PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Stampfer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Knuckles
vs
Stampfer

190 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

198 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paul Stampfer!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Stampfer does no damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Stampfer misses the target.
Stampfer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Knuckles can pounce on him.
Knuckles shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knuckles misses with a takedown attempt - Stampfer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knuckles tries to clinch up.
Knuckles has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg in the buildup to the fight.
Paul Stampfer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stampfer jabs Knuckles right on the nose. Knuckles blinks but takes it well.
Knuckles tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stampfer jabs Knuckles right on the nose. Knuckles blinks but takes it well.
Knuckles fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stampfer looks to land a left hand but Knuckles moved out of range nicely.
Stampfer looks to land a left hand but Knuckles moved out of range nicely.
Stampfer lands the left hand.
Knuckles changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stampfer tries to avoid it but Knuckles manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stampfer to the ground. Stampfer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stampfer drops Knuckles with a big left hand and mounts him. Knuckles is in big trouble!

Knuckles is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knuckles is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Oh Knuckles is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stampfer content just to control the position here.
Stampfer wants to stand but Knuckles is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stampfer takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Knuckles seems to have got his legs back now.
Knuckles wants to hold on but Stampfer pushes him away.
Stampfer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Knuckles. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stampfer looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knuckles is trying to escape the mount.
Stampfer has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA St Petersburg. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Stampfer controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Let's hope that Stampfer has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Knuckles wants to hold on but Stampfer pushes him away.
Knuckles can't escape the position.
Stampfer controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles regains half guard.
Stampfer seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stampfer slows the pace down in half guard.
Knuckles misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Stampfer scores with a jab to the jaw.
Knuckles tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knuckles keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stampfer throws a big shot that misses.
Knuckles shoots for a double leg takedown but Stampfer sprawls well. He's pushed Knuckles's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stampfer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab, jab by Stampfer - just one landing.
Stampfer connects with a body shot that sends Knuckles's belly button to the back.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Stampfer stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stampfer throws an overhand right that drops Knuckles like a sack of potatoes! Stampfer dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul Stampfer!