PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Martinsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Martinsson
vs
Knight

201 cm
23
246 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eric Martinsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Knight!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Knight.
Martinsson throws a head kick that misses.
Martinsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Knight circles away.
Martinsson tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Martinsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Knight drives through and clinches with Martinsson against the cage.

Knight breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Martinsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Martinsson shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Martinsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Knight throws a series of punches but Martinsson moves out of range.
Knight misses with a double jab.
Knight swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Knight throws a wild body kick that Martinsson sees coming a mile off.
Martinsson wants to clinch up but Knight keeps it at a distance.
Martinsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Knight paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Martinsson as he jumps to the side.
Martinsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Knight throws a series of strikes that have Martinsson backpedaling.

It looks like Eric Martinsson has been cut.
Knight throws a leg kick but Martinsson checks it.
Knight circles away from the clinch attempt.
Martinsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Knight swivels and escapes.
No joy there for Knight, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knight throws a leg kick
and Martinsson counters with a head kick. That will keep Knight thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knight throws a combination that misses
and Martinsson finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Knight looks winded!
Knight finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Martinsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knight sprawls well. Knight wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Martinsson gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Knight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knight moves into the clinch.
Knight has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Knight looking to throw knees to the head but Martinsson is blocking nicely.

Knight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Knight rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Martinsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Martinsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Knight swivels and escapes.
Knight tries to close the distance and clinch up but Martinsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Knight fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mike Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Martinsson moves into the clinch.
Knight is trying to push Martinsson away but Martinsson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Knight has had enough of the clinch but Martinsson keeps him there for the moment.
Martinsson keeps control of Knight as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Martinsson lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Martinsson.

Martinsson breaks from the clinch.
Knight tries to bum rush Martinsson with a series of wild strikes but Martinsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Martinsson tries to clinch up.
A combination from Knight does no damage.
Knight takes a head kick and keeps coming.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Martinsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Knight's elbow.
Knight blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Martinsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Martinsson slips a jab and a cross from Knight.
Martinsson tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight tries to clinch up
and Martinsson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Knight is lucky that one didn't land flush.
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!

Martinsson moves into the clinch.

Martinsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knight swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Martinsson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Knight thinking.
Martinsson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knight sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Knight fails to land with a series of punches.
Martinsson tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A combination from Knight does no damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A punch combination from Knight misses.
A nice combination there by Knight.
Knight looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eric Martinsson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eric Martinsson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Martinsson drives through and clinches with Knight against the cage.
Martinsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knight wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Martinsson working Knight over with knees to the body.
Martinsson is trying to maintain a safe position but Knight gets an underhook and turns Martinsson into the cage.
Knight dodges an elbow strike from Martinsson.

Knight breaks the clinch.
Martinsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Knight fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Martinsson throws a right and a left that Knight avoids nicely.
Martinsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Eric Martinsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Martinsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Knight.
Knight is breathing heavily.
Knight looks to land a combination. Martinsson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinsson misses with a takedown attempt - Knight sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Martinsson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Knight.
Knight falls off balance throwing a combination
and Martinsson counters with a left and a right that stings Knight.
Good shot there by Knight.
Knight misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Knight throws a right hand that Martinsson ducks under and follows up with a left that Martinsson also avoids with ease.
Knight throws a left and a right that both miss
and Martinsson counters with a right hand to the body.
Martinsson moves in looking to clinch but Knight pushes him off.
Knight misses with a few strikes there.
Knight shoots in for a takedown but Martinsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martinsson drives through and clinches with Knight against the cage.

Martinsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knight misses with a series of wild punches.
Knight tries for a takedown but Martinsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Martinsson tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Martinsson is defended easily by Knight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Martinsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A combination from Knight does no damage.
Knight throws a right hand that Martinsson ducks under and follows up with a left that Martinsson also avoids with ease.
Knight has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
That kick from Martinsson tenderised Knight's leg. Knight is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight's jab looks to have found its range, popping Martinsson under the eye.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Martinsson, right into the meat.

Martinsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Knight, pushing him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Martinsson lands a good knee to the midsection. Knight won't want to take too many of those.
Martinsson connects with a knee to the head.
Knight working hard to break the clinch.
Martinsson prevents Knight from breaking the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Martinsson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Knight wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Martinsson has him pressed against the cage.
Knight is trying to break the clinch but Martinsson is controlling him.
Knight tries to work over Martinsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight lands a nice knee to the body.
Martinsson keeps control of Knight as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Martinsson trying to control the position but instead, Knight has worked for underhooks and has pushed Martinsson into the cage.

Knight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Knight.
Martinsson misses with a head kick.
Martinsson shoots in for a double leg but Knight sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A solid leg kick lands there for Knight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight tries to score with a low kick but Martinsson moves his leg out of the way.
Knight misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Knight will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Eric Martinsson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Martinsson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Knight throws a left and a right that both miss
and Martinsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Martinsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Martinsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Knight shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Martinsson eats them both and turns towards Knight to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Martinsson fails to land the takedown.
Martinsson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Knight has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Knight feints a jab promting Martinsson to slip. Knight then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Martinsson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knight is looking to land body kicks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Martinsson dodges the punch combination from Knight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Martinsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight throws a series of punches but Martinsson moves out of range.
Knight swats away the attempt to clinch by Martinsson.
Knight throws a left and a right that both miss
and Martinsson counters with a big head kick but Knight shrugs it off.
Knight fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Martinsson is out of range.
Knight misses with a few strikes there.
Knight takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Knight will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Martinsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Martinsson avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinsson shoots in but no luck this time.
Knight looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Martinsson fails with the takedown.
Martinsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Knight but Knight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Knight misses with a low kick as Martinsson jumps back.
Knight tries to land a front kick but Martinsson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Knight swinging wildly here.
Martinsson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Knight back to the cage. Martinsson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knight misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martinsson takes the fight into the clinch.
Knight is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Knight wants to break the clinch but can't.
Martinsson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Martinsson scores with a hook to the body.
Martinsson has Knight pressed against the cage, preventing Knight from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Knight wants to get back to striking at distance but Martinsson won't allow it.
Knight blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knight is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight is trying to break free.
Knight looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Knight managing to block the knees to the body from Martinsson.
Knight wants to break the clinch but can't.
Knight tries to break the clinch but Martinsson is controlling the position.
Knight looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knight misses with a leg kick.
Martinsson shoots in and drives through. Knight sprawls well.
A solid body kick from Martinsson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knight rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Martinsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Knight stuffs the takedown.
Knight throws a left and a right that both miss
and Martinsson counters with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Knight.
I think Knight has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Eric Martinsson!
After winning the bout, Eric Martinsson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.