PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Twelve Knickerbocker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sal Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Knickerbocker might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Big K.R.I.T. - Saturdays = Celebration. 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 Sal Thompson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Knickerbocker
vs
Thompson

180 cm
25
176 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

Sportsmanship Ltd.

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Twelve Knickerbocker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sal Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
No joy there for Thompson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knickerbocker looks to score with a jab to the body but Thompson is just out of range.
Thompson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Thompson takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Knickerbocker fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thompson sprawls well initially but Knickerbocker persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Knickerbocker stands up and beckons Thompson to join him on the feet.
Knickerbocker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thompson as he avoids it easily.
Knickerbocker fails with the takedown
and Thompson counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thompson throws a nice looking combination but Knickerbocker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thompson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Knickerbocker shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Twelve Knickerbocker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Knickerbocker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Thompson is looking for a sweep. Knickerbocker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Knickerbocker seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knickerbocker keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Knickerbocker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thompson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Thompson tries to get to full guard but Knickerbocker has control of the leg.
Knickerbocker throwing shots but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Knickerbocker controlling the pace.

Knickerbocker escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Knickerbocker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Knickerbocker misses with an uppercut
letting Thompson counter with a right hand.
Knickerbocker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Thompson rushes Knickerbocker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson wants to get back to striking at distance but Knickerbocker won't allow it.
Thompson lands a damaging elbow.

Knickerbocker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thompson with a poor takedown
and Knickerbocker counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thompson checks the leg kick.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Knickerbocker circles away.
Knickerbocker misses with a kick to the body.
Thompson tries to clinch up but Knickerbocker circles away and keeps his distance.
Twelve Knickerbocker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses the jab.
Knickerbocker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Knickerbocker throwing a counter right hand but Thompson manages to avoid it.

Knickerbocker clinches up with Thompson and pushes him back against the cage.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knickerbocker fails in his attempt to clinch.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

Knickerbocker manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Thompson is working Knickerbocker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Thompson preventing the sweep.
Thompson working some strikes from top position.
Thompson trying to control but Knickerbocker is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knickerbocker is looking to stand up but Thompson isn't so interested in that idea.
Knickerbocker keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
Thompson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Thompson is looking to work some ground and pound but Knickerbocker has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Thompson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knickerbocker sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Knickerbocker moves in looking to clinch but Thompson pushes him off.
Knickerbocker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thompson.
A counter left hand to the body from Knickerbocker misses its target.
Knickerbocker misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Knickerbocker lands with a hook. Thompson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sal Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Knickerbocker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Knickerbocker dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Knickerbocker's head and hops out.

Thompson instigates a clinch.
Thompson being controlled against the cage.
Thompson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Knickerbocker has him pressed against the cage.
Thompson scores with a shot to the side of Knickerbocker's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knickerbocker can't break the clinch.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Knickerbocker manages to get underhooks.
Thompson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Knickerbocker to keep the fight standing.
Thompson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Knickerbocker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thompson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Twelve Knickerbocker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sal Thompson.
Thompson missing with knees to the body.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Knickerbocker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Knickerbocker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Knickerbocker throws a head kick that misses.

Knickerbocker shoots in and bounces Thompson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Knickerbocker trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson pulls Knickerbocker in to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knickerbocker is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Knickerbocker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thompson can do to turn this around?
Thompson looking to control but Knickerbocker passes into half guard.
Knickerbocker scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Knickerbocker is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson is trying to stand up here but Knickerbocker is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knickerbocker working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thompson tries to kick Knickerbocker off but Knickerbocker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Knickerbocker is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Knickerbocker wants to stand up but Thompson is controlling the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Knickerbocker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Thompson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A combination from Thompson does no damage.

Thompson clinches.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.

Thompson rushes Knickerbocker and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knickerbocker wants to get back to striking at distance but Thompson won't allow it.
Knickerbocker is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.
Thompson taking a breather.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knickerbocker has had enough of the clinch but Thompson keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Knickerbocker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thompson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Thompson avoids a wild elbow strike from Knickerbocker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Twelve Knickerbocker will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Knickerbocker looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Thompson is looking to stand up but Knickerbocker isn't so interested in that idea.
Knickerbocker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Knickerbocker looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knickerbocker has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Knickerbocker is controlling him.
Knickerbocker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Knickerbocker throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Thompson wants to clinch.
Knickerbocker misses with a takedown attempt - Thompson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thompson throws a fast counter high kick but Knickerbocker manages to duck under it in time.

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.
Knickerbocker tries a head kick but it misses.
Knickerbocker throws a series of punches but Thompson moves out of range.
Knickerbocker pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Knickerbocker loads up on a big right hand but Thompson slips the punch.
Knickerbocker shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
As Knickerbocker backs off Thompson throws a huge counter combo but Knickerbocker manages to avoid it all.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson scores with a three punch combo!
Knickerbocker takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Thompson closes the distance and pushes Knickerbocker back into the cage.
Knickerbocker misses with some punches.
Thompson can't get the takedown.

Knickerbocker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thompson lands a front kick.
Knickerbocker darts in looking for a takedown but Thompson gets double underhooks and turns Knickerbocker into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Twelve Knickerbocker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but Knickerbocker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Twelve Knickerbocker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Knickerbocker does no damage.
Knickerbocker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thompson defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Thompson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Knickerbocker tries to clinch but Thompson moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Thompson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thompson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Knickerbocker moves into the clinch successfully.
Sal Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knickerbocker has been working on his balance at Kombat MMA, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Thompson.
Knickerbocker tries to pull guard but Thompson holds him up against the cage and eventually Knickerbocker drops back down to his feet.
Thompson landing knees to the head.
Knees to the body from Thompson.
Thompson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Knickerbocker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Knickerbocker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thompson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Knickerbocker drives through with a takedown into Thompson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Thompson wants to stand and escape but Knickerbocker is having none of it.
Twelve Knickerbocker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Knickerbocker wants to pass the guard but Thompson is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knickerbocker controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Twelve Knickerbocker.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Knickerbocker, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gruel scores the fight 30:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Twelve Knickerbocker!
Twelve Knickerbocker very nearly forgot to thank Sportsmanship Ltd. amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.