PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Don Knotts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shiro Royal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Knotts
vs
Royal

188 cm
22
220 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

187 cm
22
212 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Don Knotts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shiro Royal!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knotts connects with a leg kick. Royal looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Knotts throws a hook but Royal blocks it.
Knotts goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Knotts misses with a head kick.
Knotts throws a lazy right hand but Royal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A low kick from Royal misses
and Knotts counters with a straight right hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Knotts.
Royal blocks the body kick.
Knotts misses with a looping left.
A decent looking cross lands there for Knotts.
Royal attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick from Royal lands but Knotts takes it in his stride.

It looks like Don Knotts has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knotts scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Royal keeps the fight on the outside.
Royal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Knotts misses with an uppercut
and Royal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Royal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Knotts counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Don Knotts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knotts scores with a push kick.
Knotts lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knotts closes the distance and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Knotts.
Knotts softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Knotts cracks Royal with a nice body shot.
Knotts blocking some punches.
A body shot lands from Knotts.
A frustrated look appears on Royal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Knotts lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Royal is trying to break the clinch but Knotts is controlling him.
Knotts works on Royal's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knotts.
Knotts lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Royal.
Royal looks gassed!
Knotts lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Royal or not.
Royal is trying to break the clinch but Knotts is controlling him.
Knotts lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Royal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Knotts breaks from the clinch.
Knotts throws a lazy head kick
and Royal counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Knotts moves out of range as Royal throws a body kick.
Knotts lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Knotts lands with a nice combination. Royal backs away looking to recover.
Knotts throws a leg kick which misses Royal's front leg but catches the back leg as Royal tries to avoid it.
A low kick from Royal misses
and Knotts counters with a nice uppercut.
Royal throws a looping overhand right but Knotts ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royal misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Knotts lands with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knotts misses with a body kick.

Knotts pushes Royal up against the cage in a clinch.
Royal misses with a punch on the inside.

Knotts escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Knotts clinches up with Royal and pushes him back against the cage.
Knotts lands a shot to the body.
Knotts lands a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Knotts.
Knotts lands an uppercut.
Knotts presses Royal against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Knotts.
Knotts lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knotts gets through Royal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Knotts.
Royal presses Knotts against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Royal working aggressively here.
Royal can't break the clinch.
Knotts lands a nice shot to the body.
Knotts softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Royal.
Royal is trying to force a seperation but Knotts has the dominant position.
Royal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knotts escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Knotts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Knotts throws a body kick that misses.
Knotts throws a right and a left that Royal avoids nicely.
Knotts lands a nice shot to the body.

Knotts moves into the clinch successfully.
Knotts blocks a body shot from Royal.
Knotts lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Knotts scores with a shoulder strike.
Knotts pushes Royal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Knotts is working Royal over against the cage.
Knotts lands a body shot.
Knotts lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Knotts.
Knotts lands a shoulder strike.
Knotts lands a body punch in the clinch.
Knotts lands a right hand that snaps the head of Royal backwards.
Knotts pushes Royal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knotts lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Knotts lands a left hand that snaps the head of Royal backwards.

Knotts breaks from the clinch.
Knotts throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knotts thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Royal if he has to take too many more of those.
Royal throws a head kick that misses.

Knotts gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Knotts lands a nice shot to the body.
A right hand to the body from Knotts.
Knotts lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Knotts digs a right hand into Royal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Royal's gas tank.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Knotts breaks the clinch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Knotts - that will leave a mark!
Royal throws a body punch but Knotts moves out of range.
Knotts connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Royal misses with a leg kick

and Knotts counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Royal working for a triangle but Knotts defends it easily.

Royal has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Knotts is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Royal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knotts in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Knotts dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Don Knotts's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sloppy strikes from Royal. Those never looked like landing.
A solid leg kick lands there for Knotts.
Royal takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Knotts is looking to clinch but Royal is avoiding it.
Royal stuns Knotts with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Knotts moves out of range of the body kick from Royal.
Knotts throws a shot to the body.

Knotts shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Royal manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Knotts advances to half guard.
Knotts wants to control but Royal is keeping him busy.
Royal is looking to control Knotts's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Royal avoid being mounted?
Knotts has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Knotts is taking a breather. Royal says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Royal wants to control but Knotts is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knotts lands with a punch from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knotts stalling.
Royal wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Knotts lands a nice short elbow.
Royal is looking to control Knotts's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Royal avoid being mounted?
Knotts performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Knotts scores with a head kick.
Nice defenses there by Royal.
Knotts shoots in looking for a takedown but Royal manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Knotts's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royal misses with an uppercut. Knotts saw that one coming.
Royal lands a jab to the head.
A head kick by Royal misses
and Knotts counters with a nice body kick.
Knotts lands with a hook. Royal tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Knotts feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Royal looking for a guillotine here but Knotts defends easily.
Knotts controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Knotts preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Royal is looking for a triangle but Knotts pushes his legs off easily.
Royal keeping moving, preventing Knotts from controlling successfully.
Knotts won't allow Royal to sweep him here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Don Knotts.
Knotts throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Knotts shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Royal as he avoids it easily.
Knotts throws a head kick that Royal semi-blocks.
Knotts shoots in for a double leg but Royal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Knotts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Royal misses the shot to the body.
Knotts fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Knotts on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Knotts throws the kick towards the body but Royal avoids it.
Shiro Royal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knotts misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knotts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Royal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Knotts.
Knotts shoots in for a takedown but Royal shows good takedown defense.
Royal connects with a high kick.
Royal lands with a straight right. Knotts didn't see that one coming.

Don Knotts's cut is getting worse.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Royal moves into range and connects with a jab.
Knotts takes one to the chin there.
Knotts steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Royal.
Royal throws a right and a left that Knotts avoids nicely.
Knotts uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Royal.
Royal avoids the head kick by Knotts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knotts misses with a hook
letting Royal counter with a right hand.
Knotts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Knotts throws an off balance right hand
and Royal counters with an outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shiro Royal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Don Knotts's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Royal tries a head kick but it misses.
Knotts misses with a body kick.
Good work by Knotts as he checks the leg kick.
Knotts is trying hard to land a takedown here. Royal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That kick from Royal tenderised Knotts's leg. Knotts is trying to keep his angry face on.
Royal scores with a head kick.
Royal tries a low kick but Knotts avoids it.
Royal thumps Knotts with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Royal.
Good shot there by Royal.
Royal has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Knotts.
Knotts avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
That kick from Royal tenderised Knotts's leg. Knotts is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Royal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Knotts misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Royal tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Royal lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Royal fails to land with a series of punches.
Shiro Royal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Knotts avoids the head kick by Royal.
Knotts throws a half hearted mid kick.
Knotts throws a wild body kick that Royal sees coming a mile off.
Royal throws a low kick but Knotts avoids it.
Knotts misses with a body kick.
Knotts scores with a punch to the head.
Nice body kick there by Knotts.
Knotts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Royal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Royal thows a leg kick but Knotts checks it
and Knotts makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Royal will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shiro Royal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knotts thows a left - swing and a miss!
Knotts takes a swing at Royal's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knotts throws the kick towards the body but Royal avoids it.
Knotts pushes Royal away with a front kick.
Knotts slips a straight right by Royal.
Royal scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Knotts takes a kick to the side of the head.

Don Knotts's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Knotts misses with an attempted mid kick.
Royal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Knotts counters with an outside leg kick.
Knotts throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Knotts lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Royal moves out of range of the body kick.
Knotts just misses with a punch to the body.
Royal misses with a body shot.
Knotts goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Royal lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knotts on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Royal throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Royal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Royal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Royal swats away the attempt to clinch by Knotts.
Knotts with a nice cross.
Knotts keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Royal.
Royal moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Royal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Royal wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Knotts. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Knotts rushes Royal and presses him up against the cage.
Royal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Royal tries to break the clinch but Knotts is controlling the position.
Knotts has Royal pressed against the cage, preventing Royal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Knotts blocking some punches.
Knotts scores with a shoulder strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Knotts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Royal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knotts walks into a jab.
Knotts looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Royal tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Royal attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Royal throws the left hand but Knotts avoids the punch easily.
Royal lands a really nice looking cross but Knotts seems unphased.
Royal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Knotts is out of range and Royal settles back down.
Knotts avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Knotts misses with a straight right.
Knotts throws a hook to the side of Royal's head but Royal sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knotts misses with a kick to the body.
Knotts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Royal swivels and escapes.
Royal throws a head kick that misses
and Knotts counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shiro Royal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Royal has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shiro Royal!