knightley misses with a body shot.
Knightley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Knightley looks to score with a jab to the body but Holt is just out of range.
Knightley staying out of range there.
Holt scores with a body shot.
Holt throws a body shot but no joy.
Knightley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Knightley with the counter takedown but Holt avoids it easily.
Holt lands a two punch combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knightley throws a lazy right hand but Holt sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Holt 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.

Knightley walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Holt misses with a wild body shot.
Knightley throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Holt sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Holt connects with a crisp jab.
Knightley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Holt misses the target.
Sam Holt is winning the standup battle so far.
Holt moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Holt was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Knightley.
Holt takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Knightley misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holt takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Knightley connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Holt looks to throw the jab but Knightley is out of range.
Knightley is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Knightley uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Holt.
Holt misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt tries to bum rush Knightley with a series of wild strikes but Knightley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A right-left combo lands from Holt.
Holt takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Knightley loads up on a big right hand but Holt slips the punch.
Knightley fails to land with a series of punches.
Knightley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Knightley swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A big right from Knightley misses.
Knightley misses with a takedown attempt - Holt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Holt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Knightley.
Holt misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt just misses with a punch to the body.
Holt throws a right and a left that Knightley avoids nicely.
Knightley misses with a wild body shot.
Knightley scores with a nice head shot.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Knightley. Holt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holt scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Holt misses with a series of wild punches.
Knightley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holt.
Knightley is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Holt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Knightley finds it's way round the side to connect with Holt's head.
Knightley moves out of range as Holt strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt scores with a jab. Knightley acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Knightley takes one to the side of the head.
A big right from Holt misses.
Knightley drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Holt defends it well.
Holt digs a good body shot into Knightley's ribs.
Knightley slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Holt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knightley.
Jab, jab by Holt - just one landing.
Holt closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Knightley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Holt.
Holt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Knightley feints the counter takedown.
Knightley fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knightley throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Holt counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Holt moves forwards but Knightley connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holt displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Knightley slips a straight right by Holt.
Knightley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holt swivels and escapes.
Sam Holt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flynn Knightley.
Knightley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Holt tries to avoid it but Knightley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Holt to the ground. Holt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Knightley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holt defends it nicely.
Holt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knightley.
Knightley avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Holt dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Holt missing with a left hand there. Knightley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knightley feints the counter takedown.
Flynn Knightley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A quick step to the side and Holt tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holt slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Holt misses with a hook.
Knightley ducks right into an uppercut from Holt.
Holt throws a right and a left that both miss.
Knightley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knightley uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Holt.
Knightley misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holt just misses with a punch to the body.
Holt throws a one two combo.

Knightley gets a double leg takedown into Holt's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knightley is in close to Holt's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Knightley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley pushing down on Holt's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Knightley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Holt wants to improve his position but Knightley is controlling well.
Knightley stalling.
Knightley 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.
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.
Knightley working over Holt with some ground and pound. Holt looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Knightley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Holt defending well though.
Holt tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Knightley connects with a nice short shot to Holt's temple.
Holt tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Holt wants to control but Knightley is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Knightley lands a nice short elbow.
Knightley seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Knightley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Holt tries to roll over but Knightley keeps him under control.
Holt is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley working Holt over with strikes.
Knightley lands strikes from half guard.
Knightley is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Knightley looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Knightley seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Holt tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Holt is refusing to be controlled, as Knightley sits in half guard.
Knightley is nestled in close to Holt, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sam Holt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holt knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Knightley on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knightley scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holt wants to control but Knightley is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Holt wants to control the action here but instead Knightley manages to pass to full mount!
Knightley breaks from Holt's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Knightley can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Holt is looking to escape.
Knightley lands a couple of good shots and Holt has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Holt is rocked!
Holt just trying to survive but Knightley is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Knightley is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Holt is defending well though. Knightley let's go of the attempt for now.
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!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Knightley. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

And that's the end of the fight!
Flynn Knightley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Holt has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Holt!