PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Newton Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dennis Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson has chosen Aint I as his entrance music. Dennis Thompson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Knuckles
vs
Thompson

177 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Newton Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dennis Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Thompson.
Knuckles misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thompson stuffs the takedown attempt from Knuckles. Knuckles gets slowly back to his feet.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thompson!
Knuckles has a takedown stuffed.

Thompson moves into the clinch successfully.
Thompson landing knees to the body.
Thompson stalls.
Thompson lands a nice shot to the body.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.
Thompson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thompson just leaning against Knuckles, taking a breather.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Knuckles will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Thompson up against the cage.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson stalling in the clinch.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Knuckles's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Thompson.
Knuckles stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thompson.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Knuckles's face.

It looks like Newton Knuckles has been cut.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.

Knuckles pulls guard.
Knuckles will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Thompson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knuckles swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Knuckles working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thompson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thompson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson won't allow Knuckles to sweep him here.

Knuckles is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thompson stands and steps away. Knuckles gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson scores with a head kick.
Knuckles looks for a takedown but Thompson sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Newton Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thompson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thompson is looking to sweep but instead, Knuckles has passed into half guard.

Thompson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Knuckles pulls his head out easily.
Thompson gets full guard.
Thompson keeping full guard, as Knuckles tries to pass.
Thompson managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson 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.
Thompson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Knuckles trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knuckles preventing the sweep.
Knuckles sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Knuckles circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thompson wants to clinch up but Knuckles keeps it at a distance.
Thompson lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Thompson clinches with his opponent.
A left hand lands to the body for Thompson.
Knuckles on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Knuckles breaks from the clinch.
Dennis Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Knuckles clinches with his opponent.

Thompson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Thompson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Knuckles.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but Knuckles defends it.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Knuckles has managed to free his arm - good work.
Knuckles wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knuckles is trying to control but can't.
Thompson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knuckles defending well though.
Thompson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Thompson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Newton Knuckles'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.

Thompson misses with a few strikes there.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.

Knuckles works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Thompson wants to sweep here but Knuckles controlling him for the moment.

Thompson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Knuckles is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Thompson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Knuckles's back instead.
Thompson trying to control.
Thompson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Thompson is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Thompson gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Thompson gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Thompson apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Knuckles on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thompson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Knuckles. That did some damage!
Knuckles shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thompson pinned against the cage. Thompson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson forces Knuckles back against the cage and clinches.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.
Thompson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knuckles trying to stall but Thompson improves his position.
Thompson landing knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Thompson continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Thompson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Knuckles backwards.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thompson tries to clinch but Knuckles is having none of it.
A punch combination from Thompson misses.
Knuckles takes one to the side of the head.
Newton Knuckles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knuckles takes a jab right on the kisser.
Thompson scores with a leg kick.
Thompson throws a leg kick which misses Knuckles's front leg but catches the back leg as Knuckles tries to avoid it.
Thompson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Thompson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Knuckles wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to take a break and control but Knuckles is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Knuckles is trying to control but can't.
Thompson wants to free his trapped foot but Knuckles is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet.

Thompson escapes and gets back to his feet.

Thompson forces Knuckles back against the cage and clinches.
Knuckles throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson tries to score a body lock takedown but Knuckles shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Knuckles looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Knuckles chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thompson can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a nice inside leg kick.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Thompson.
Thompson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thompson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Thompson is leaning against Knuckles and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Thompson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knuckles looking to stall.
Knuckles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thompson avoiding damage as Knuckles throws knees to the body.
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Knuckles breaks from the clinch.
Knuckles closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Newton Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thompson cracks Knuckles with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Thompson. No joy for Knuckles on that attempt.

Thompson instigates a clinch.
Thompson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Come on Thompson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson avoiding damage as Knuckles throws knees to the body.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Knuckles's ribcage.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson has Knuckles pushed against the cage.
Knuckles wants to break free but Thompson has control.
Thompson stalling against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Knuckles tries to score a body lock takedown but Thompson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Knuckles drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thompson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Knuckles takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Knuckles is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Thompson scoring well with a low kick there.

Knuckles takes the fight into the clinch.
Knuckles trying to stall but Thompson improves his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thompson has hold of one of Knuckles's legs. Knuckles is fighting the takedown attempt but Thompson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Thompson stops Knuckles from standing up.
Knuckles trying to keep a closed guard but Thompson is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Newton Knuckles's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Thompson connects with a solid leg kick.
Thompson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
An inside leg kick lands from Thompson.
Knuckles misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Knuckles tries to clinch but Thompson is having none of it.
Knuckles with a poor takedown
and Thompson counters with a stiff right hand.

Thompson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Knuckles looking for a guillotine here but Thompson defends easily.

Thompson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thompson avoids the head kick by Knuckles.

Thompson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thompson is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles looking to control but Thompson passes into half guard.
Knuckles is trying to get back to full guard.
Knuckles trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.
Knuckles is trying to stand up here but Thompson is controlling him well.

Thompson seems to be looking for submissions.
Knuckles is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thompson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thompson's back!
Thompson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Knuckles's guard. Nice work there by Thompson.
Thompson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knuckles is keeping the position for now.

That's two 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.
Knuckles has a closed guard, preventing Thompson from standing up.
Thompson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knuckles is keeping the position for now.
Dennis Thompson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thompson wanted to stand there but Knuckles had control of the position.
Knuckles wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson passes into half guard.
Thompson wants to free his trapped foot but Knuckles is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Good leg kick by Thompson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thompson cracks Knuckles with an open hand slap.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Knuckles wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.
Knuckles wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Knuckles wants to get back to his feet.
Thompson drops an elbow to the side of Knuckles's head.

Thompson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Knuckles to get to his feet.
Knuckles wants to clinch up but Thompson keeps it at a distance.
Thompson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Knuckles momentarily.
Thompson lands a head kick!

Knuckles is rocked!
Thompson lands with a nice combination. Knuckles backs away looking to recover.
Oh Knuckles is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Thompson Rushes Knuckles and starts throwing punches like they are going out of style! Knuckles is up against the cage and has nowhere to go. Thompson Piles on the pressure and Knuckles crumples to the floor! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dennis Thompson!