PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Molotov (ranked 2133 p4p, 255 weight class) and Bobby Knuckles (ranked 1586 p4p, 196 weight class). Molotov comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem - Phenomenal. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Molotov
vs
Knuckles

185 cm
20
197 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

182 cm
21
187 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexey Molotov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Knuckles!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Knuckles.
Molotov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knuckles scores with a kick to the body.
Molotov throws an overhand right that lands on Knuckles's shoulder, as Knuckles tries to avoid the shot.
Knuckles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Molotov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Knuckles doesn't seem bothered though.
Knuckles scores with a kick to the body.
Molotov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A quick step to the side and Molotov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Molotov 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.
Knuckles lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Molotov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A big left from Knuckles misses.
Molotov lands a nice shot that snaps Knuckles's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knuckles displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Molotov throws out the jab.
Knuckles only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Molotov looks for a takedown but Knuckles sprawls well.
Knuckles doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles misses with a straight right.
Molotov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Molotov looks to score with a jab to the body but Knuckles is just out of range.
Molotov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knuckles sprawls well. Knuckles wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Molotov gets slowly back to his feet.
Knuckles throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Molotov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Knuckles misses with a leg kick

and Molotov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Knuckles is pressing down on Molotov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Knuckles being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molotov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knuckles's head.
We've been hearing that Molotov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Molotov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Molotov postures up in Knuckles's guard and throws a big left but Knuckles blocks it.
Knuckles wants to sweep here but Molotov controlling him for the moment.
Molotov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knuckles wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molotov is looking to work some ground and pound but Knuckles has wrist control.
Molotov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Molotov wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
Molotov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Knuckles's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Molotov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Knuckles scrambles back to his feet.
Molotov avoids the body shot from Knuckles.
Molotov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Knuckles moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Knuckles tries a quick counter leg kick but Molotov is wise to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molotov walks into a straight right hand from Knuckles.
Knuckles slips a jab and a cross from Molotov.
Knuckles misses with the combination.
Molotov lands a nice hook to Knuckles's body. Knuckles takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Knuckles lands with a right hand.
A left and a right from Molotov both land. Nice combination.
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!
Knuckles bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knuckles tries a quick counter leg kick but Molotov is wise to it.
Knuckles takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheers as Molotov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Knuckles doesn't seem phased though.
Molotov lands a really nice looking cross but Knuckles seems unphased.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A big left from Knuckles misses.
A little feinted left hand from Molotov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Knuckles uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Molotov.
Molotov misses with a hook
and Knuckles counters with a leg kick.
Knuckles is looking to score with low kicks.
Knuckles throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Molotov fails to land with a series of punches.
Knuckles lands a leg kick that knocks Molotov off balance momentarily.
Molotov throws out a loose jab but Knuckles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Molotov misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Molotov misses the shot to the body.
A little jabbing left from Knuckles on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Molotov throws an off balance right hand
and Knuckles counters with a nice body kick.
Molotov misses with a looping left.
Knuckles swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Molotov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knuckles makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molotov misses with a hook
and Knuckles makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Molotov slips a jab from Knuckles.
Molotov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Knuckles staying out of range there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Knuckles! But no joy.
Knuckles throws a sloppy head kick and Molotov moves out of range easily.
Molotov tries to counter with a takedown but Knuckles is quick to defend against it.
Molotov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Knuckles at a distance.
Knuckles throws a lazy right hand but Molotov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Knuckles throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Molotov on the side of the head.
Molotov misses with a lunging right hand
and Knuckles counters with a stiff right hand.
Molotov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knuckles ducks right into an uppercut from Molotov.
Molotov loads up on a big right hand but Knuckles slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Molotov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Knuckles keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Molotov misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Molotov throws a body punch but Knuckles moves out of range.
A nice side step and Knuckles releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Molotov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Knuckles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Molotov.
Knuckles was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
The crowd cheers as Molotov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Knuckles doesn't seem phased though.
Knuckles misses with a body shot.
Molotov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Molotov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Molotov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Molotov misses with a lunging right hand
and Knuckles finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Alexey Molotov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knuckles throws a hook but Molotov avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A jab from Molotov misses.
Molotov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Knuckles throws a nice head kick!
Molotov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Knuckles defending well as Molotov loads up on a big left hand.
It seemed like Knuckles was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bobby Knuckles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Molotov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knuckles manages to avoid it.
Knuckles throws out a counter right but Molotov avoids it with no problem.
Molotov misses with an uppercut
and Knuckles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Knuckles jabs at Molotov's body.
Molotov misses with an uppercut
and Knuckles counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Knuckles slips under a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Molotov.
Knuckles was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molotov swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Knuckles to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knuckles chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Molotov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Molotov throws the left hand but Knuckles avoids the punch easily.
A cross from Knuckles lands.
Knuckles lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Molotov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Molotov.
A cross from Knuckles lands.
Molotov misses with a looping right.
Bobby Knuckles seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Molotov ducks under a wild hook from Knuckles.
A little feinted left hand from Molotov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Molotov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Knuckles can pounce on him.
Molotov moves into range and connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Knuckles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Molotov throws a lazy uppercut
and Knuckles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Knuckles slips a jab from Molotov.
Molotov loads up on a big right hand but Knuckles slips the punch.
Knuckles swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Knuckles looks to throw the jab but Molotov is out of range.
Nice jab there from Knuckles.
A shot to the liver by Molotov. Beautiful body shot.
Knuckles lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Molotov at a distance.

Molotov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Knuckles's guard.
Knuckles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Knuckles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Molotov is pushing down on Knuckles's leg trying to pass to half guard. Knuckles is fighting to maintain full guard but Molotov has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Molotov lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Molotov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Molotov in particular looking to stall.
Molotov trying to control the action but Knuckles is working from the bottom.
Molotov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Molotov wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Molotov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Knuckles's head.
Molotov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Molotov thows a huge punch but Knuckles dodges it nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Molotov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Knuckles throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Molotov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Molotov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Molotov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Knuckles sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Molotov lands with a nice combination. Knuckles backs away looking to recover.
Molotov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Molotov misses with a takedown
and Knuckles counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Knuckles doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Molotov throws a body shot but no joy.
Knuckles throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Molotov counters with a shoot takedown. Knuckles fights it but they end up in guard.
Molotov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Molotov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knuckles works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Molotov looking to sit in guard and control but Knuckles gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Molotov keeping moving, preventing Knuckles from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molotov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alexey Molotov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Molotov holds on and takes a little breather.
Knuckles wants to control from the top but Molotov keeps moving.
Molotov wants to sweep here but Knuckles controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knuckles passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Molotov tries to buck Knuckles off but Knuckles is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Molotov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Molotov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Molotov!
A very excited looking Alexey Molotov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.