PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schvrshnakov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Communist Internacional Anthem. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Knight
vs
Schvrshnakov

165 cm
22
151 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aaron Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schvrshnakov shoots for a takedown but Knight saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Schvrshnakov. Schvrshnakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Schvrshnakov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Knight holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Aaron Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov.

Knight jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knight wants to stand and escape but Schvrshnakov is having none of it.
Schvrshnakov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schvrshnakov throws an elbow that misses. Knight uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Schvrshnakov's guard. Nice move by Knight!

Schvrshnakov wants to get back to his feet but Knight is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight lands a couple of digs.
Schvrshnakov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Knight has gone for a leg lock! Schvrshnakov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Knight's guard.

Schvrshnakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schvrshnakov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Schvrshnakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Knight manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Schvrshnakov manages to get himself to full guard.

Schvrshnakov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight throws an elbow that misses. Schvrshnakov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Knight's guard. Nice move by Schvrshnakov!

Knight has his hands on Schvrshnakov's head, controlling the position.
Knight looking for a sweep. Not yet Knight, not yet.
Schvrshnakov scoring with some ground and pound.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Schvrshnakov from controlling successfully.
Schvrshnakov prevents Knight from getting back to his feet.
Schvrshnakov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Schvrshnakov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schvrshnakov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schvrshnakov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Schvrshnakov works over Knight with some ground and pound from guard.
Schvrshnakov with a flurry of punches that miss.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Knight is on top in guard.

Knight trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Knight works over Schvrshnakov with some ground and pound from guard.

Schvrshnakov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Schvrshnakov looks winded!

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

Schvrshnakov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Schvrshnakov.
Schvrshnakov throws an elbow but Knight slips to the side and avoids it well.
Knight is looking for a sweep.
Schvrshnakov working the ground and pound.
Knight managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Schvrshnakov.
Schvrshnakov working the strikes but Knight uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Schvrshnakov looks to land a strike but Knight avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Knight is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aaron Knight will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Schvrshnakov fails with the takedown.
Schvrshnakov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Knight as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Schvrshnakov is defended easily by Knight.
Aaron Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov.
Schvrshnakov fails with a takedown attempt.
Schvrshnakov is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov with a poor takedown
and Knight connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Knight is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schvrshnakov can do to turn this around?

Knight rushes Schvrshnakov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Knight manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Aaron Knight overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Knight is pulling down on Schvrshnakov's head. It's preventing any offense from Schvrshnakov, at least for the moment.
Schvrshnakov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Knight has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Schvrshnakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Knight looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schvrshnakov is one step ahead there.
Schvrshnakov throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Knight working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schvrshnakov.
Knight has his hands on Schvrshnakov's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Schvrshnakov shoots in looking for a takedown. Knight tries to sprawl out of it but Schvrshnakov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knight manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Knight stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knight wants it to stay on the feet.
Schvrshnakov misses with a takedown

and Knight counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Knight stalling the fight.
Schvrshnakov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Knight prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Schvrshnakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Knight counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Schvrshnakov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Knight has closed the distance and engaged Schvrshnakov in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Schvrshnakov fails to land.

Knight pulls guard effortlessly.
Knight pulls Schvrshnakov in close to prevent any damage.
Schvrshnakov throwing strikes from guard but Knight blocks nicely.
Knight has control of Schvrshnakov's left arm, preventing Schvrshnakov from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight wants to sweep but no luck.
Knight controlling the position.
Schvrshnakov wants to pass the guard but Knight is keeping the position.
Schvrshnakov throws an elbow that misses. Knight uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Schvrshnakov's guard. Nice move by Knight!

Schvrshnakov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Knight throws a big elbow that misses.

Knight gets to his feet. Schvrshnakov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Knight dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Schvrshnakov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Schvrshnakov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Knight has his hands clasped together around Schvrshnakov's back. He's all about the action.
Schvrshnakov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Knight keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Knight wants to control but Schvrshnakov is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schvrshnakov thows a huge punch but Knight dodges it nicely.
Schvrshnakov throws a strike but Knight avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Schvrshnakov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schvrshnakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov throws an elbow that misses. Knight uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Schvrshnakov's guard. Nice move by Knight!

Schvrshnakov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Schvrshnakov shoots in for a takedown but Knight shows good takedown defense.
Schvrshnakov tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knight went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Schvrshnakov has his takedown stuffed
and Knight counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aaron Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov.

Knight closes the distance and pushes Schvrshnakov back into the cage.
Knight is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knight throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schvrshnakov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schvrshnakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Knight tries to avoid it but Schvrshnakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Knight to the ground. Knight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Schvrshnakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Knight counters with a left and a right that stings Schvrshnakov.
Schvrshnakov misses with a double jab
and Knight counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Schvrshnakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knight counters with a nice uppercut.
Knight tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Schvrshnakov tries for a takedown but Knight circles away easily
and Knight counters with a series of strikes. Schvrshnakov will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knight wants it to stay on the feet.
Schvrshnakov shoots in but Knight avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Knight throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Schvrshnakov shoots in and drives through. Knight sprawls well.
Knight half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Knight closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schvrshnakov wants to get back to striking at distance but Knight won't allow it.

Knight pulls Schvrshnakov into guard.
Knight is controlling Schvrshnakov's posture.
Knight's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Schvrshnakov throws an elbow that misses. Knight uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Schvrshnakov's guard. Nice move by Knight!

Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Knight decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Schvrshnakov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knight sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Schvrshnakov just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKnight.
Schvrshnakov fails with a takedown attempt.
Schvrshnakov shoots for a takedown but Knight saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knight looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Schvrshnakov walks into a straight right hand from Knight.
Schvrshnakov tries for a takedown but Knight circles away easily
and Schvrshnakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Knight showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knight has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Knight!
Tsvetnov Schvrshnakov was interviewed post fight and said 'I was robbed! This event is full of corruption! Let's fight here and now again! I'm going to finish you!'.