PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mage Knight (ranked 5405 p4p, 6553 weight class) and Deon Carruthers (ranked 605 p4p, 683 weight class). Mage Knight could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Deon Carruthers's chin.

Knight
vs
Carruthers

180 cm
18
171
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
179
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mage Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Deon Carruthers!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carruthers throws a jab but it's blocked by Knight.
Carruthers has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Carruthers tries to move into range but Knight moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Knight connects with a jab.
Carruthers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Carruthers takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Knight moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Knight manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Carruthers on his heels. He'll look to pass Carruthers's guard now, I'm sure.
Knight trying to control but Carruthers is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Carruthers is on top in guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carruthers trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knight controls Carruthers momentarily but Carruthers frees himself.

Knight working for a triangle but Carruthers defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carruthers looking to pass the guard.
Carruthers wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Carruthers is looking to advance position but Knight has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Knight looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Knight looking to control but Carruthers is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Knight avoids the attempt from Carruthers to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carruthers tries to reverse the position but Knight maintains control.

Knight goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Carruthers turns into him and now he's in Knight's guard.
Carruthers wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

Knight had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Carruthers defends it easily.
Knight wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Carruthers from controlling successfully.
Carruthers throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carruthers trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Knight is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Knight looking for a guillotine here but Carruthers defends easily.

Carruthers thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Carruthers passes into half guard.

That's four 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.

Knight is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carruthers pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Carruthers is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Knight looking for a kimura from the bottom but Carruthers passes into side control!

Carruthers goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Knight rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Carruthers's guard! Nice work there by Knight!

Carruthers looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Knight passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carruthers tries to roll over but Knight keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mage Knight dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Carruthers needs to keep his hands up - Knight had a free shot at his head there.
Carruthers ducks under a wild hook from Knight.
Knight lands a right hook to the body.
Carruthers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knight uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Carruthers has time to react.
Carruthers avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Carruthers with the counter takedown but Knight avoids it easily.
Knight slips a straight right by Carruthers.
Carruthers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knight digs a good body shot into Carruthers's ribs.
Mage Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight lunges at Carruthers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Carruthers's hand.
Knight changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Carruthers fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knight avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight jabs Carruthers to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Knight jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Carruthers drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knight defends it well.
Carruthers throws a body punch but Knight moves out of range.
Knight lands with a right hand.
Knight misses with a hook to the body

and Carruthers counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Knight is looking for a triangle but Carruthers pushes his legs off easily.

Knight looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Knight is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Carruthers is aware though and is defending well.

Knight is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Carruthers defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carruthers wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight 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.
Carruthers trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Carruthers controls from within his opponent's guard.

Knight had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Carruthers defends it easily.
Knight keeping full guard, as Carruthers tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carruthers is still trying to improve position.
Carruthers trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Carruthers throwing strikes from guard but Knight blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Knight throws an overhand right that lands on Carruthers's shoulder, as Carruthers tries to avoid the shot.
Carruthers changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Knight throws a jab when Carruthers was well out of range.
Knight scores with a hook to the body. Carruthers takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice uppercut there from Knight.
Knight lands an overhand right.
Knight misses with a wild body shot.
Carruthers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Carruthers misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carruthers keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knight.
Nice body punch from Knight.
Knight throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Carruthers drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knight defends it well.
Mage Knight is winning the standup battle so far.
Carruthers doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Carruthers misses with a wild body shot.
Knight is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Carruthers.
Knight slips a jab from Carruthers.
Carruthers takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Carruthers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Carruthers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Carruthers moves forwards but Knight connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Knight swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A big left from Carruthers misses.
Knight tries to clinch there but Carruthers circles away.
Carruthers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Knight waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Carruthers.
Carruthers with the counter takedown but Knight avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mage Knight dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Carruthers slips under a jab.
Knight swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knight cracks a nice hook into Carruthers's ribs.

Carruthers gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Knight to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Carruthers keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.
Knight has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Carruthers 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.
Knight wants to control from the top but Carruthers keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carruthers controls Knight momentarily but Knight frees himself.
Carruthers keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carruthers wants to sweep but no luck.
Knight trying to control but Carruthers is working from the bottom.
Carruthers trying to keep a closed guard but Knight is proving a slippery customer.
Carruthers keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.

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

Knight drives through with a takedown into Carruthers's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Carruthers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Carruthers has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Knight can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight postures up in Carruthers's guard and throws a big left but Carruthers blocks it.
Knight trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Knight is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Carruthers can do to turn this around?
Carruthers is controlling Knight's posture.

Carruthers is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Knight defends well.
Carruthers keeping moving, preventing Knight from controlling successfully.
Knight stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Carruthers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Carruthers keeping moving, preventing Knight from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight is pushing down on Carruthers's leg trying to pass to half guard. Carruthers is fighting to maintain full guard but Knight has managed to sneak the leg through.
Deon Carruthers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carruthers tries to get to full guard but Knight has control of the leg.

Knight is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Carruthers defends it well.
Carruthers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Carruthers.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Carruthers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Carruthers working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Knight doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Knight manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Carruthers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Carruthers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mage Knight overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carruthers keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Knight is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mage Knight is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knight working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mage 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mage Knight!