PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Duke Dukerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashton Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dukerson
vs
Knuckles

165 cm
22
144 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
23
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Duke Dukerson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ashton Knuckles!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dukerson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dukerson working away.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet.
Dukerson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knuckles wants to control but Dukerson is having none of it.
Knuckles tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet.
Knuckles manages to regain half guard. Good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knuckles throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Dukerson seems to be looking for submissions.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet.
Dukerson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles is looking for a sweep. Dukerson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dukerson is pressing down on Knuckles's thigh, looking to free his foot. Knuckles is holding on for now.
Knuckles is looking to control Dukerson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Knuckles avoid being mounted?
Knuckles keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Dukerson wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Dukerson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Knuckles sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Knuckles is looking to control Dukerson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Knuckles avoid being mounted?

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Knuckles displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dukerson throws out the jab.
Knuckles unleashes a big counter combination but Dukerson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Dukerson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Knuckles looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Knuckles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dukerson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Knuckles.
Knuckles missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles drops an elbow to the side of Dukerson's head.
Knuckles is thwarting Dukerson's attempts to control the position.

Knuckles seems to be looking for submissions.

Knuckles is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Dukerson is doing well to control the position and prevent Knuckles from advancing to side control.
Dukerson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Knuckles seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dukerson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dukerson is looking for a sweep. Knuckles is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.
Dukerson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Knuckles scores with a couple of nice shots.
Knuckles wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dukerson keeps working.
Knuckles misses with a head shot. Dukerson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dukerson keeping moving, preventing Knuckles from controlling successfully.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Knuckles working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dukerson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Knuckles has his foot on Dukerson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dukerson works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ashton Knuckles will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Knuckles shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dukerson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Knuckles throws a big elbow that misses.
Dukerson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Knuckles advances position into side control!
Knuckles trying to control the action but Dukerson is working from the bottom.
Knuckles has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knuckles connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Dukerson some visible discomfort.
Dukerson is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Knuckles working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dukerson is looking to regain half guard here but Knuckles keeps moving and retains side control.
Dukerson wants to control but Knuckles postures up.
Dukerson dodges the ground and pound from Knuckles.
Dukerson can't do much from the bottom here.
Knuckles throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Knuckles throws a strike aimed at the side of Dukerson's head but Dukerson avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles in side control lands a decent elbow.
Knuckles is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Dukerson's shoulder. That is not cool.
Knuckles lands a few punches from side control.

Knuckles has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Knuckles shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dukerson is trying to defend but Knuckles finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dukerson is staying active underneath Knuckles, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Knuckles lands with a punch from half guard.
Dukerson wants to get back to full guard.
Dukerson gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Knuckles throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dukerson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Knuckles throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Knuckles lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dukerson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Knuckles looking for submissions off his back.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Knuckles slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Knuckles working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dukerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Knuckles escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dukerson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dukerson tries to free his leg and advance position but Knuckles is retaining full guard.
Knuckles throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Dukerson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dukerson wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knuckles wants to sweep here but Dukerson controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashton Knuckles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Knuckles gets tackled into the cage by Dukerson. Dukerson maintains the clinch.
Dukerson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dukerson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dukerson struggles to land a body shot inside as Knuckles controls his hands.
Dukerson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Dukerson has hold of one of Knuckles's legs. Knuckles is fighting the takedown attempt but Dukerson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Dukerson manages to pass to side control.

Dukerson tries to pass to full mount but Knuckles defends it.
Knuckles has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knuckles wants to get back to full guard.

Dukerson seems to be working for a kimura but Knuckles defends the submission attempt.
Dukerson is thwarting Knuckles's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dukerson is looking to advance position but Knuckles won't allow it.

Dukerson is working for a submission of some sort.
Dukerson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Knuckles regains full guard. Nicely done.
Knuckles working a defensive guard here.
Knuckles is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dukerson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dukerson wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
Knuckles trying to strike off his back.
Dukerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Knuckles has closed the distance and engaged Dukerson in a clinch.
Dukerson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Knuckles is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dukerson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Knuckles pulls guard successfully.
Knuckles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dukerson sitting in guard here, content to control.

Knuckles looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Dukerson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Knuckles working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dukerson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dukerson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Duke Dukerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Knuckles has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dukerson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ashton Knuckles has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dukerson tries to free his leg and advance position but Knuckles is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dukerson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Knuckles not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dukerson preventing the sweep.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dukerson wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
No joy there for Dukerson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Knuckles is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dukerson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Duke Dukerson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashton Knuckles.

Knuckles shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Dukerson's guard.
Dukerson has Knuckles pulled in close to control his posture.
Ashton Knuckles is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Dukerson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Knuckles is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Duke Dukerson.
I think Knuckles has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ashton Knuckles!