PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Buck Futter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shovel Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knight has chosen X Gon' Give It To Ya as his entrance music. Shovel Knight is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Futter
vs
Knight

159 cm
26
144 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

170 cm
25
144 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Conviction

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Buck Futter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shovel Knight!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Futter fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
It seemed like Knight was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Futter misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knight.
Knight looks to land a combination but Futter avoids it well.
Futter doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Futter shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Knight but Knight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Futter misses with a takedown attempt
and Knight counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buck Futter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Futter staying out of range there.
Futter shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knight sprawls well. Knight wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Futter gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight tries a head kick but it misses.
Knight ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Knight moves in looking to clinch but Futter pushes him off.

Knight clinches.
Knight works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight taking a breather.

Knight manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Knight keeping full guard, as Futter tries to pass.

Knight throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Knight is wriggling around but Futter manages to pass to half guard.
Futter sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knight defending well though.
Futter is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Futter looking for a submission but Knight manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Futter looking to pass the guard.
Futter postures up.
Futter wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Knight wants to stand but Futter is controlling the position.
Futter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knight is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futter wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Futter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Knight wants to stand but Futter is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Knight defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Futter.
It seemed like Knight was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Knight tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Futter paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Futter wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Knight falls off balance throwing a combination
and Futter connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Futter shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice straight punches there by Knight. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Knight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Knight tenderised Futter's leg. Futter is trying to keep his angry face on.
Knight stuns Futter with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Futter scores with a sloppy right hand. Knight should have avoided that one.
Futter uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Knight.
Futter drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Futter slips a straight right by Knight.
Shovel Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight lands with a straight right. Futter didn't see that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Knight does no damage.

Knight clinches up against the cage.
Knight can't find room to land a body shot as Futter controls the action.
Futter wants a takedown.
Futter blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Knight gets through Futter's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shovel Knight dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Knight misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Futter.
Shovel Knight seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Futter does it's job there.
Futter dives in for a single leg takedown but Knight sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Futter with a lazy takedown attempt
and Knight counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Knight has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A punch lands to the side of Futter 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Futter goes for a double leg but Knight avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Knight continues to drive forward.
As Futter backs off Knight throws a huge counter combo but Futter manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buck Futter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Futter takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Knight misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Knight lands a lovely overhand right.
Futter shoots in and drives through. Knight sprawls well.
Knight looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Knight has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knight punishes Futter's body with a nice straight punch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Futter.
Futter takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Knight has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Knight is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futter shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Knight but Knight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Futter jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Futter. Futter gets slowly back to his feet.
Knight swings for the body but Futter moves out of range.
Futter shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knight pinned against the cage. Knight gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knight wants to counter the offense by Futter and move into the clinch position.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Futter.
Futter misses with a wild body shot.
Knight lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice body punch from Knight.
Shovel Knight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knight lands a leg kick that knocks Futter off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight lands a nice shot that snaps Futter's head back.
Futter takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Buck Futter has been cut.
Futter dives in and grabs Knight's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knight pushes down on Futter's head and hops out.
Knight misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice cross by Knight.
Futter has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Knight.
Knight connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Futter momentarily.
Knight bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Futter's head backwards.
Knight stuffs the takedown.
Knight lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Futter changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Knight tries to avoid it but Futter manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Knight to the ground. Knight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Knight has taken the fight to the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short left from Knight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Knight leaning his opponent against the cage.
Futter has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Knight is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Futter is looking for a takedown.
A short left from Knight.
Knight misses with a short punch on the inside.

Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knight dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Knight lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futter shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Knight counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Futter tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knight sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Futter somewhat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Knight.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
Knight misses with a looping left.
Futter shoots for a takedown but Knight saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Futter closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Knight did well to prevent Futter getting side control.

Knight manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Futter keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight lands with a left to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shovel Knight showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Buck Futter's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Knight clinches up against the cage.
Knight lands a hook that snaps the head of Futter backwards.
Good body shot from Knight.

Knight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Knight gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Knight content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Knight fails to land.
Futter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knight lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Knight.
Knight misses with a short punch on the inside.
Futter has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Knight is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Knight taking a breather.
Shovel Knight seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Knight misses with a punch to the body.
Futter tries for a takedown but Knight manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buck Futter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Futter's elbow.
Knight digs a right hand underneath Futter's ribcage. Futter let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A bit of stalling here from Knight.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knight.
Buck Futter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight misses with a punch on the inside.
Knight tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knight lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Knight misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knight has a couple of punches blocked by Futter.
Knight misses with a hook from the clinch.
Futter blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Knight lands with a short shot to the head.
Knight lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Knight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight lands a left hand that snaps the head of Futter backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Knight.
Knight tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knight throws a punch but it's blocked by Futter.
Knight lands a right hand that snaps the head of Futter backwards.
Knight misses with a body punch.
Shovel Knight is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knight lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Knight misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knight.
Knight tries a body shot but Futter blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Knight managing to block the knees to the body from Futter.
Knight fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Knight lands a hook that snaps the head of Futter backwards.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice left hand lands by Knight.
Futter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Futter misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shovel Knight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Knight 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shovel Knight!
Our winner, Shovel Knight, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.