PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Piston Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shovel 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.

Horiguchi
vs
Knight

165 cm
28
139 lbs
10 - 4 - 2

170 cm
23
144 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 2, fighting out of New York, Piston Horiguchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shovel Knight!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Horiguchi. Knight does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knight throws the kick towards the body but Horiguchi avoids it.
A combination from Horiguchi does no damage.
Knight misses with a body shot.
Horiguchi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Horiguchi misses with a left hand
and Knight counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Horiguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Knight counters with a nice uppercut.
Horiguchi misses with a straight right.
Piston Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horiguchi throws a hook but Knight avoids it easily.
Knight is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Horiguchi connects with a jab.
Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Knight ducks down to avoid it.
Knight looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Knight tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Knight ducks down to avoid it.
Horiguchi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horiguchi scores with a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horiguchi misses with a body shot.
Horiguchi misses the body punch
and Knight counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Knight lands a right hook to the body.
Horiguchi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Knight's head.
Knight lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Horiguchi at a distance.
Knight lands with a shot to the body.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knight manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi checks a low kick from Knight.
Knight uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Horiguchi.
A chopping leg kick lands by Knight.
Knight throws a wild body kick that Horiguchi sees coming a mile off.
Knight swings for the body but Horiguchi moves out of range.
A shot to the body from Knight misses
and Horiguchi counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight fails with an attempt to clinch.
Knight is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Horiguchi rather than just go for the knockout.
Horiguchi avoids the body shot from Knight.
Horiguchi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice side step and Knight releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a front kick aimed at Knight's knee but Knight avoids it well.
Horiguchi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Horiguchi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Horiguchi missing with a left hand there. Knight was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knight appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Knight moves out of range as Horiguchi strikes.
Knight is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Horiguchi with a body shot.
Horiguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Knight.
Knight showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Knight throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick.
Knight explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nice body punch from Knight.
Knight cracks Horiguchi with a good jab.
Knight checks a leg kick.
It seemed like Knight was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Knight thuds his right hand into Horiguchi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Horiguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Knight! But no joy.
Knight tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Horiguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Knight.
Horiguchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Knight lands a nice shot that snaps Horiguchi's head back.
Knight scores with a body shot.
Knight thows a body kick. Horiguchi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Knight uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Knight moves out of range.
Knight appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Knight is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Horiguchi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Knight goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Knight instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi managing to block the knees to the body from Knight.
Knight landing knees to the head.
Knight cracks Horiguchi with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight blocks an uppercut.

Knight pulls guard effortlessly.

Knight working for a triangle but Horiguchi defends it easily.
Horiguchi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Knight is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Horiguchi frees his head nicely. Oh but Knight has switched to an armbar! Horiguchi is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Shovel Knight! Shovel Knight retains his bantamweight title!
A relieved looking Shovel Knight thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.