PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Holloway (ranked 2293 p4p, 2992 weight class) and Jimmy Knapp (ranked 298 p4p, 373 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jimmy Knapp was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Holloway
vs
Knapp

174 cm
28
165
11 - 3 - 0

178 cm
28
158
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
FUClothing

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Holloway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy Knapp!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Skip Squint and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holloway blocks a head kick by Knapp.
Knapp misses with a body kick.
Knapp lands with a straight right. Holloway didn't see that one coming.
Holloway finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holloway throws a front kick aimed at Knapp's knee but Knapp avoids it well.

Holloway closes the distance and pushes Knapp back into the cage.
Holloway scores with a shot to the side of Knapp's head.
Knapp tries to circle away but Holloway has him pinned against the cage.
Holloway lands a nice uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holloway.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Knapp's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Holloway blocking some punches.
Holloway lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Holloway on the inside.
Holloway blocks a body shot from Knapp.
Holloway lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Knapp backwards.
Knapp misses with a body punch.
Knapp wants to get back to striking at distance but Holloway won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Knapp backwards.

Knapp breaks from the clinch.
Knapp 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.
Holloway moves away from the strike by Knapp.
Max Holloway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knapp slips under a jab from Holloway.
A swing and a miss from Knapp.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holloway digs a good hook to Knapp's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knapp. Holloway does a little dance to reset his feet.
A cross from Holloway lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Knapp misses the target.
Holloway dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Knapp. That did some damage!
Holloway throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Holloway takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Knapp scores with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holloway tests Knapp's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Knapp keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Knapp.
A little feinted left hand from Holloway on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Holloway finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holloway has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Knapp.
Nice defenses there by Holloway.
Knapp looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knapp fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holloway manages to avoid it.
Holloway appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Holloway with a hook.
Holloway thumps Knapp with a low kick.
Knapp throws a head kick but Holloway moves out of range.
Holloway keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knapp.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Holloway.
Knapp misses with some punches.

Holloway pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holloway throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Holloway works the jab nicely.

It looks like Jimmy Knapp has been cut.
Knapp dips to his left and cracks Holloway with an uppercut!
Holloway slips under a jab from Knapp.
An attempted straight right counter from Holloway misses the target.
Holloway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Holloway gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice body punch from Holloway.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knapp.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knapp tries a body shot but Holloway blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knapp.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Knapp wants to break the clinch but can't.
A right hand to the body from Holloway.
Holloway content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knapp is stalling here.
Holloway pushes Knapp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Holloway digs a right hand into Knapp's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Knapp's gas tank.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holloway.
Knapp doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knapp looking to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Knapp creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
I was talking to Holloway's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway digs a right hand underneath Knapp's ribcage. Knapp let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Holloway tries a body shot but Knapp blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knapp.
Holloway presses Knapp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knapp prevents a body shot from Holloway.
Holloway blocking some punches.
Knapp wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short body shot lands from Holloway as the two fighters clinch.
Knapp misses with some punches.
Holloway has Knapp pressed against the cage, preventing Knapp from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Holloway lands with a left to the head.
Knapp swings away with an uppercut that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knapp misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holloway blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Holloway.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Knapp'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.

Holloway swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holloway throws a body punch but Knapp moves out of range.
Knapp throws a hook but Holloway blocks it.

Knapp gets tackled into the cage by Holloway. Holloway maintains the clinch.
Knapp's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Knapp looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A right hook to the body lands for Holloway.
Holloway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knapp can do to turn this around?
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Holloway lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Holloway lands a body punch.
Knapp tries to stall but Holloway uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Holloway pushes Knapp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Knapp has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
Max Holloway has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Knapp tries to break free but Holloway pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Knapp avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holloway works on Knapp's body with a couple of short punches.
Knapp throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holloway lands a body punch in the clinch.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Knapp or not.
Holloway blocks an uppercut.
Holloway is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Holloway struggles to land a body shot inside as Knapp controls his hands.
Knapp misses with the head strike.
Holloway blocks a body shot from Knapp.
Knapp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Holloway lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Knapp misses with a punch to the body.
Holloway keeps control of Knapp as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Knapp is trying to break the clinch but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Knapp.
Knapp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Holloway struggles to land a body shot inside as Knapp controls his hands.
Holloway lands a left hand.
A body shot lands from Holloway.
Knapp has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
Knapp tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holloway avoids it.
Knapp missing with knees to the body.
Knapp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holloway.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holloway lands with a right to the head.
Knapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knapp misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Knapp or not.
Knapp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Knapp or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knapp wants to get back to striking at distance but Holloway won't allow it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Holloway presses Knapp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knapp has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Knapp is trying to break the clinch but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holloway.
Knapp working aggressively here.
Holloway blocking some punches.
Knapp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Knapp missing with knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Holloway.
Holloway pushes Knapp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Holloway lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Knapp backwards.
Holloway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Knapp backwards.
Knapp misses with a hook from the clinch.

Holloway breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway swings for the body but Knapp moves out of range.
Holloway takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Knapp's corner calls for a 1-2. Knapp obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Holloway goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
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!
Knapp ducks under a wild hook from Holloway.
A little jabbing left from Knapp on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Knapp swings widly with a right hand
and Holloway counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holloway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knapp moves away.
Knapp throws a big counter head kick but Holloway avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Holloway misses.
Knapp thows a body kick. Holloway tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Knapp throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Knapp explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A slow jab from Knapp misses its intended target.
Knapp misses with an uppercut.
Holloway avoids the body shot from Knapp.
Holloway throws a left and a right that both miss
and Knapp counters with a nice low kick that buckles Holloway's knee momentarily.
Holloway lands a slapping body shot.
Knapp looks for the body kick but Holloway saw that one coming.
Holloway was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Knapp scores with a jab.
Holloway attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Holloway uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knapp.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Knapp's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Knapp misses with an attempted mid kick.

Holloway has managed to clinch.
Holloway lands a right hand that snaps the head of Knapp backwards.
Knapp swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holloway lands a nice uppercut.
Knapp misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holloway.
Knapp is trying to break the clinch but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Holloway throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Knapp is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Holloway lands a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knapp can't break the clinch.
Knapp throws a head punch that misses.

Holloway manages to break the clinch.
Holloway drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Holloway swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Knapp.
Jimmy Knapp seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Holloway clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knapp is trying to maintain a safe position but Holloway gets an underhook and turns Knapp into the cage.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holloway works on Knapp's body with a couple of short punches.
A body shot lands from Holloway.
Holloway pushes Knapp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Holloway on the inside.
Knapp blocks a body shot from Holloway.
Knapp wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Knapp misses with some punches.
Come on Knapp - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A bit of stalling here from Holloway.
Knapp has had enough of the clinch but Holloway keeps him there for the moment.
Holloway blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knapp's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hook to the body lands for Holloway.
Knapp misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knapp tries to break the clinch but Holloway is controlling the position.
Good body shot from Holloway.
Holloway blocks an uppercut.
Holloway digs a right hand into Knapp's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Knapp's gas tank.
Knapp misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Knapp fails to land.
Knapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knapp wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Holloway is working Knapp over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knapp misses with the head strike.
Knapp takes a shot to the head.
Holloway lands with a left to the head.
Holloway lands a body punch.
Knapp takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway is looking for a takedown.

Holloway manages to break the clinch.
Holloway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holloway buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Holloway just misses with a punch to the body.
Holloway looks to throw the jab but Knapp is out of range.
Holloway misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knapp.
Max Holloway is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knapp throws a hook but Holloway avoids it easily.
Knapp throws a body shot but no joy.
Holloway throws a quick counter kick to the body but Knapp avoids it.
Holloway takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Knapp takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Knapp misses with a kick to the body.
Knapp takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holloway scores with a punch to the head.
Knapp takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Holloway darts in and clinches Knapp up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knapp is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holloway is defending well for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holloway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knapp is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Knapp has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
Holloway scores with a shot to the side of Knapp's head.
Knapp misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Holloway.
Knapp trying to land knees to the body.
Holloway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knapp looking to stall.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Holloway.
Jimmy Knapp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knapp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Holloway showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Holloway 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Holloway!
Max Holloway took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, FUClothing for their support in the buildup to the fight.