PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Daiju Kikuchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lutz Knitter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kikuchi
vs
Knitter

165 cm
22
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
146 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

[IMMA] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daiju Kikuchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lutz Knitter!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knitter throws the left hand but Kikuchi avoids the punch easily.
Kikuchi throws a lazy right hand but Knitter sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kikuchi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Knitter tries a head kick but it misses.
Kikuchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knitter was well out of range. Poor timing from Kikuchi.
Knitter scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kikuchi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kikuchi tries to work over Knitter's front leg with a kick but Knitter checks it.
Kikuchi misses with an uppercut.
Knitter misses the jab.
Knitter lands with a kick to the temple. Kikuchi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Knitter defending well as Kikuchi loads up on a big left hand.
Knitter tries to land a front kick but Kikuchi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kikuchi throws a head kick but Knitter moves out of range.
A jab lands there for Kikuchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Knitter.
A lazy left from Knitter finds it's target.
Kikuchi moves away from the strike by Knitter.
Kikuchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knitter.
Knitter throws a quick inside leg kick.
Knitter scores with a jab to the body.
Knitter dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kikuchi. That did some damage!
Kikuchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Knitter pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Knitter connects with a body shot.
Knitter swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knitter throws a nice head kick!
Kikuchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Knitter lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi works Knitter's body with a nice hook.
Kikuchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
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!
Knitter throws a solid leg kick but Kikuchi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Knitter.
Knitter throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A low kick from Knitter misses
and Kikuchi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Knitter's knee momentarily.
Kikuchi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Knitter throws a sloppy head kick and Kikuchi moves out of range easily.
Kikuchi misses with a body shot.
Kikuchi lands a jab to Knitter's midsection.
Knitter pushes Kikuchi away with a front kick.
Knitter getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Knitter throws an overhand right that lands on Kikuchi's shoulder, as Kikuchi tries to avoid the shot.
Knitter throws out a loose jab but Kikuchi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knitter throws a lazy uppercut
and Kikuchi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lutz Knitter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kikuchi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kikuchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kikuchi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Knitter misses with a body shot.
Kikuchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Knitter.
Knitter closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Knitter throws a hook but Kikuchi blocks it.

Knitter rushes Kikuchi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Knitter has a couple of punches blocked by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Knitter pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knitter scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Knitter connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knitter throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Knitter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kikuchi.
Knitter throws an off balance right hand
and Kikuchi counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knitter throws a shot from downtown. Kikuchi moves away and avoids it.
Kikuchi throws a jab when Knitter was well out of range.
Knitter is looking to chop away at Kikuchi's legs.
Kikuchi misses with a wild body shot.
Kikuchi misses with a hook.
Knitter misses with a two punch combination.
Knitter rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kikuchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab from Kikuchi misses.
Knitter thows a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knitter. Kikuchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lutz Knitter dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kikuchi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kikuchi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Knitter. That one must have hurt.
Knitter misses with a straight left.
Knitter misses with a straight right.
Knitter looks to score with a jab to the body but Kikuchi is just out of range.
Kikuchi throws a push kick but Knitter slaps the foot to one side.
Knitter throws a lazy uppercut
and Kikuchi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kikuchi swings for the body but Knitter moves out of range.
Knitter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kikuchi.
Knitter fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kikuchi.
Knitter ducks under a wild hook from Kikuchi.
Knitter feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kikuchis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Knitter throws a solid leg kick but Kikuchi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Knitter.
Kikuchi takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knitter throws a hook but Kikuchi blocks it.
Lutz Knitter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Knitter fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kikuchi checks it well.
That kick from Knitter tenderised Kikuchi's leg. Kikuchi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Knitter misses with a few strikes there.
Kikuchi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Knitter throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kikuchi counters with a head kick.
Knitter throws a front kick aimed at Kikuchi's knee but Kikuchi avoids it well.
Kikuchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knitter manages to avoid it.
Knitter lands a head shot.
Kikuchi takes one on the button.
Knitter tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kikuchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Knitter.
Knitter lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Knitter misses.
Kikuchi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kikuchi defending well as Knitter loads up on a big left hand.
Knitter scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Knitter uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kikuchi has time to react.
Kikuchi throws a sloppy head kick and Knitter moves out of range easily.
Kikuchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knitter.
Knitter connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kikuchi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kikuchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knitter scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kikuchi in his tracks.
Kikuchi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kikuchi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Knitter throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kikuchi counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knitter misses with a straight right.
Kikuchi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Knitter lands with a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Knitter.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knitter. Kikuchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knitter throws a looping overhand right but Kikuchi ducks down to avoid it.
Knitter throws a low kick but Kikuchi avoids it.
Kikuchi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Knitter scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kikuchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Knitter with a jab.
Knitter misses with an uppercut. Kikuchi saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knitter connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kikuchi slips a straight right by Knitter.
Knitter lands a nice shot that snaps Kikuchi's head back.
Kikuchi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kikuchi needs to keep his hands up - Knitter had a free shot at his head there.
Knitter cracks Kikuchi with an open hand slap.
Knitter shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
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!
Knitter misses with a body kick.
Kikuchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knitter bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kikuchi's head.
Knitter swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knitter scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lutz Knitter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kikuchi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kikuchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knitter.
Knitter wants to clinch.
Kikuchi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Knitter misses the body punch
and Kikuchi counters with an inside leg kick.
Knitter throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Knitter looks for the body kick but Kikuchi saw that one coming.
Knitter misses with a head kick.
Knitter fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kikuchi manages to avoid it.
Knitter throws a head kick but Kikuchi moves out of range.
Kikuchi with a nice cross.
Knitter throws a jab but it's blocked by Kikuchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knitter is looking to land body kicks.
Donk. Knitter catches Kikuchi right on the button with a cross.
Kikuchi throws a sloppy body shot
and Knitter makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Knitter throws a body punch but Kikuchi moves out of range.
Kikuchi takes a swing at Knitter's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kikuchi. Knitter does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knitter pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kikuchi is out of range and Knitter settles back down.
Kikuchi is looking to wear down Knitter with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kikuchi misses with a head kick.
Knitter misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knitter was well out of range. Poor timing from Kikuchi.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Knitter, as that shot connected.
Nice defenses there by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knitter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kikuchi.

Knitter gets a clinch.
Knitter misses with a hook to the ribs.
Knitter lands with a short shot to the head.
Kikuchi prevents a body shot from Knitter.
Kikuchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kikuchi lands a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Knitter avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
Kikuchi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Knitter blocking some punches.
Kikuchi blocks a body shot from Knitter.
Kikuchi misses with a punch on the inside.
Kikuchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Knitter backwards.
Knitter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knitter takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kikuchi fails to land.
Knitter misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kikuchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuchi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knitter.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi has a couple of punches blocked by Knitter.
Kikuchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Kikuchi.
Knitter lands a shoulder strike.
Knitter misses with a punch on the inside.
Kikuchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kikuchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Knitter's elbow.
Lutz Knitter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Daiju Kikuchi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kikuchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Kikuchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kikuchi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kikuchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Knitter's elbow.
Kikuchi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kikuchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knitter throws a head punch that misses.
Knitter can't break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kikuchi tries a body shot but Knitter blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi misses with a punch on the inside.
Kikuchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Knitter uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kikuchi lands a body punch.
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kikuchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kikuchi misses with a body punch.
Daiju Kikuchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kikuchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kikuchi pushes Knitter back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Knitter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kikuchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kikuchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kikuchi throws a head punch that misses.
Kikuchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kikuchi has a couple of punches blocked by Knitter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daiju Kikuchi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Knitter 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lutz Knitter!
Lutz Knitter gave a mention to Hilo Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).