PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jason Knowledge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Knowledge
vs
Russell

172 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jason Knowledge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Russell!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown. Knowledge tries to sprawl out of it but Russell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knowledge manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Knowledge bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Russell's head backwards.
Russell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Knowledge misses with a wild combination.
Russell tries to clinch there but Knowledge circles away.
Jab by Knowledge.
Knowledge misses the shot to the body.
Knowledge closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Knowledge.

Russell is rocked!
Russell doesn't manage to clinch there - Knowledge circles away.
Russell ducks under a wild hook from Knowledge.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knowledge thows a left - swing and a miss!
Knowledge throws the left hand but Russell avoids the punch easily.
Knowledge misses with a body shot.
Russell misses with a body kick.
Russell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown but Knowledge manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Russell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Russell wants to clinch.
Russell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knowledge sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Russell somewhat.
Jason Knowledge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Russell.
Russell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knowledge avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Russell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Knowledge lands with a nice combination. Russell backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Michael Russell has been cut.
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!
Knowledge connects with a body shot that sends Russell's belly button to the back.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown but Knowledge manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Russell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Russell looks gassed!
Russell shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knowledge pinned against the cage. Knowledge gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knowledge misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knowledge throws a nice looking combination but Russell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Knowledge lands a head shot.
Good exchange - Knowledge coming out on top.
Knowledge throws a series of punches but Russell moves out of range.
Knowledge misses with a double jab.
Knowledge throws a series of punches but Russell moves out of range.
Russell shoots in but no luck this time.
Knowledge tries to bum rush Russell with a series of wild strikes but Russell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Knowledge lands a jab-cross combination.
Knowledge blocks a head kick by Russell.
Knowledge fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Knowledge connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Russell's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knowledge moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Russell. No joy for Knowledge on that attempt.
Russell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Knowledge.

Russell darts in and clinches Knowledge up against the cage.
Knowledge misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell blocks an uppercut.
Russell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Knowledge to keep the fight standing.
Knowledge fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Knowledge dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Russell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Russell fails to land the takedown.
A swing and a miss from Russell.
Knowledge lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russell circles away quickly and effectively.
Knowledge misses with a series of wild punches.
Russell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knowledge was well out of range. Poor timing from Russell.
Knowledge throws a nice looking combination but Russell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Russell moves into the clinch.
Russell is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Knowledge pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Russell pulls guard effortlessly.
Knowledge is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell working a defensive guard here.
Knowledge trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knowledge throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Russell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Knowledge walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Russell checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Knowledge lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russell circles away quickly and effectively.
A right-left combo lands from Knowledge.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russell tries for a takedown but Knowledge sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jason Knowledge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Russell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Russell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Knowledge moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Russell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Russell connects with a solid leg kick.
Jason Knowledge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knowledge throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Knowledge throws a combination that misses
and Russell counters with a leg kick.
Russell dives in and grabs Knowledge's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knowledge pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Knowledge stuns Russell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Knowledge.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown. Knowledge tries to sprawl out of it but Russell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knowledge manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Knowledge misses with a few strikes there.
Michael Russell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russell checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A punch combination from Knowledge misses.
Knowledge uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Russell.
Knowledge fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Knowledge misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Russell or perhaps it was just good defense by Knowledge which made him look bad.
Russell is looking to slow Knowledge down with leg kicks.
Knowledge scores with a jab. Russell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Knowledge misses with a few strikes there.
Knowledge changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Russell tries to avoid it but Knowledge manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Russell to the ground. Russell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Russell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch combination from Knowledge misses.
Knowledge misses with a combination
and Russell counters with a head kick. That will keep Knowledge thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Knowledge dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michael Russell's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Russell scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Knowledge lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russell circles away quickly and effectively.
Knowledge swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jason Knowledge is winning the standup battle so far.
Some wild striking there from Knowledge.
Knowledge misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Russell tries to clinch but Knowledge moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Knowledge. Those never looked like landing.
Russell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Knowledge circles away.
Russell throws a leg kick which misses Knowledge's front leg but catches the back leg as Knowledge tries to avoid it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knowledge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knowledge misses with a double jab
and Russell counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Knowledge is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Knowledge swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Knowledge.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Russell stalling in the clinch but Knowledge improves position.

Russell manages to pull guard.
Russell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Knowledge controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Russell wants to stand but Knowledge is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Knowledge from controlling successfully.

Jason Knowledge has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Russell throws a right hand that Knowledge ducks under and follows up with a left that Knowledge also avoids with ease.
Knowledge dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Knowledge scores with a jab. Russell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell lands a nice looking body shot.
Knowledge throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Knowledge throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knowledge swinging wildly here.
Russell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knowledge sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Russell somewhat.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jason Knowledge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Russell.
Knowledge misses with a combination
and Russell counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knowledge swinging wildly here.
Knowledge stalks Russell and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Russell's face. Russell staggers backwards, shaken.
Knowledge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knowledge stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knowledge wants it to stay on the feet.
Russell fails with the takedown.
Knowledge misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Russell blocks the low kick.
Michael Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knowledge misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jason Knowledge.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Knowledge, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Knowledge!