PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ender Knightley (ranked 3444 p4p, 4994 weight class) and Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 410 p4p, 510 weight class). Kanaani has chosen Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Knightley
vs
Kanaani

181 cm
22
180
3 - 3 - 0

170 cm
36
170
25 - 24 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Solid chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ender Knightley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 24 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani misses the jab.
Kanaani throws a jab when Knightley was well out of range.
Kanaani swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Knightley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kanaani.

Knightley clinches up against the cage.
Knightley lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Knightley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kanaani connects with a body shot.
Kanaani does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Knightley lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A jab lands there for Kanaani.
Kanaani swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knightley feints and then cracks Kanaani's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kanaani down.
Kanaani connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Knightley is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kanaani loads up on a big right hand but Knightley slips the punch.

Knightley rushes Kanaani and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knightley throws a head punch that misses.
Kanaani blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kanaani misses with a punch to the body.
Knightley lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kanaani tries a body shot but Knightley blocks it.
Knightley throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanaani.
Kanaani stalls.
Knightley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Knightley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.
Knightley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knightley.
A head punch on the inside from Kanaani fails to land.
Knightley misses with the head strike.
Kanaani has Knightley pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knightley lands a body shot.
Kanaani doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knightley lands with a right to the head.
Kanaani is looking to break free of the clinch but Knightley has double underhooks.
Kanaani stalling in the clinch.
Knightley misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hook to the body lands for Knightley.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knightley misses with a body punch.
Knightley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Knightley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kanaani throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Knightley to counter with a crisp jab.
Knightley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kanaani.
Knightley is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Knightley fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Knightley.
Knightley looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kanaani throws a right and a left that Knightley avoids nicely.
Knightley was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Knightley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kanaani.
Kanaani throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Knightley throws a body shot but no joy.
Kanaani throws a right and a left that Knightley avoids nicely.
Knightley was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Knightley lands a jab to the nose.
Kanaani just misses with a punch to the body.
Knightley thuds a left hand into Kanaani's body.
Kanaani slips a jab and a cross from Knightley.
Knightley jabs at Kanaani's body.

Knightley moves into the clinch successfully.
Knightley lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Knightley breaks from the clinch.
Ender Knightley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kanaani jabs Knightley right on the nose. Knightley blinks but takes it well.
Kanaani moves forwards but Knightley connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kanaani throws an overhand right that lands on Knightley's shoulder, as Knightley tries to avoid the shot.
Knightley is looking for a counter combo.

Knightley pushes Kanaani up against the cage in a clinch.
Knightley prevents the takedown attempt.
Knightley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Knightley prevents the takedown attempt.
Kanaani has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Knightley avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ender Knightley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mehdi Kanaani.
Knightley pushes Kanaani back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kanaani looks winded!
A right hook to the body lands for Knightley.
Kanaani blocks an uppercut.
Knightley lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Knightley breaks the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knightley digs a good body shot into Kanaani's ribs.

Knightley has managed to clinch.
Knightley keeps control of Kanaani as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kanaani dives in for a single leg takedown but Knightley sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Knightley.
Knightley scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Mehdi Kanaani has been cut.
Knightley bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kanaani's head.
Kanaani throws a low kick but Knightley moves out of range easily.
Knightley throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kanaani stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kanaani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kanaani.
Kanaani looks to land a left hand but Knightley moved out of range nicely.
Kanaani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Knightley dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kanaani. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Knightley gets a clinch.

Knightley manages to break the clinch.
Kanaani lands with a straight right. Knightley didn't see that one coming.

Knightley closes the distance and pushes Kanaani back into the cage.
Knightley can't find room to land a body shot as Kanaani controls the action.
Knightley misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Knightley creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Knightley lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kanaani misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kanaani is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Knightley lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.
A shot in the inside from Knightley.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kanaani.
Knightley has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kanaani goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Knightley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knightley throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kanaani stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fight stays on the outside here - Knightley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Knightley lands with an uppercut that bounces Kanaani off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knightley has Kanaani up against the cage in a clinch.
Knightley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Kanaani.
Ender Knightley has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Knightley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Kanaani, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knightley connects with a solid leg kick.
Knightley swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knightley bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kanaani throws a low kick but Knightley moves out of range easily.
Knightley wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kanaani takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Knightley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Knightley works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kanaani scores with a crisp jab that stopped Knightley in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley connects with a single shot there.
Knightley throws a body punch but Kanaani moves out of range.
Knightley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kanaani swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Knightley has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knightley throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanaani.
Knightley scores with a shot to the side of Kanaani's head.
Knightley is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kanaani can do to turn this around?
Knightley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kanaani's elbow.
Knightley misses with a hook to the ribs.
Knightley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Knightley misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Kanaani.
Knightley misses with a hook from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Knightley.
Knightley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Knightley prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani blocks an uppercut.
Knightley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knightley tries a body shot but Kanaani blocks it.
Kanaani throws a punch but it's blocked by Knightley.
Knightley tries to throw a body punch but Kanaani avoids it by throwing Knightley back against the cage.
Kanaani misses with a punch on the inside.

Knightley manages to break the clinch.
Ender Knightley is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanaani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Knightley.
Kanaani throws a left and a right that both miss
and Knightley counters with a low kick, right behind Kanaani 's knee.
Nice shot by Kanaani.
A combination from Kanaani does no damage.
Knightley is looking to wear down Kanaani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Knightley has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kanaani finds it's way round the side to connect with Knightley's head.
Knightley lands with a cross.
Kanaani throws a leg kick
and Knightley counters with a good low kick that Kanaani was not able to check.
Knightley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kanaani.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ender Knightley dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mehdi Kanaani's cut.
That's time! Knightley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kanaani on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Knightley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kanaani moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A nice inside leg kick there by Knightley. That's going to slow Kanaani down.
Kanaani fails with a takedown attempt.
Knightley ducks under a wild hook from Kanaani.
Knightley wants to clinch up but Kanaani keeps it at a distance.
Knightley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Knightley turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Kanaani finds it's target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Knightley!
Knightley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kanaani lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knightley rushes Kanaani and presses him up against the cage.
Knightley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kanaani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kanaani doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knightley throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kanaanis head.
A short uppercut from Kanaani.
Kanaani's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Knightley scores with a shot to the side of Kanaani's head.
Knightley letting Kanaani take a breather here.

Knightley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Knightley connects with a jab.
Knightley connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Knightley uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kanaani.
Kanaani throws a shot from downtown. Knightley moves away and avoids it.
Kanaani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knightley scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
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!

Knightley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kanaani, pushing him back against the cage.
Knightley lands with a light punch inside.
Knightley lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.
Knightley lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Knightley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kanaani.
Knightley darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Knightley clinches.
Kanaani is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Knightley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knightley with the inside leg kick.
Knightley connects with a body shot that sends Kanaani's belly button to the back.
Kanaani rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Knightley counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Knightley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ender Knightley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knightley bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kanaani's head.
A jab lands there for Knightley.
Kanaani misses with a few strikes there.
Kanaani keeps the fight on the outside.
Knightley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kanaani.
Knightley slips under a jab.
A punch combination from Kanaani misses.
It looked like Knightley wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kanaani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Knightley throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kanaani on the side of the head.
Knightley just misses with a punch to the body.
Knightley lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kanaani circles away quickly and effectively.
Knightley walks into a jab.
Kanaani drops his hands momentarily and Knightley takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knightley moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kanaani throws a leg kick
and Knightley counters with a nice uppercut.
Kanaani has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Knightley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Knightley is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A good leg kick by Knightley.
Knightley throws a quick inside leg kick.
Knightley just misses with a punch to the body.
Kanaani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Knightley.
Knightley changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knightley fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kanaani on the side of the head.
Mehdi Kanaani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kanaani moves out of range as Knightley strikes.
Knightley lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Knightley closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kanaani blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ender Knightley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kanaani lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ender Knightley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knightley 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ender Knightley!
An out of breath Ender Knightley thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.