PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitiri Ralakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Knuckles has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Knuckles
vs
Ralakov

190 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitiri Ralakov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ralakov misses with a two punch combination.
Ralakov throws a series of punches but Knuckles moves out of range.
Ralakov throws a lazy head kick
and Knuckles counters with a nice kick to the body.
Ralakov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Knuckles counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ralakov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ralakov throws a combination that misses

and Knuckles counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Knuckles.
Knuckles lands a hook that snaps the head of Ralakov backwards.
Knuckles has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ralakov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Knuckles decides to pull guard.

Knuckles has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ralakov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Knuckles escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knuckles tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ralakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Knuckles somewhat.
Knuckles looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ralakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knuckles counters with a three punch combo that has Ralakov backing up. Ralakov nods at Knuckles to acknowledge the strikes.
Ralakov looks to land a combination but Knuckles avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ralakov has closed the distance and engaged Knuckles in a clinch.
Knuckles is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ralakov to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knuckles missing with knees to the body.
Knuckles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Knuckles manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ralakov wanted to stand there but Knuckles had control of the position.
Knuckles will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Ralakov has gone for a leg lock! Knuckles slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ralakov's guard.

Knuckles wants to control from the top but Ralakov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Knuckles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Knuckles trying to control but Ralakov is working from the bottom.
Ralakov is trying to control the position but Knuckles postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov keeping full guard, as Knuckles tries to pass.
Knuckles stands and throws Ralakov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Knuckles working away.
Ralakov prevents Knuckles from improving position.
Ralakov is trying to get back to his feet.
Ralakov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Knuckles presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Knuckles swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Ralakov is now in Knuckles's guard. A big mistake from Knuckles there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles has his hands on Ralakov's head, controlling the position.

Ralakov stands up and waves to Knuckles to follow him.
No joy there for Ralakov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knuckles wants to clinch up but Ralakov keeps it at a distance.
Ralakov closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Johnny Knuckles has been cut.
Ralakov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Knuckles counters by clinching up.

Knuckles ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Knuckles no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Knuckles dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Knuckles's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ralakov shoots in for a takedown but Knuckles shows good takedown defense.
Knuckles lands a jab to the nose.
Knuckles is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ralakov can do to turn this around?
Ralakov thows a leg kick but Knuckles checks it
and Knuckles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ralakov misses with a few strikes there.
Ralakov misses with a head kick.
Ralakov throws a combination that misses
and Knuckles counters with a nice leg kick.

Knuckles has Ralakov up against the cage in a clinch.
Knuckles tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ralakov avoids it.
Knuckles tries for a takedown but Ralakov manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ralakov takes a knee right on the jaw!

Knuckles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ralakov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Knuckles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ralakov is looking to clinch.
Ralakov tries to bum rush Knuckles with a series of wild strikes but Knuckles uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ralakov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Knuckles moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ralakov is breathing heavily.
Knuckles connects with the punch.
Ralakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knuckles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Knuckles pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch combination from Ralakov misses.
Ralakov misses with a wild combination.
Ralakov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Knuckles counters with a head kick.
Knuckles shoots in for a double leg but Ralakov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ralakov misses with a combination
and Knuckles makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ralakov really felt that one!
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knuckles counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Knuckles clinches with his opponent.
Ralakov is trying to pull guard but Knuckles turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Knuckles lands a shot to the body.
Knuckles changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ralakov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ralakov throws a wild body kick that Knuckles sees coming a mile off.
Knuckles shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ralakov defends it nicely.
Ralakov misses with a few strikes there.
A right-left combo lands from Ralakov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov throws a poor cross that misses
and Knuckles counters with a big head kick but Ralakov shrugs it off.
Ralakov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Knuckles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Knuckles looks for a takedown but Ralakov sprawls well.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ralakov - that will leave a mark!
Ralakov misses with the combination.
A combination from Ralakov does no damage.
Dmitiri Ralakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Knuckles as Ralakov shoots in.

Knuckles drives through and clinches with Ralakov against the cage.

Knuckles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ralakov shoots in and drives through. Knuckles sprawls well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Knuckles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles darts in looking for a takedown but Ralakov gets double underhooks and turns Knuckles into the cage.
Ralakov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knuckles jumps guard but Ralakov stands there with Knuckles around his waist. Knuckles gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've been informed that Ralakov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Ralakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ralakov closes the distance and pushes Knuckles back into the cage.
Knuckles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knuckles gets underhooks to prevent Ralakov's takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Knuckles dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Knuckles's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Knuckles shoots in but Ralakov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ralakov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ralakov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Knuckles has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Knuckles works over Ralakov's head and body with a nice combination.
Ralakov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Knuckles counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ralakov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knuckles stalls.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ralakov is trying to break the clinch but Knuckles is controlling him.

Knuckles breaks from the clinch.
Dmitiri Ralakov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ralakov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Knuckles counters with a one-two to the body.
Knuckles slips a jab and a cross from Ralakov.
Ralakov misses with a two punch combination.
Ralakov fails to land with a series of punches.

Knuckles clinches up with Ralakov and pushes him back against the cage.
Knuckles tries to score a body lock takedown but Ralakov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ralakov is trying to break the clinch but Knuckles is controlling him.

Knuckles breaks the clinch.
Ralakov misses with the combination.
Knuckles jabs Ralakov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Knuckles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles throws a head kick that misses.
Ralakov misses with a double jab
and Knuckles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ralakov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ralakov tries to land a body kick
and Knuckles makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ralakov misses with the body kick

and Knuckles counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Knuckles breaks the clinch.
Ralakov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Knuckles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Knuckles shoots in looking for a takedown but Ralakov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Knuckles's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ralakov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ralakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knuckles counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Knuckles scoring well with a low kick there.
A combination from Ralakov does no damage.

Knuckles forces Ralakov back against the cage and clinches.

Knuckles breaks from the clinch.
Ralakov fails with the takedown.

Knuckles has closed the distance and engaged Ralakov in a clinch.

Knuckles ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Knuckles no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ralakov works over Knuckles with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Knuckles looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ralakov advances to half guard.
Knuckles tries to roll over but Ralakov keeps him under control.
Knuckles trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Ralakov manages to pass to mount!
The referee warns Knuckles that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dmitiri Ralakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ralakov looking to finish Knuckles with some ground and pound. This is bad for Knuckles!
Johnny Knuckles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!
A nice elbow there by Ralakov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Knuckles showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knuckles 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Knuckles!