PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Knope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kryptonite. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Velasquez
vs
Knope

185 cm
33
260 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

198 cm
28
250 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Knope!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Damien Edna and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velasquez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Knope tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Velasquez is in Knope's guard.
Knope is wriggling around but Velasquez manages to pass to half guard.

Knope trying to control but Velasquez postures up.
Knope wants to improve his position but Velasquez is controlling well.
Velasquez wants to pass to mount but Knope is defending the position.
Velasquez looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knope trying to hold on to Velasquez's head to control him but Velasquez postures up.
Knope tries to get to full guard but Velasquez has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knope is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Velasquez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Velasquez's back!
You can see the frustration on Velasquez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Knope misses with an elbow to the head.
Velasquez trying to control but not successfully.
Velasquez is trying to get back to his feet but Knope has full control of the position and if anything, Velasquez has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Knope is working the ground and pound. Can Velasquez escape?
Knope lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Knope.
Velasquez tries to roll but Knope sticks to his back.
Knope wants to control but Velasquez is keeping busy.
Velasquez rolls, trying to escape but Knope keeps control of the position.
Knope throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Knope is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knope working for the choke.
Velasquez is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Velasquez is working hard here to advance position.
Knope punches the canvas rather than the man.
Velasquez grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Even with his hooks in, Knope manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Velasquez is taking damage to the body and head.
Velasquez prevents Knope from getting a body triangle.
Knope throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Knope landing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez prevents Knope from getting a body triangle.
Velasquez trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Velasquez can't escape the position.
Knope struggling to land strikes to the head as Velasquez covers up.
Velasquez is in bad spot here.
Knope lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

Knope working for a choke but Velasquez is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Knope working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Velasquez rolls, trying to escape but Knope keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez covers up after that shot from Knope.
Knope doesn't have the hooks in and Velasquez manages to turn into his guard.
Velasquez scoring with some ground and pound.
Velasquez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Knope utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Velasquez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knope works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Velasquez is pushing down on Knope's leg trying to pass to half guard. Knope is fighting to maintain full guard but Velasquez has managed to sneak the leg through.
Velasquez looks to land a strike but Knope avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Velasquez scoring with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velasquez preventing the sweep.
Knope keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
Velasquez throws a strike but Knope rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Knope dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Knope finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Velasquez lands with a straight right. Knope didn't see that one coming.
Knope leaves Velasquez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Knope darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Knope trying to pass the guard but Velasquez defending well.

Velasquez looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Velasquez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Knope lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knope takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Knope wants to lay and pray for a moment but Velasquez keeps working.
Velasquez trying to hold on to Knope's head to control him but Knope postures up.
Knope stalling.
Knope prevents Velasquez from improving his position.
Knope lands strikes from half guard.
Knope working the head and body with strikes.
Knope is trying to control. Velasquez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Knope has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Velasquez taking some punishment here, with Knope in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez actively working from the bottom here.
Knope lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Knope is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Knope seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Knope is looking to advance position but Velasquez won't allow it.
Velasquez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Knope.

Velasquez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Knope throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Knope.
Velasquez looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Knope is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ben Knope has got the better of the ground game so far.
Knope wants to take a breather but Velasquez is having none of it.
Velasquez is looking to improve his position.
Velasquez gets back to full guard.
Velasquez trying to control the position.
Velasquez keeping moving, preventing Knope from controlling successfully.
Knope pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasquez is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Velasquez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Knope's corner calls for a 1-2. Knope obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Knope scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Knope tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Velasquez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Knope scores with a crisp jab that stopped Velasquez in his tracks.
Velasquez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Knope.

Velasquez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Velasquez working over Knope with some ground and pound. Knope looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Velasquez trying to control from Knope's half guard. Knope has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Knope keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velasquez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knope swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Knope avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Knope showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Velasquez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Velasquez avoids the head kick by Knope.
Velasquez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knope avoids it really well and circles away.
Knope dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Velasquez. That did some damage!
Knope dips to his left and cracks Velasquez with an uppercut!
Velasquez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Knope scores with a head kick.

Knope clinches up with Velasquez and pushes him back against the cage.
Knope lands a nice knee to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knope is trying to drag Velasquez to the mat but Velasquez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knope misses with an elbow strike.
Knope throws an elbow that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Knope as Velasquez tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knope lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Cain Velasquez has been cut.
Knope looking to slow down the pace here.
Velasquez working hard to break the clinch.
Velasquez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Velasquez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Knope gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knope misses with an elbow over the top.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Knope.
Velasquez dodges an elbow strike from Knope.
Knope misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Velasquez.
Velasquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Knope has him pressed against the cage.

Velasquez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Velasquez looks for a takedown but Knope sprawls well.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a takedown. Knope tries to sprawl out of it but Velasquez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knope manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knope lands a nice looking body shot.

Velasquez gets tackled into the cage by Knope. Knope maintains the clinch.
Velasquez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Knope smiles and moves away.
Cain Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knope tries to close the distance and clinch but Velasquez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Knope dives in and scores a takedown into Velasquez's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knope postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Velasquez has his foot on Knope's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Knope works his way back into a safe position though.
Velasquez wants to control the position but Knope says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Velasquez has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Knope escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Knope!
Knope lands a nice forearm strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is working to avoid the ground and pound but Knope connects with a decent elbow.
Knope trying to control the position but Velasquez is working away.
Knope lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Velasquez is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Knope working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Velasquez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Knope working away.
Check out the look on Knope's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Velasquez wants to control but Knope postures up.
Knope cracks Velasquez with a big elbow.
Knope wants to control but Velasquez is keeping him busy.
Velasquez is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Knope asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knope lands some shots froms side control.
Knope creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Knope working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Velasquez regains half guard there - taking advantage of Knope's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Cain Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knope working Velasquez over with strikes.
Ben Knope is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knope wants to stand up but Velasquez is controlling the position.
Velasquez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Velasquez strikes from the bottom but Knope uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Knope scores with a couple of short elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Knope comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Knope has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

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