PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Don Knotts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knotts comes to the cage accompanied by James Brown - Superbad. Raphael Nero is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Knotts
vs
Nero

188 cm
25
220 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

186 cm
21
197 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Don Knotts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raphael Nero!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nero fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Knotts sprawls well initially but Nero persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Knotts tries to roll over but Nero keeps him under control.
Knotts has hold of Nero's hands but Nero slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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. Nero connects with a nice short shot to Knotts's temple.
Knotts flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nero prevents Knotts from improving his position.
Nero blocks the strikes from Knotts.
Knotts throws a strike from the bottom but Nero passes into side control!
Knotts takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knotts is looking to regain half guard here but Nero keeps moving and retains side control.
Knotts is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nero blocks the strikes from Knotts.
Nero cracks Knotts with a big right hand but Knotts just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Nero creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Nero working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knotts misses with a strike from the bottom.
Nero has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Knotts is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Knotts is looking to regain half guard here but Nero keeps moving and retains side control.
Knotts takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

It looks like Don Knotts has been cut.
Nero is working Knotts over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nero taking a breather here.
Knotts tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Knotts on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Knotts wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Knotts sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nero is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Knotts tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nero trying to control the action but Knotts is working from the bottom.
Knotts misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Knotts is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Knotts tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nero landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Knotts tries to roll over but Nero keeps him under control.
Nero lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nero stalling.
Knotts strikes from the bottom but Nero uses the opportunity to move to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knotts is letting Nero control him for a moment.
Nero landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Nero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Knotts is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Knotts wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Nero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knotts keeps working.
Nero blocks the strikes from Knotts.
Nero is putting a hurting on Knotts here, landing some big shots from side control.
Knotts is trying to improve his position.
Knotts is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nero's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nero is trying to control. Knotts wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knotts is pressing down on Nero's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Knotts has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Nero has passed into side control.
Nero blocks the strikes from Knotts.
Nero trying to control the position but Knotts is working away.
Knotts tries to improve position but can't.
Knotts is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nero's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Nero lands with a punch from half guard.
Knotts missing with punches from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knotts flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Nero has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Knotts defend it? Nero steps over the head and cranks it - Knotts is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Nero!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Raphael Nero!
After the fight, Raphael Nero was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.