PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Knokimoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Prokopenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Knokimoff had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.8lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Igor Knokimoff has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Knokimoff
vs
Prokopenko

183 cm
18
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Determined

L.A. Elite Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Knokimoff!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roman Prokopenko!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Prokopenko tries to clinch
and Knokimoff counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Prokopenko clinches up with Knokimoff and pushes him back against the cage.
Prokopenko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Knokimoff's defenses.
Prokopenko scores with a nice hook to the head.

Knokimoff manages to pull guard.
Prokopenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knokimoff avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Prokopenko sitting in guard here, content to control.
Knokimoff knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Prokopenko on the ground.
Knokimoff trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Prokopenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Prokopenko trying to control but Knokimoff is working from the bottom.
Prokopenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Knokimoff avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Prokopenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Prokopenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Prokopenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Prokopenko with a nice head shot there.
Prokopenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knokimoff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prokopenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Knokimoff is breathing heavily.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Prokopenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Prokopenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knokimoff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Prokopenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Prokopenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko with a nice head shot there.
Prokopenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Knokimoff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Prokopenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Knokimoff has wrist control.
Prokopenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Prokopenko lands a couple of elbows.
Prokopenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Prokopenko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Prokopenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Knokimoff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Prokopenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Knokimoff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Prokopenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Prokopenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Prokopenko with a nice head shot there.
Prokopenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Knokimoff working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Prokopenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Prokopenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Prokopenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Prokopenko wants to control from the top but Knokimoff keeps moving.
Knokimoff has momentary wrist control but Prokopenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Prokopenko distracts Knokimoff with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Prokopenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Prokopenko lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prokopenko trying to control but Knokimoff is working from the bottom.
Prokopenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Prokopenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.

Prokopenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Prokopenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Prokopenko lands a couple of elbows.
Prokopenko landing some decent shots from guard.
Prokopenko cracks Knokimoff with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prokopenko darts in trying to clinch
and Knokimoff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Prokopenko misses with a double jab
enabling Knokimoff to counter with a crisp jab.
Prokopenko doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Knokimoff counter with a right hand.
Prokopenko tries to clinch up
and Knokimoff counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Prokopenko with a poor takedown
and Knokimoff counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Prokopenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Knokimoff connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Igor Knokimoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Prokopenko.

Knokimoff closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Prokopenko to the mat! Prokopenko manages to get full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prokopenko is looking to stand up but Knokimoff isn't so interested in that idea.
Knokimoff is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Knokimoff won't allow Prokopenko to get back to his feet.
Knokimoff tries to free his leg and advance position but Prokopenko is retaining full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Prokopenko wants to stand up but Knokimoff is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Prokopenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Knokimoff counters with a low kick, right behind Prokopenko 's knee.

Knokimoff gets the takedown into side control.
Prokopenko wants to get back to his feet but Knokimoff drags him back down.
Knokimoff tries to move to mount but Prokopenko blocks the move with his legs.

Prokopenko sneaks out the side door and pushes Knokimoff away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Prokopenko darts in trying to clinch

and Knokimoff counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knokimoff looking to stall.
Prokopenko stalling the fight.
Prokopenko throws an elbow but it misses.

Knokimoff manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Knokimoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Prokopenko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Prokopenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Prokopenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Prokopenko looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Prokopenko with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prokopenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Prokopenko is in close to Knokimoff's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Knokimoff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Prokopenko.
Knokimoff working a defensive guard here.
Prokopenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Prokopenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Prokopenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Prokopenko landing some decent shots from guard.
Knokimoff thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Prokopenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Knokimoff is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prokopenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Prokopenko tries to clinch
and Knokimoff counters with a low kick, right behind Prokopenko 's knee.
Prokopenko has his takedown stuffed
and Knokimoff counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Prokopenko misses with a takedown
and Knokimoff counters with an inside leg kick.

Prokopenko moves into the clinch successfully.
Prokopenko is looking to break free of the clinch but Knokimoff has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Prokopenko wants a takedown.
Igor Knokimoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Prokopenko.
Knokimoff prevents Prokopenko from breaking the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Knokimoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Knokimoff closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Knokimoff gets control of Prokopenko's arms and successfully pulls guard. Knokimoff will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Knokimoff is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko connects with a couple of short punches.

Knokimoff looking for a guillotine here but Prokopenko defends easily.
Prokopenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Roman Prokopenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Prokopenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Knokimoff controls Prokopenko momentarily but Prokopenko frees himself.
Prokopenko wants to control from the top but Knokimoff keeps moving.
Prokopenko stands up over Knokimoff, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Prokopenko landing some decent shots from guard.

Knokimoff looking for a guillotine here but Prokopenko defends easily.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko postures up and lands a big shot to Knokimoff's brow.
Prokopenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Prokopenko stays in close to Knokimoff's body and controls the position.
Prokopenko is in close to Knokimoff's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prokopenko is stalling in the full guard.

Knokimoff throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Prokopenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Prokopenko wants to control from the top but Knokimoff keeps moving.
Knokimoff working a defensive guard here.
Prokopenko trying to control but Knokimoff is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Prokopenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Knokimoff throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Prokopenko lands a couple of elbows.
Prokopenko sitting in guard here, content to control.
Prokopenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knokimoff's head.
Prokopenko cracks Knokimoff with a solid left hand.
Knokimoff has momentary wrist control but Prokopenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Knokimoff is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Prokopenko is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Knokimoff has momentary wrist control but Prokopenko slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Prokopenko really dominated that round.
That's time! Knokimoff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Prokopenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Prokopenko tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Knokimoff counters with an outside leg kick.
Knokimoff circles away from the clinch attempt

and Knokimoff counters with a single leg into guard. Prokopenko didn't expect that.
Prokopenko wants to stand up but Knokimoff is controlling him.
Knokimoff wants to pass the guard but Prokopenko is keeping the position.
Prokopenko wants to stand and escape but Knokimoff is having none of it.
Knokimoff sitting in guard, not really doing much.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Prokopenko is looking to stand up but Knokimoff isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Prokopenko misses with a takedown attempt
and Knokimoff counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Knokimoff digs a good body shot into Prokopenko's ribs.
Knokimoff connects with an inside leg kick.
Knokimoff dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Prokopenko. That did some damage!

Knokimoff moves into the clinch successfully.
Prokopenko gets through Knokimoff's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Prokopenko lands with a left to the head.

Knokimoff pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Prokopenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knokimoff has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Prokopenko has managed to get both his arms back between Knokimoff's legs - danger averted.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.
Prokopenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Prokopenko wants to stand but Knokimoff has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Knokimoff trying to keep a closed guard but Prokopenko is proving a slippery customer.
Prokopenko trying to control but Knokimoff is working from the bottom.

Knokimoff escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Prokopenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Knokimoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Prokopenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Prokopenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Knokimoff is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Prokopenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Prokopenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Prokopenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Knokimoff controls Prokopenko momentarily but Prokopenko frees himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Prokopenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Knokimoff has momentary wrist control but Prokopenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Prokopenko working some strikes from top position.
Prokopenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Knokimoff working a defensive guard here.
Prokopenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Prokopenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knokimoff's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prokopenko with a nice head shot there.

Knokimoff working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Prokopenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Prokopenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Prokopenko throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Knokimoff had his way with Roman Prokopenko in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Prokopenko wants to clinch

and Knokimoff counters with a nice double leg into side control. Prokopenko won't be happy with that.
Prokopenko is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Knokimoff asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Knokimoff is looking to take a break and control but Prokopenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Prokopenko is pushing Knokimoff's head away, looking to escape. Knokimoff manages to hold on to the position though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Prokopenko is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knokimoff throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Knokimoff wants to control but Prokopenko is keeping him busy.
Prokopenko is trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Knokimoff working the ground and pound but Prokopenko is defending the strikes.
Prokopenko is pushing Knokimoff's head away, looking to escape. Knokimoff manages to hold on to the position though.
Knokimoff trying to control the action but Prokopenko is working from the bottom.
Prokopenko is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Knokimoff is controlling him well.

Knokimoff tries for a kimura but Prokopenko is defending well.
Prokopenko is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Prokopenko bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Prokopenko with a lazy takedown attempt

and Knokimoff counters by clinching up.

Knokimoff decides to pull guard.
Knokimoff keeping moving, preventing Prokopenko from controlling successfully.

Knokimoff is looking for a triangle but Prokopenko pushes his legs off easily.
Prokopenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Knokimoff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Knokimoff working for a triangle but Prokopenko defends it easily.
Prokopenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prokopenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Knokimoff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knokimoff wants to stand and escape but Prokopenko is having none of it.
Prokopenko trying to control but Knokimoff is working from the bottom.
Prokopenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Prokopenko distracts Knokimoff with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prokopenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Prokopenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Prokopenko stays in close to Knokimoff's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Knokimoff showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Knokimoff 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Knokimoff!
Igor Knokimoff is the new lightweight champion!