PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Porthos Knox (ranked 112 p4p, 169 weight class) and Aleks Nik (ranked 17 p4p, 26 weight class). Knox comes to the cage accompanied by One Step Closer | Linkin Park. Nik has chosen Ноггано - стволок за поясок as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Knox
vs
Nik

177 cm
41
175
30 - 22 - 4

178 cm
36
171
24 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 22 - 4, fighting out of Amsterdam, Porthos Knox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleks Nik!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nik keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knox throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nik misses with a lunging right hand
and Knox counters with a left to the body.
Knox throws a jab when Nik was well out of range.

Knox clinches up with Nik and pushes him back against the cage.
Nik goes for a takedown attempt but Knox pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Knox definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Knox connects with a nice looking jab.
Nik drops his hands momentarily and Knox takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Knox drops his hands momentarily and Nik takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nik misses with a body shot.
Knox swinging wildly here.
Knox misses with a right hand
and Nik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Knox scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nik ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Knox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nik manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Knox throws a right hand that Nik ducks under and follows up with a left that Nik also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
The fighters circling - Knox throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Knox misses with a hook.
Nik throws a hook but Knox blocks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Knox misses the target.
Nik throws a hook to the side of Knox's head but Knox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Knox misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Nik has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Knox throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nik throws a looping overhand right but Knox ducks down to avoid it.
Knox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nik.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nik or perhaps it was just good defense by Knox, which made it look bad.
Nik is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Knox.
A telegraphed right hand from Nik misses the target.
Porthos Knox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knox lands a two punch combo.
Knox misses with a series of wild punches.
A swing and a miss from Nik.
Nik gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nik drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.
Nik distracts Knox with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.
Nik with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nik showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nik trying to control but Knox is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Knox moves into the clinch successfully.
Nik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knox prevents a body shot from Nik.
A shot in the inside from Knox.
Knox lands a right hand.
Knox prevents a body shot from Nik.
Nik is working Knox over against the cage.
A short right from Knox on the inside.
Nik misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Knox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knox throws a lazy right hand but Nik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nik looks to score with a jab to the body but Knox is just out of range.
Knox looks to land a right hand but Nik moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands with a cross.
Nik swings for the body but Knox moves out of range.
Knox is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Knox lands a body shot.
Knox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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!
Knox moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Knox doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Porthos Knox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Nik misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Nik closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Knox to the mat! Knox manages to get full guard.
Nik controlling from the top position.
Knox is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Knox utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nik working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nik keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knox.
Knox throws a hook but Nik blocks it.
Knox misses with the combination.
Nik lands with a good body shot.
Knox showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nik.
Knox missing with a left hand there. Nik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nik misses with an uppercut. Knox saw that one coming.
Knox takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nik gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Knox gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nik throws a hook to the side of Knox's head but Knox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Knox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nik sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Knox throws a lazy right hand but Nik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Nik was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Knox throws a lazy right hand but Nik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Knox tries to clinch but Nik is having none of it.
Knox on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox ducks right into an uppercut from Nik.
Nik misses with a looping left.
Nik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nik lands with a straight right. Knox didn't see that one coming.
Nik misses with a takedown attempt - Knox sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nik takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Nik looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Knox!
Nik lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Knox down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nik is putting a hurting on Knox here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nik postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nik happy to just control the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nik throws a strike aimed at the side of Knox's head but Knox avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Nik crashes against the mat.
Nik misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Knox is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Check out the look on Nik's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Nik in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Aleks Nik has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik throws a strike aimed at the side of Knox's head but Knox avoids it well.
Nik misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Knox wants to get back to his feet but Nik drags him back down.
Nik trying to control the position but Knox is working away.
Nik in side control lands a decent elbow.
Nik scores with a couple of short elbows.
Knox is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nik controlling from side mount.
Nik tries to move to mount but Knox blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik grinds an elbow into Knox's temple.
Nik taking a break here but Knox is having none of it and regains half guard.
Knox taking some punishment here, with Nik in his half guard.
Knox wants to get back to his feet.
Nik thows a huge punch but Knox dodges it nicely.
Knox pushes Nik off but Nik dives into side control.
Nik throws an elbow but Knox slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Knox slips under a jab.
Knox takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Knox scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nik in his tracks.

Nik is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Knox's half guard.
Nik is controlling the pace.
Nik moves nicely into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nik taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Nik trying to control the position but Knox is working away.
Knox is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Nik working the head with strikes.
Nik creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Nik wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knox keeps working.
Nik tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nik has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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.
Nik connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Knox some visible discomfort.
Nik slows the pace down.
Nik wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knox keeps working.
Nik throws a strike aimed at the side of Knox's head but Knox avoids it well.
Nik trying to control the action but Knox is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Knox ducks under a wild hook from Nik.
Nice shot lands for Knox.
Decent striking displayed by Knox there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knox darts in and clinches Nik up against the cage.
Knox blocks a body shot from Nik.
Nik misses with a body punch.
Knox lands with a right to the head.
Nik softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nik is working Knox over against the cage.
Nik can't find room to land a body shot as Knox controls the action.
Nik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Nik on the inside.
Nik tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Knox manages to break the clinch.
Nik throws a one two combo.
A big left from Nik misses.
Nik moves away from the strike by Knox.
Knox misses with a straight right.
Knox misses with the combination.
Nik throws out a counter right but Knox avoids it with no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knox throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Knox scores with a body shot.
Nik doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Knox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nik sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Nik.
Knox throws a hook but Nik avoids it easily.
Nik missing with a left hand there. Knox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knox looks to throw the jab but Nik is out of range.
Nik is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Knox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nik cracks Knox with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nik misses the jab.
Nik scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Knox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nik throws a body shot but no joy.
Nik stuns Knox with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nik blocks a jab.
Porthos Knox is winning the standup battle so far.
Nik connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Knox takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nik lands with a good body shot.
Nik throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A jab from Nik misses.
Nik throws the left hand but Knox avoids the punch easily.
Decent striking displayed by Knox there.
Nik lands a really nice looking cross but Knox seems unphased.
Knox scores with a sloppy right hand. Nik should have avoided that one.
Nik misses with a straight right.
Knox scores with a nice strike.
Nik ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knox. Nik does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nik displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knox throws out the jab.
Nik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knox.
Knox throws a right hand that misses
and Nik counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Nik dives in and grabs Knox's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knox pushes down on Nik's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knox throws out the jab.
Nik misses the jab.
It looked like Knox wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nik throws out a powerful jab.
Knox swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knox jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nik moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nik fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knox manages to avoid it.
Knox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nik.
Nik tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knox was well out of range. Poor timing from Nik.
Knox throws a big counter combination but Nik scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nik misses with an uppercut. Knox saw that one coming.
Nik misses with a hook.
Knox went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Knox lands a nice shot that snaps Nik's head back.
Knox ducks under a wild hook from Nik.
Knox scores with a jab to the head.
Knox throws a body punch but Nik moves out of range.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nik moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nik misses with a looping right.
Knox fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nik uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knox.
Knox tries to close the distance and clinch but Nik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Knox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Nik drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nik lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Knox down.
Nik working the head and body with strikes.
Knox tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Nik trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Nik is trying to control but Knox is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Knox is bucking up trying to escape but Nik cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Knox taking shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You get the feeling that Knox really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Nik with shots to the head and body - Knox looks very uncomfortable down there.
Nik scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nik lands with some strikes.

Knox is rocked!
Knox is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Oh Knox is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik tries to control but Knox wriggling away.
Knox seems to have got his legs back now.
Nik landing shots from mount.
Nik with the ground and pound from mount.
Nik raining down hammerfists from mount.
Nik looking to finish Knox with some ground and pound. This is bad for Knox!
Nik can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Knox is looking to escape.
Nik putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nik lands a big elbow - Knox is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Knox is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Aleks Nik!
Aleks Nik is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Aleks Nik, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.