PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Billy Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Kratzkopf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Knuckles
vs
Kratzkopf

178 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dmitry Kratzkopf!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knuckles changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knuckles lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Knuckles moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Knuckles lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Kratzkopf scores with a takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kratzkopf wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
Knuckles wants to stand but Kratzkopf is controlling the position.
Kratzkopf trying to control but Knuckles is working from the bottom.
Knuckles controlling the position.
Kratzkopf wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kratzkopf gets the takedown into side control.
Knuckles is trying to improve his position.
Knuckles gets back to half guard.
Knuckles tries to roll over but Kratzkopf keeps him under control.
Knuckles is pressing down on Kratzkopf's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kratzkopf content to stall in guard here.
Kratzkopf looks gassed!
Kratzkopf trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Knuckles holds on and takes a little breather.
Knuckles is looking to stand up but Kratzkopf isn't so interested in that idea.
Kratzkopf controlling from the top position.
Kratzkopf trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knuckles being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kratzkopf trying to control but Knuckles is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dmitry Kratzkopf.
Knuckles lands with a hook. Kratzkopf tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Knuckles misses with a two punch combination.
Knuckles lands a lovely overhand right.
Knuckles throws a combination. Kratzkopf tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Knuckles throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice combination there by Knuckles.
Knuckles throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Billy Knuckles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knuckles lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Knuckles.
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!
Kratzkopf moves out of range of the body kick.
Knuckles throws a one two combo.
Billy Knuckles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kratzkopf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kratzkopf misses with a two punch combination.
Kratzkopf dodges the punch combination from Knuckles.
Knuckles throws a shot to the body.
Knuckles misses with a double jab.
Knuckles slips a jab and a cross from Kratzkopf.
Knuckles sizes up Kratzkopf with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Knuckles's corner calls for a 1-2. Knuckles obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kratzkopf slips a jab and a cross from Knuckles.
No joy there for Knuckles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knuckles scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Knuckles dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kratzkopf scores with a takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Kratzkopf wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
Knuckles has Kratzkopf pulled in close to control his posture.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knuckles looking for a sweep. Not yet Knuckles, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles keeping moving, preventing Kratzkopf from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knuckles sizes up Kratzkopf with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Knuckles misses with a double jab.
Donk. Knuckles catches Kratzkopf right on the button with a cross.
Kratzkopf has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kratzkopf there as he acknowledges the shot.
No joy there for Kratzkopf, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kratzkopf shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Knuckles napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kratzkopf wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.
Knuckles is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kratzkopf wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.
Knuckles is pushing Kratzkopf's head away, looking to escape. Kratzkopf manages to hold on to the position though.
Kratzkopf working away.
Knuckles is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Knuckles has one of Kratzkopf's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kratzkopf tries to close the distance and clinch but Knuckles swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles throws a series of punches but Kratzkopf moves out of range.
Knuckles works the jab nicely.
Knuckles throws a shot from downtown. Kratzkopf moves away and avoids it.
Knuckles misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kratzkopf.
Knuckles fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kratzkopf shoots in but Knuckles avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Knuckles takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd cheers as Knuckles lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kratzkopf doesn't seem phased though.
Kratzkopf takes a jab right on the kisser.
Knuckles thuds a left hand into Kratzkopf's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles scores with a jab to the body.
Kratzkopf takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Knuckles throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Billy Knuckles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kratzkopf blocks a jab.
Knuckles throws a nice looking combination but Kratzkopf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kratzkopf throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kratzkopf lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Knuckles circles away quickly and effectively.
Knuckles misses with a head kick.
Knuckles misses the jab.
Kratzkopf is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Knuckles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kratzkopf misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Knuckles dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kratzkopf dives in and grabs Knuckles's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knuckles pushes down on Kratzkopf's head and hops out.
Knuckles swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kratzkopf makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Knuckles throws a right and a left that Kratzkopf avoids nicely.
Knuckles misses with a body kick.
Kratzkopf walks into a stiff left hand from Knuckles.
Kratzkopf pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kratzkopf shoots for a takedown but Knuckles saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knuckles misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kratzkopf walks into a straight right hand from Knuckles.
Kratzkopf closes the distance and clinches up with Knuckles, looking for a takedown. Kratzkopf pushes Knuckles against the cage but Knuckles circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Billy Knuckles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Kratzkopf.
Knuckles throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kratzkopf.
Kratzkopf on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles misses with a combination

and Kratzkopf moves into the clinch.
Knuckles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kratzkopf has him pressed against the cage.
Kratzkopf fails to pull guard.
Kratzkopf is working for takedown but Knuckles is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knuckles looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kratzkopf tries to pull guard but Knuckles holds him up against the cage and eventually Kratzkopf drops back down to his feet.
Knuckles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kratzkopf has him pressed against the cage.
Knuckles has had enough of the clinch but Kratzkopf keeps him there for the moment.
Kratzkopf wants a takedown but no success here.

Knuckles breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Knuckles lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kratzkopf doesn't seem phased though.
Knuckles looks to land a combination. Kratzkopf sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Knuckles lands with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles lands a nice looking body shot.
Knuckles connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kratzkopf shoots for a double leg takedown but Knuckles sprawls well. He's pushed Kratzkopf's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jab from Knuckles.
Knuckles smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The fighters circle momentarily. Knuckles darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Knuckles scores with a hook.
Knuckles throws a big shot that misses.
Knuckles looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Knuckles misses with a body kick.
Knuckles keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kratzkopf has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kratzkopf misses with a shot to the body
and Knuckles cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Knuckles fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Kratzkopf gets the takedown into side control.
Knuckles is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kratzkopf is looking to take a break and control but Knuckles is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Knuckles stops Kratzkopf from passing to mount.
Knuckles is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles sneaks back into half guard.
Kratzkopf thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Knuckles's head.
Kratzkopf is trying to control the action in half guard but Knuckles is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knuckles throws a series of punches but Kratzkopf moves out of range.
Kratzkopf walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Knuckles connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dmitry Kratzkopf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kratzkopf blocks a head kick by Knuckles.
Nice straight punches there by Knuckles. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Knuckles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Knuckles showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Knuckles, 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Knuckles!