PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nano Lionel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nano Lionel has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Michael Knight's chin.

Knight
vs
Lionel

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nano Lionel!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knight will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Knight drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lionel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Knight is one step ahead there.

Knight stands up and waves to Lionel to follow him.
Lionel tries to clinch there but Knight circles away.
Lionel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Knight. Knight obviously looking to wear him down.

Knight is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lionel's half guard.
Lionel wants to sweep but Knight has passed to side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lionel is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight working the ground and pound.

Knight stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Knight looks for a takedown but Lionel sprawls well.

Knight closes the distance and pushes Lionel back into the cage.
Lionel wants a takedown but no success here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Knight - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Knight has Lionel pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Knight pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lionel tumbling to the mat - Knight dives into Lionel's guard.
Lionel is looking to stand up but Knight isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lionel keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.
Knight trying to control but Lionel is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lionel controls Knight momentarily but Knight frees himself.
Knight looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Michael Knight.
Nice takedown defense from Knight. No joy for Lionel on that attempt.
Knight is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lionel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Knight closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lionel's guard.
Lionel managing to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Knight controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Lionel should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Knight pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lionel is keeping the position for now.
Knight is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lionel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Knight gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Lionel looks gassed!
Lionel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Knight.
A good leg kick by Knight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lionel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Knight looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Knight tries to bench press Lionel off him but Lionel keeps the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knight manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lionel controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Knight dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Knight shoots in looking for a takedown but Lionel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Knight's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Knight dives in and grabs Lionel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lionel pushes down on Knight's head and hops out.
Lionel shoots in and drives through. Knight sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Lionel as Knight shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight tries to clinch but Lionel moves out of range.

Knight has managed to clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Knight has Lionel pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Knight pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lionel tumbling to the mat - Knight dives into Lionel's guard.
Lionel looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Lionel has wrist control.
Knight stopping the sweep attempt from Lionel.
Lionel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Knight gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Knight tries to sprawl but Lionel drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lionel tries to stand but can't do so whilst Knight controls his leg.
Knight makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Knight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Knight has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lionel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lionel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knight's head.
Knight will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knight wants to control the position but Lionel says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Knight trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Lionel manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight is wriggling around trying to escape.
Knight wants to hold on but Lionel pushes him away.
Lionel raining down shots from the mount!
Knight is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lionel wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Lionel trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Knight is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lionel with the ground and pound from mount.
Knight is trying to escape the mount.
Lionel looking to control and managing it successfully.
Lionel thowing shots but they're missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knight tries to lock up and control but Lionel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nano Lionel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Knight is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body kick there by Knight.
Knight shoots in for a takedown but Lionel shows good takedown defense.
Lionel swats away the attempt to clinch by Knight.
Knight throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Lionel shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Lionel was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight tries to hold on but Lionel pushes him away.
Lionel wants to control the pace but Knight is squirming around nicely.
Lionel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight wants to control but Lionel is having none of it.
Knight is looking to get to half guard.
Knight gets back to half guard.
Knight gets back to full guard.
Lionel trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lionel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Knight throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Lionel from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Lionel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knight has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lionel has managed to get both his arms back between Knight's legs - danger averted.

Knight is looking for a triangle but Lionel pushes his legs off easily.
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.
Lionel with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lionel looking to sit in guard and control but Knight gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lionel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Knight manages to get himself to full guard.
Lionel won't allow Knight to sweep him here.
Lionel passes Knight's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Knight missing with punches from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lionel trying to control the action but Knight is working from the bottom.
Lionel is looking to advance position but Knight won't allow it.
Knight wants to control but Lionel is keeping busy.
Knight is not content to let Lionel control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knight wants to control but Lionel is keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Knight showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knight has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Knight!