PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Faaloua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Knope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Knope has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Faaloua
vs
Knope

195 cm
26
265 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

198 cm
23
250 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Faaloua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Knope!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Faaloua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Knope.
Faaloua lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Faaloua instigates a clinch.
Faaloua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Faaloua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Knope tries to stall but Faaloua uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Faaloua is pushing Knope up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua lands an elbow inside that Knope shrugs off.
Our sources have told us that Faaloua has been working on his elbows in the gym.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knope is trying to stall.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
Faaloua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Knope's defenses.

It looks like Ben Knope has been cut.
Knope misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knope dodges an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Knope trying to stall but Faaloua improves his position.
Faaloua stalling.
Faaloua tries to stall but Knope uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Faaloua has Knope pressed against the cage, preventing Knope from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Faaloua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Faaloua avoiding damage.
Knope avoids the elbow strike from Faaloua, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Knope avoids a wild elbow strike from Faaloua.
Knope tries to score a body lock takedown but Faaloua shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've been informed that Knope has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knope stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Knope is working for takedown but Faaloua is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knope takes an elbow to the temple.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
Faaloua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Faaloua.
Knope doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knope avoids the elbow strike from Faaloua, against the cage.

Knope breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Knope shoots for a double leg takedown but Faaloua sprawls well. He's pushed Knope's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
James Faaloua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Knope.
Faaloua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Knope paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Knope misses with a double jab
and Faaloua counters with a good low kick that Knope was not able to check.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faaloua walks into a left hand.
James Faaloua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Faaloua has managed to clinch.
Knope avoids a wild elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Knope takes an elbow to the forehead.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Knope pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Faaloua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knope throws a lazy right hand but Faaloua sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Faaloua misses with a head kick.
Faaloua sets himself, and Knope steps forward looking for the clinch! Faaloua avoids it this time.
Jab by Knope.
Faaloua darts in trying to clinch
and Knope cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faaloua wants to clinch.
Knope doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Knope waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Faaloua.
Knope throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Faaloua tries to clinch but Knope is having none of it.

Faaloua has managed to clinch.
Knope avoiding damage.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it misses.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Faaloua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Knope's cut.
That's time! Faaloua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Knope throws a series of punches but Faaloua moves out of range.
Knope fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Faaloua on the side of the head.

It looks like James Faaloua has been cut.
Faaloua tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Knope counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Faaloua is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Knope.
James Faaloua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knope throws an off balance right hand
and Faaloua counters with a nice body kick.
Faaloua tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It seemed like Knope was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Knope throws a leg kick
and Faaloua counters with a nice body kick.

Faaloua closes the distance and pushes Knope back into the cage.
Faaloua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knope can do to turn this around?
Faaloua content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua leaning against his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knope dodges an elbow strike from Faaloua.
With the fighters up against the cage, Faaloua throws an elbow but misses.
Faaloua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Knope's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Faaloua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knope is trying to force a seperation but Faaloua has the dominant position.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Faaloua lands a damaging elbow.
Knope avoids a wild elbow strike from Faaloua.
Nice elbow from Faaloua.
Faaloua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Knope's defenses.
Faaloua gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
Knope avoids a wild elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Faaloua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knope trying to stall but Faaloua improves his position.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Faaloua misses with an elbow strike.
Knope avoids a wild elbow strike from Faaloua.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Faaloua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Knope blocks the elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Faaloua throws an elbow but misses.
Faaloua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Knope is working for takedown but Faaloua is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knope controlling the action here for a moment.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Faaloua slowing the pace effectively.
Knope looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Faaloua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Knope misses with a punch on the inside.
Faaloua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Knope stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Faaloua lands an elbow just above Knope 's eye.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Faaloua just leaning against Knope, taking a breather.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faaloua pushes off an throws an elbow but Knope leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Knope can't break the clinch.
Faaloua controlling the action here for a moment.
Faaloua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Faaloua has Knope pushed against the cage.
Knope wants to break the clinch but can't.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Faaloua dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Faaloua lands a big head kick that sends Knope tumbling to the mat! Faaloua takes a step backwards and waves Knope back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Faaloua wants to clinch up but Knope keeps it at a distance.
Faaloua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Knope gets tackled into the cage by Faaloua. Faaloua maintains the clinch.
Knope takes an elbow to the temple.

Knope is rocked!
With the fighters up against the cage, Faaloua throws an elbow but misses.
Knope is still on wobbly legs! Can Faaloua finish him?
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Knope stalling against the cage.
Faaloua misses with an elbow strike.
Knope seems to have recovered his senses.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Knope tries to stall but Faaloua uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Faaloua misses with an elbow strike.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
Knope misses with a hook to the ribs.
Faaloua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Faaloua pushes off an throws an elbow but Knope leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faaloua throws an elbow but it misses.
Faaloua prevents a takedown attempt there.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Knope wants to stall.

Knope manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Faaloua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Knope! But no joy.
Faaloua defending well as Knope loads up on a big left hand.
Faaloua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Faaloua lands a big head kick that sends Knope tumbling to the mat! Faaloua takes a step backwards and waves Knope back to his feet - he wants the finish!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faaloua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Faaloua clinches.
Faaloua misses with an elbow over the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Faaloua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Faaloua.
Knope dodges an elbow strike from Faaloua.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
Faaloua is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Knope blocks an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faaloua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Knope's brow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Faaloua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua stalling in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Faaloua throws an elbow but misses.
Faaloua throws an elbow that misses.
Knope blocks an elbow strike from Faaloua.
Faaloua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knope is looking to take this one to the mat.
Knope is pressed against the cage. Faaloua pushes back and unleashes a big elbow that really hurts Knope! Two more big strikes from Faaloua and Knope crumples to the mat and taps out furiously due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). James Faaloua!
After winning the bout, James Faaloua thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.