PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Archibald Knox (ranked 735 p4p, 88 weight class) and Valentine Masterson (ranked 403 p4p, 52 weight class). 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
Masterson

185 cm
25
190 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

188 cm
26
190 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Archibald Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valentine Masterson!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masterson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Masterson is just out of range.
Masterson stalks Knox and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Knox's face. Knox staggers backwards, shaken.
Knox takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masterson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Knox. Knox circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Knox bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knox digs a good hook to Masterson's body.
Masterson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Knox throws a wild body kick that Masterson sees coming a mile off.
Knox misses with a low kick.
Knox throws a solid leg kick but Masterson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Knox.
Knox misses with a straight left.
Masterson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knox misses with a double jab
and Knox takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Knox motions for Masterson to come forward. Knox throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox punishes Masterson's body with a nice straight punch.
We've been informed that Masterson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Knox throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knox. Masterson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knox takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Masterson lands with an uppercut that bounces Knox off the cage and back into range.
A jab from Knox finds it's way through Masterson's defenses.
Masterson jabs at Knox's body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Masterson, as that shot connected.
An inside leg kick lands from Masterson.
A big right from Masterson misses.
Masterson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Knox chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Masterson can pounce on him.
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!
Masterson misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masterson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Knox's head.
Knox seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Knox throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Masterson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Knox misses with a body shot.
Masterson wants to slow Knox down by chopping away at his legs.
An attempted straight right counter from Knox misses the target.
Masterson misses with an uppercut.
Knox throws a leg kick
and Masterson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masterson moves away.
Knox throws the left hand but Masterson avoids the punch easily.
Knox misses with a series of wild punches.
Knox throws a body punch but Masterson moves out of range.
A slow jab from Masterson misses its intended target.
Knox takes a swing at Masterson's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knox throws a body shot but no joy.
Masterson lands a jab to the head.
Knox takes a swing at Masterson's ribcage but misses.
Masterson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Masterson looks to score with a jab to the body but Knox is just out of range.
Knox swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Knox lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Masterson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Masterson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Masterson throws out a counter right but Knox avoids it with no problem.
Knox wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Knox moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Masterson lands with a nice body kick.
Masterson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Knox had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Masterson works the jab nicely.
Knox is looking to wear down Masterson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Knox takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Masterson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knox throws out a leg kick but Masterson moves out of range and Knox only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masterson throws out a powerful jab.
Knox takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
An inside leg kick lands from Knox.
A nice leg kick lands there from Knox.
Valentine Masterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knox misses with a low kick.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masterson.
Masterson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Knox.
Knox throwing a counter right hand but Masterson manages to avoid it.
Masterson throws a jab but it's blocked by Knox.
Knox was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Knox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Masterson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Knox stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Masterson.
Knox pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Masterson misses with a straight right.
Knox thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentine Masterson 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.

Knox bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Knox might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Knox looks to land a combination but Masterson avoids it well.
Knox throws a hook but Masterson avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Knox misses.
Masterson scoring well with a low kick there.
Knox moves out of range of the body kick.
Masterson connects with a crisp jab.
Knox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Masterson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knox.
Knox is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masterson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Valentine Masterson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Decent striking displayed by Masterson there.
Masterson throws a head kick but Knox moves out of range.
Masterson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knox misses with a looping right.
Masterson throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masterson catches Knox with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Knox looks to throw the jab but Masterson is out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Masterson.
Masterson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Masterson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Knox wants to slow Masterson down by chopping away at his legs.
Knox attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Masterson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Knox throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Masterson.
A nice inside leg kick there by Masterson. That's going to slow Knox down.
Masterson scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Masterson is looking to slow Knox down with leg kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Masterson.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masterson.
Masterson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Masterson throws a jab but it's blocked by Knox.
Masterson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Knox wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Masterson cracks the inside of Knox's front leg.
Knox throws a shot to the body.
Masterson misses with a straight left.
Knox takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masterson scores with a hook to the body. Knox takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Knox lands a nice leg kick that just misses Masterson's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masterson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Knox's head backwards.
Knox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Masterson throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
Knox walks into a left hand.
Masterson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Knox appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Masterson scores with a head kick. Knox tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Knox tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Masterson is able to avoid easily.
Knox tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Masterson is able to avoid easily.
Masterson throws a front kick aimed at Knox's knee but Knox avoids it well.
Knox was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Knox looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Masterson takes a swing at Knox's ribcage but misses.
Knox lands a slapping body shot.
Knox comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Knox waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masterson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Knox takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knox throws a low kick but Masterson moves out of range easily.
Knox slips under a jab from Masterson.
Masterson slips under a jab.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Masterson is just out of range.
Knox misses with a body shot.
Masterson slips a straight right by Knox.
Knox looks to land a combination but Masterson avoids it well.
Masterson misses with a low kick.
Knox swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Masterson lands a nice hook to Knox's body. Knox takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Knox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentine Masterson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Knox attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Masterson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Masterson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Knox.
Knox throws out a loose jab but Masterson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knox connects with a single shot there.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masterson was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.
Masterson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Knox's head backwards.
Some bone on bone action there as Masterson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Masterson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Knox in his tracks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masterson scores with a jab. Knox acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Knox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Masterson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Knox throws a jab when Masterson was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masterson misses the jab.
Knox throws a half hearted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Masterson! But no joy.
Masterson blocks a jab.
Masterson throws a hook but Knox avoids it easily.
Knox shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Masterson lands a jab to the head.
Knox looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Masterson misses with a head kick.
Masterson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Masterson!
Masterson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masterson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Archibald Knox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Knox moves out of range of the leg kick from Masterson.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masterson.
Masterson thows a leg kick but Knox checks it
and Knox counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Knox misses with a hook.
Masterson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Masterson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Masterson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Masterson looks to throw the jab but Knox is out of range.
Knox on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masterson moves away.
A head kick misses from Knox.
Masterson cracks the inside of Knox's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Masterson throws an overhand right that lands on Knox's shoulder, as Knox tries to avoid the shot.
Masterson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knox.
Knox looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Masterson moves into range and connects with a jab.
A big right from Knox misses.
Knox misses with a hook.
Masterson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Masterson lands a really nice looking cross but Knox seems unphased.
Masterson clobbers Knox with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Masterson, right into the meat.
Masterson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masterson staying out of range there.
Masterson tries to work over Knox's front leg with a kick but Knox checks it.
Masterson lands the left 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!
Masterson misses with a hook
and Knox counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Knox.
Knox misses with a head kick.
Masterson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Knox throws a body kick that misses
and Masterson counters with a head kick. That will keep Knox thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Masterson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Knox throws a leg kick but Masterson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Masterson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Masterson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Valentine Masterson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Masterson misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentine Masterson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Masterson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentine Masterson!