PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Narahiko Hirata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ellis Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hirata
vs
Knight

182 cm
24
193 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

182 cm
26
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Conquer
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Narahiko Hirata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ellis Knight!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Daniel Bishop and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirata takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Knight has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Knight throws a head kick but Hirata moves out of range.
Hirata pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Knight darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hirata misses with a hook. Knight ducked under it nicely.
Knight lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hirata throws a looping overhand right but Knight ducks down to avoid it.
Hirata scores with a punch to the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Knight as he connects with a hook.

Knight looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hirata!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight working the strikes but Hirata uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Knight thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight wants to pass the guard but Hirata is defending well.
Knight has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Knight throws a strike but Hirata avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Knight trying to control but Hirata is working from the bottom.
Knight throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hirata works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Knight wants to pass the guard but Hirata is keeping the position.
Hirata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Hirata has wrist control.
Hirata keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Knight distracts Hirata with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hirata preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hirata is looking to stand up but Knight isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Knight connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hirata momentarily.
Hirata scores with a nice right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Knight darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Knight wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Knight.
Hirata is breathing heavily.
Knight steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hirata.

Knight clinches up with Hirata and pushes him back against the cage.
Hirata tries to circle away but Knight has him pinned against the cage.
Knight is trying to pull guard but Hirata turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knight lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hirata throws an overhand right that lands on Knight's shoulder, as Knight tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hirata. Knight does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knight lands a really nice looking cross but Hirata seems unphased.
Knight tries to clinch but Hirata is having none of it.
Hirata swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Knight lands with a cross.
Narahiko Hirata is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knight takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hirata moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hirata throws a big counter combination but Knight scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hirata on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knight keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Knight scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Knight lands a big right hand that sends Hirata crashing to the mat! Knight stays standing though and waves Hirata back to his feet!

Hirata is rocked!
Hirata circles to his right, straight into a beautiful hook by Knight. Hirata falls face first into the canvas - great knockout victory for Knight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ellis Knight!
Ellis Knight made sure to mention his sponsor, Voodoo Nutrition in his post fight interview.