PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Knuckle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Riot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ricky Riot enters the cage!

Knuckle
vs
Riot

171 cm
21
145 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

171 cm
25
150 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

No Contest Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chuck Knuckle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricky Riot!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Riot is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Knuckle's half guard.
Knuckle wants to improve his position but Riot is controlling well.
Riot is looking to take a break and control but Knuckle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Riot seems to be looking for submissions.
Knuckle looks like he's trying to stand up.
Riot is thwarting Knuckle's attempts to control the position.
Knuckle tries to kick Riot off but Riot keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Knuckle moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Knuckle wants to stand up but Riot is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckle wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Riot manages to pass to side control.

Riot seems to be working for a kimura but Knuckle defends the submission attempt.
Knuckle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riot preventing the sweep.
Riot wants to control from the top but Knuckle keeps moving.
Riot won't allow Knuckle to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riot wants to control from the top but Knuckle keeps moving.
Riot loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riot pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knuckle is keeping the position for now.
Riot wants to control from the top but Knuckle keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ricky Riot was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Knuckle clinches up with Riot and pushes him back against the cage.
Knuckle is pressed up against the cage. Riot has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Knuckle down to the mat. Knuckle avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Knuckle stalks Riot and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Riot's face. Riot staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riot needs to keep his hands up - Knuckle had a free shot at his head there.
Riot shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Knuckle as he jumps to the side.

Knuckle instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riot tries to pull guard but Knuckle won't allow it.
Chuck Knuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Riot.
Knuckle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Riot backwards.
Riot tries to pull guard but Knuckle forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Knuckle is trying to break the clinch but Riot has him pressed against the cage.
Riot tries to pull guard but Knuckle won't allow it.
Riot wants to get back to striking at distance but Knuckle won't allow it.
Knuckle scores with a shoulder strike.
Riot has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Knuckle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Knuckle managing to block the knees to the body from Riot.

Knuckle pulls guard successfully.
Riot preventing the sweep.
Knuckle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Knuckle managing to control the position.
Knuckle wants to stand and escape but Riot is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Riot trying to control but Knuckle is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Knuckle shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Riot napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Knuckle decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Riot tries to clinch but Knuckle moves out of range.
Riot fails with the takedown.
Knuckle lands a right hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knuckle cracks a nice hook into Riot's ribs.
Knuckle connects with a looping right hand.
Knuckle lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Riot fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Knuckle is out of range.
Knuckle scores with a hook.
Chuck Knuckle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Riot walks into a jab.
Knuckle fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Riot tries to clinch up but Knuckle circles away and keeps his distance.
A left and a right from Knuckle both land. Nice combination.
Knuckle looks to land a combination but Riot avoids it well.
Knuckle slaps away a takedown attempt from Riot, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Knuckle lands with a shot to the body.
Knuckle lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knuckle uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Riot has time to react.
Riot has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Knuckle finds it's way round the side to connect with Riot's head.
Knuckle misses with a two punch combination.
Knuckle misses with a few strikes there.

Knuckle closes the distance and clinches.
Knuckle cracks Riot with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Knuckle.
Knuckle lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Riot's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Knuckle working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Riot tries for a takedown but Knuckle manages to get underhooks.

Knuckle is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Riot can't fight it off and eventually Knuckle manages to take the fight to the floor. Riot looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Riot has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Knuckle can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Knuckle wants to get up but he can't break Riot's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Knuckle scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knuckle has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Riot is proving hard to escape from.
Knuckle trying to control but Riot is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Knuckle thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Knuckle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
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!
Knuckle throws a big elbow that misses.
Knuckle is working Riot over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Knuckle would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Riot escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Knuckle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Knuckle with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riot pulls Knuckle in close to prevent any damage.
Knuckle lands a couple of digs.

Knuckle stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Riot fails with the takedown.
Chuck Knuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Riot.
Knuckle stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Chuck Knuckle is winning the standup battle so far.
Riot tries for a takedown but Knuckle circles away easily
and Knuckle counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Knuckle scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Riot wants to sweep but Knuckle has passed to side control!
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!
Riot is looking for a sweep.
Riot is breathing heavily.

Knuckle stands up and beckons Riot to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle scores with a hook.
Riot shoots in looking for a takedown but Knuckle manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Riot's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Riot shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knuckle pinned against the cage. Knuckle gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knuckle scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Knuckle clobbers Riot with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Knuckle throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Knuckle rushes Riot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Knuckle has hold of one of Riot's legs. Riot is fighting the takedown attempt but Knuckle gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knuckle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Knuckle postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Knuckle postures up in Riot's guard and throws a big left but Riot blocks it.
Knuckle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Riot can do to turn this around?
Knuckle throwing strikes from guard but Riot blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Knuckle dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Riot.

Knuckle throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Riot was covering up waiting for the punch and Knuckle finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Knuckle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Riot throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Knuckle trying to control but Riot is working from the bottom.
Knuckle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Riot's head.
Knuckle looking to pass the guard.

Knuckle gets to his feet. Riot looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckle bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Riot's head.
Knuckle moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A nice combination there by Knuckle.

Riot is rocked!

Knuckle drives through and clinches with Riot against the cage.
Knuckle is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Riot blocks a body shot from Knuckle.
Still in the clinch, Knuckle scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Knuckle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Knuckle lands a right hand that snaps the head of Riot backwards.
Riot is still on wobbly legs! Can Knuckle finish him?

Knuckle pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knuckle wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Riot seems to have recovered his senses.
Riot trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riot prevents Knuckle from getting back to his feet.
Riot tries to free his leg and advance position but Knuckle is retaining full guard.
Knuckle controls Riot momentarily but Riot frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chuck Knuckle wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Knuckle defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Riot.
Chuck Knuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Riot.

Knuckle has closed the distance and engaged Riot in a clinch.
A short right from Knuckle on the inside.
Knuckle wants to get back to striking at distance but Riot won't allow it.

Knuckle breaks the clinch.
Knuckle lands a nice hook to Riot's body. Riot takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Knuckle moves into the clinch successfully.
Knuckle digs a right hand into Riot's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Riot's gas tank.
Knuckle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knuckle is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riot breaks from the clinch.
Riot tries for a takedown but Knuckle sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Riot takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Knuckle drives through with a takedown into guard.
Knuckle has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Riot is proving hard to escape from.
Knuckle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riot 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.
Riot keeping full guard, as Knuckle tries to pass.
Riot tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Knuckle postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Knuckle with a nice head shot there.
Knuckle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knuckle wants to control from the top but Riot keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Riot looking for a guillotine here but Knuckle defends easily.

Knuckle stands up and waves to Riot to follow him.
Chuck Knuckle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Riot closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Knuckle 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knuckle wants to control from the top but Riot keeps moving.

Knuckle gets to his feet. Riot looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ricky Riot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Knuckle shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Riot manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Knuckle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Knuckle has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chuck Knuckle!