PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Evan Knuckle (ranked 4512 p4p, 5031 weight class) and Ivan Clinchevsky (ranked 480 p4p, 502 weight class). Clinchevsky has chosen Primer 55 - Loose as his entrance music. Ivan Clinchevsky is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Knuckle
vs
Clinchevsky

175 cm
22
165
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
158
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BRAZEN - Fight Gear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evan Knuckle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Clinchevsky!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knuckle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Clinchevsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Knuckle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Clinchevsky unleashes a big counter combination but Knuckle bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Knuckle misses with a series of wild punches.
Knuckle wants to clinch.
Clinchevsky drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Knuckle defends it well.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clinchevsky throws a head kick but Knuckle moves out of range.
Clinchevsky shoots for a takedown but Knuckle saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knuckle shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Clinchevsky as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clinchevsky scores with a hook.

Knuckle clinches up against the cage.
Knuckle tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Clinchevsky avoids it.
Clinchevsky prevents a takedown attempt there.
Knuckle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Clinchevsky is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clinchevsky is trying to break the clinch but Knuckle has him pressed against the cage.
Clinchevsky is trying to pull guard but Knuckle has him pressed against the cage.
Clinchevsky tries to stall but Knuckle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Knuckle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Clinchevsky defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Knuckle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Knuckle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clinchevsky tries to clinch up.
Clinchevsky tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Knuckle defends well and Clinchevsky ends up having to push Knuckle into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Clinchevsky throws a shot to the body.
Knuckle has been working on his balance at Cozad Amsterdam, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Knuckle defends well and Clinchevsky ends up having to push Knuckle into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Knuckle misses with a two punch combination.
Clinchevsky moves out of range of the body kick.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clinchevsky lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Knuckle pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Clinchevsky tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Knuckle paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clinchevsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Knuckle tries to sprawl out of it but Clinchevsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knuckle manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clinchevsky showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Knuckle.
Knuckle throws a head kick but Clinchevsky moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knuckle throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Clinchevsky's head.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses
and Clinchevsky counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Knuckle is breathing heavily.
Knuckle throws a head kick but Clinchevsky moves out of range.
Knuckle stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knuckle wants it to stay on the feet.
Knuckle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Clinchevsky sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Knuckle somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clinchevsky tries to clinch but Knuckle moves out of range.
Knuckle tries a head kick but it misses.
Knuckle throws a head kick but Clinchevsky moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Clinchevsky. Those never looked like landing.
As Clinchevsky looks to move away, Knuckle throws a big counter combo but Clinchevsky just gets out of the way.

Knuckle tries to keep at a distance but Clinchevsky has taken the fight into the clinch.
Knuckle jumps guard but Clinchevsky turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Knuckle is trying to drag Clinchevsky to the mat but Clinchevsky just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Clinchevsky tries to throw a body punch but Knuckle avoids it by throwing Clinchevsky back against the cage.
Clinchevsky fails to pull guard.
Knuckle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Clinchevsky pulls his leg out and moves away.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses.
Clinchevsky with the counter takedown but Knuckle avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clinchevsky drives through and clinches with Knuckle against the cage.
Knuckle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Clinchevsky using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Knuckle has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Knuckle lands a good knee to the midsection. Clinchevsky won't want to take too many of those.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knuckle.
Clinchevsky has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Knuckle tries to land knees in the clinch but Clinchevsky avoids the damage to the body.
Clinchevsky blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Clinchevsky has had enough of the clinch but Knuckle keeps him there for the moment.
Clinchevsky avoiding damage as Knuckle throws knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky leaning his opponent against the cage.
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!
Knuckle can't find room to land a body shot as Clinchevsky controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Knuckle dominated that round.
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.

Knuckle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Clinchevsky has closed the distance and engaged Knuckle in a clinch.
Knuckle tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knuckle avoids the elbow strike from Clinchevsky, against the cage.
Clinchevsky stalling in the clinch but Knuckle improves position.
Clinchevsky blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knuckle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Knuckle drops down looking for an ankle pick but Clinchevsky pulls his leg out and moves away.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clinchevsky is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Knuckle fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Clinchevsky is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Knuckle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clinchevsky looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knuckle is fending him off so far but Clinchevsky persists. Nope, Knuckle circles away and we're back to standing.
Knuckle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Clinchevsky shoots in for a takedown but Knuckle shows good takedown defense.
Clinchevsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Knuckle tries to sprawl out of it but Clinchevsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knuckle manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckle tries to land a front kick but Clinchevsky steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Knuckle throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Evan Knuckle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clinchevsky shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knuckle pinned against the cage. Knuckle gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knuckle tries to bum rush Clinchevsky with a series of wild strikes but Clinchevsky uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Knuckle. No joy for Clinchevsky on that attempt.
Knuckle misses with a takedown attempt - Clinchevsky sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Knuckle moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky is trying to pull guard but Knuckle has him pressed against the cage.
Clinchevsky has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Knuckle seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Clinchevsky can turn it around.
Evan Knuckle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Clinchevsky has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Knuckle breaks the clinch.
Evan Knuckle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clinchevsky defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Knuckle.
Clinchevsky fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knuckle avoids it really well and circles away.
Knuckle lands a head kick. Clinchevsky smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Clinchevsky blocks a head kick by Knuckle.
Clinchevsky fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knuckle avoids it really well and circles away.
Knuckle appears to be looking for a big counter.
Knuckle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Clinchevsky can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Knuckle.
Clinchevsky unleashes a big counter combination but Knuckle bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Knuckle fails in his attempt to clinch.
Clinchevsky slips a jab and a cross from Knuckle.
Clinchevsky wants to counter with a clinch but Knuckle pushes him away.
Clinchevsky shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Knuckle as he jumps to the side.

Knuckle instigates a clinch.

Knuckle pulls Clinchevsky into guard.
Knuckle is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clinchevsky trying to control but Knuckle is working from the bottom.
Clinchevsky preventing the sweep.
Knuckle trying to control the position here.

Knuckle scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Knuckle 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!

Knuckle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Knuckle has managed to clinch.
Knuckle avoids a wild elbow strike from Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Clinchevsky lands a nice uppercut.
Clinchevsky can't get the takedown.
Clinchevsky is trying to maintain a safe position but Knuckle gets an underhook and turns Clinchevsky into the cage.
Clinchevsky misses with a punch to the body.

Clinchevsky ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Clinchevsky no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Knuckle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clinchevsky swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Knuckle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Knuckle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clinchevsky has control of Knuckle's left arm, preventing Knuckle from doing any damage.

Clinchevsky escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Knuckle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Clinchevsky takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Knuckle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knuckle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clinchevsky swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Clinchevsky preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Clinchevsky avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Clinchevsky preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Knuckle trying to control the position from guard on top but Clinchevsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knuckle won't allow Clinchevsky to sweep him here.
Knuckle is in close to Clinchevsky's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two 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.
Clinchevsky pulls Knuckle in close to his closed guard and prevents Knuckle from doing any damage or advancing position.
Knuckle throwing strikes from guard but Clinchevsky blocks nicely.
Clinchevsky looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Clinchevsky is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Knuckle moves into the clinch.
Knuckle tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Knuckle.

Knuckle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Clinchevsky blocks a head kick by Knuckle.
Jab from Knuckle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle throws a head kick but Clinchevsky moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky avoids the head kick by Knuckle.
Knuckle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knuckle throws a head kick but Clinchevsky moves out of range.
Knuckle blocks a head kick by Clinchevsky.
Knuckle tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice takedown defense from Knuckle. No joy for Clinchevsky on that attempt.
Evan Knuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Clinchevsky.
Knuckle fails to land the takedown.
Knuckle goes for a double leg but Clinchevsky avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Clinchevsky continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle fails to pull guard.
Come on Clinchevsky - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Clinchevsky tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Clinchevsky managing to block the knees to the body from Knuckle.
Knuckle managing to block the knees to the body from Clinchevsky.
Clinchevsky on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knuckle landing knees to the body.
Knuckle stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Knuckle jumps guard but Clinchevsky stands there with Knuckle around his waist. Knuckle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Clinchevsky struggles to land a body shot inside as Knuckle controls his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clinchevsky tries to work over Knuckle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Knuckle using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Knuckle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivan Clinchevsky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evan Knuckle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knuckle throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Knuckle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knuckle 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Knuckle!
After the big win, Evan Knuckle made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors BRAZEN - Fight Gear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.