PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Porthos Knox (ranked 963 p4p, 135 weight class) and Malachi Lawrence (ranked 1826 p4p, 238 weight class). Knox kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is One Step Closer | Linkin Park. Malachi Lawrence has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Knox
vs
Lawrence

177 cm
21
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
174 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Porthos Knox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malachi Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Eddie Farnsworth and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Lawrence misses the target.
Lawrence takes a swing at Knox's ribcage but misses.
Lawrence avoids the body shot from Knox.

Knox gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Knox has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Knox lands with a right to the head.
Knox misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lawrence prevents a body shot from Knox.
Knox swings wildly with an uppercut but Lawrence uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knox lands with a left to the head.
Knox scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knox lands an uppercut.

Lawrence pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knox is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lawrence lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed right hand from Lawrence misses the target.
Knox seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands a right hook to the body.
Knox scores with a jab to the head.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lawrence takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Lawrence fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knox manages to avoid it.
Knox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Knox throws a body punch but Lawrence moves out of range.
Knox fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lawrence uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Knox.
Some wild striking there from Lawrence.

Knox clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence jabs at Knox's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knox avoids the body shot from Lawrence.
Knox lands a nice looking body shot.
Knox tries to clinch but Lawrence is having none of it.
Knox is looking to wear down Lawrence with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Knox has a takedown stuffed.
Lawrence changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Knox lands with a shot to the body.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawrence is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Knox.
Lawrence fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knox manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Knox lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lawrence doesn't seem phased though.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lawrence's head.
Knox tries to clinch up.
Nice defenses there by Lawrence.
Knox misses with a body shot.
Knox's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lawrence under the eye.
Lawrence swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knox throws out a loose jab but Lawrence uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lawrence throws out a loose jab but Knox uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lawrence throws a right hand that Knox ducks under and follows up with a left that Knox also avoids with ease.
Some wild striking there from Lawrence.
Knox lands with a straight right. Lawrence didn't see that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Knox at a distance.
Knox scores with a sloppy right hand. Lawrence should have avoided that one.
Knox throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lawrence on the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Knox scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Knox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lawrence feints the counter takedown.
Knox takes a swing at Lawrence's ribcage but misses.
Porthos Knox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knox tries to clinch there but Lawrence circles away.
Nice defenses there by Lawrence.
Lawrence dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Knox wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch lands to the side of Lawrence 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lawrence throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Knox on the side of the head.
Lawrence slips a jab from Knox.
Knox throws an overhand right that lands on Lawrence's shoulder, as Lawrence tries to avoid the shot.
Lawrence with the counter takedown but Knox avoids it easily.
Lawrence shoots in for a double leg but Knox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lawrence uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knox.
Knox lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Malachi Lawrence has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox misses with a body shot.
Knox connects with a crisp jab.
Knox digs a good body shot into Lawrence's ribs.
Lawrence throws a left and a right that both miss

and Knox counters by clinching up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Knox lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lawrence backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Knox scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Knox lands a lovely overhand right.
Danga de danga de dang - Lawrence scores with a four punch combination!
Lawrence drops his hands momentarily and Knox takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Knox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lawrence.
Malachi Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knox jabs Lawrence to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lawrence throws a jab when Knox was well out of range.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Knox moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lawrence walks into a straight right hand from Knox.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawrence looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Knox gets caught flat footed, as Lawrence shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Knox keeping full guard, as Lawrence tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Lawrence from controlling successfully.
Lawrence throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawrence postures up in Knox's guard and throws a big left but Knox blocks it.
Lawrence with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Knox is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knox scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands a really nice looking cross but Lawrence seems unphased.
Knox tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawrence swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lawrence tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Knox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lawrence.
Lawrence walks into a jab.
Lawrence misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
Knox throws a jab when Lawrence was well out of range.
Lawrence's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Knox connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lawrence scrambles back to his feet.
Knox with a hook.
Knox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lawrence drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knox defends it well.
A left lands for Knox.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox takes a swing at Lawrence's ribcage but misses.
Knox cracks Lawrence with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Knox scores with a hook to the body. Lawrence takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knox misses the shot to the body.
Lawrence with the counter takedown but Knox avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Knox. Beautiful body shot.
A lazy left from Knox finds it's target.
Knox takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lawrence shoots in but no luck this time.
Lawrence takes one on the button.
Knox digs a good hook to Lawrence's body.
Lawrence takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Knox is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lawrence can do to turn this around?
Lawrence misses the shot to the body.
Knox connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Knox looks to throw the jab but Lawrence is out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lawrence.
Knox throws a body shot but no joy.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Knox scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Knox tries to clinch but Lawrence is having none of it.
Lawrence drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knox defends it well.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Knox sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knox with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Lawrence.
Knox loads up on a big right hand but Lawrence slips the punch.
Lawrence misses with a right hand
and Lawrence takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lawrence moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox throws the left hand but Lawrence avoids the punch easily.
Knox jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Knox throws out a powerful jab.
Lawrence takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawrence is just out of range.
Knox scores with a jab. Lawrence acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Knox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lawrence.
Knox misses with a wild body shot.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Knox sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knox is looking to counter the offense by Lawrence and move into the clinch.
Porthos Knox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
Knox dips to his left and cracks Lawrence with an uppercut!
Lawrence tests Knox's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.
Lawrence drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knox defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence looks to land a left hand but Knox moved out of range nicely.
Lawrence uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Knox.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.
Knox connects with a looping right hand.
Knox lands a glancing blow to the side of Lawrence's head.
Knox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lawrence uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Knox.
Lawrence drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knox defends it well.
Knox lands a glancing blow to the side of Lawrence's head.
Knox misses with a looping right.
Lawrence tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Porthos Knox is winning the standup battle so far.

Lawrence shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Knox napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox tries to improve position but can't.
Lawrence misses with the ground and pound.

Lawrence is trying to get an arm triangle but Knox is defending well.
Knox manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Knox prevents Lawrence from improving his position.
Knox content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is looking for a sweep. Knox is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lawrence tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Knox has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Lawrence tries to lock up and control but Knox gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Knox scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lawrence on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lawrence throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
Knox thuds his right hand into Lawrence's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lawrence. Knox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knox rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lawrence moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Knox thuds a left hand into Lawrence's body.
Knox changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knox scores with a hook to the body. Lawrence takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawrence is just out of range.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knox lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lawrence at a distance.
Lawrence has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Knox lands with an uppercut that bounces Lawrence off the cage and back into range.
Knox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lawrence swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lawrence changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lawrence throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
Knox slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
A jab from Knox misses.
Knox punishes Lawrence's body with a nice straight punch.
Lawrence takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Lawrence keeps the fight on the outside.
Knox throws a body shot but no joy.
Knox throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Knox.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence takes one to the side of the head.
A big left from Knox misses.
Knox lands with a nice body punch.
Lawrence moves forwards but Knox connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Lawrence lands with a straight right. Knox didn't see that one coming.
Knox works Lawrence's body with a nice hook.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Knox sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knox scores with a jab.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawrence is just out of range.
And Lawrence tries to counter it with a takedown but Knox pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Knox lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lawrence.
Knox lands with a good body shot.
Knox clobbers Lawrence with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Lawrence with a lazy takedown attempt

and Knox counters by clinching up.
Knox scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lawrence is working for takedown but Knox is calmly controlling the position for now.
Porthos Knox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
Lawrence is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Knox lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knox.
Knox lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lawrence backwards.
Knox throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Knox lands a body punch in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Knox.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice right hand lands inside from Knox.
Knox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lawrence is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Knox lands with a right to the head.
Knox lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lawrence or not.
Knox lands a body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Knox.
Knox lands a shot to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Knox.

Knox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Knox circles away easily

and Knox counters by clinching up.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Knox.
Knox scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knox lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lawrence or not.
Knox softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Knox.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox had his way with Malachi Lawrence in that round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Knox cracks Lawrence with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Decent striking displayed by Knox there.
Lawrence dives in and grabs Knox's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knox pushes down on Lawrence's head and hops out.
Knox looks to land a combination but Lawrence avoids it well.
Knox sizes up Lawrence with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Knox stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knox wants it to stay on the feet.
Lawrence dives in and grabs Knox's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knox pushes down on Lawrence's head and hops out.
Porthos Knox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence slips a jab and a cross from Knox.
Knox scores with a punch to the head.
Lawrence throws a jab but it's blocked by Knox.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lawrence moves away.
Lawrence feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Knox.
Knox connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lawrence momentarily.
Lawrence keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lawrence takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Knox throws a hook to the side of Lawrence's head but Lawrence sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lawrence drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knox defends it well.
Knox with a nice cross.
Lawrence slaps away a takedown attempt from Knox, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lawrence throws a shot to the body.
Knox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lawrence manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Knox sprawls well initially but Lawrence persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Knox's head.
Lawrence thows a huge punch but Knox dodges it nicely.
Knox wants to control but Lawrence is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Knox is concentrating on defense, preventing Lawrence from advancing position.

Lawrence seems to be working for a kimura but Knox defends the submission attempt.
Knox is trying to maintain the position but Lawrence is very close to passing his half guard.
Lawrence working the head and body with strikes.
Malachi Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lawrence.
Lawrence drops an elbow to the side of Knox's head.
Knox keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lawrence throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lawrence not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Knox closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lawrence working aggressively here.
Lawrence misses with a punch to the body.

Knox manages to break the clinch.
Porthos Knox is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knox dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Knox keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lawrence.
Knox connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Knox.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.
Knox connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lawrence looks to score with a jab to the body but Knox is just out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Knox.
Knox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knox cracks Lawrence with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lawrence misses the shot to the body.
Lawrence misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
Knox catches Lawrence with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice uppercut lands for Knox. That snapped Lawrence's head back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Porthos Knox showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Knox, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Porthos Knox!
Porthos Knox retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Porthos Knox thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.