PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eta Knox (ranked 1733 p4p, 195 weight class) and Ezekiel Ithamar (ranked 3149 p4p, 308 weight class). Knox comes into the arena with David Dallas | Runnin' blaring out of the sound system. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ezekiel Ithamar was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Knox
vs
Ithamar

172 cm
28
146 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

176 cm
31
145 lbs
25 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eta Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ezekiel Ithamar!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Ron Honeybunn and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knox getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Knox lands a jab to Ithamar's midsection.
Ithamar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Knox lands a body shot.
Knox works Ithamar's body with a nice hook.
Ithamar throws a left and a right that both miss

and Knox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Knox.
A right handed body shot lands from Knox.
Knox lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ithamar backwards.
Knox has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ithamar wants to take the fight to the mat but Knox manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ithamar can't get the takedown.
Knox lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Knox - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Ithamar ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ithamar no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox stands and throws Ithamar's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ithamar is letting Knox control him for a moment.
Ithamar wants to control but Knox postures up.
Ithamar is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ithamar tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Ithamar looking for a sweep but Knox has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Knox controlling from the full mount.
Ithamar tries to reverse the position but Knox maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox content just to control the position here.
Knox's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Ithamar sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ithamar is trying to maintain the position but Knox is very close to passing his half guard.
Knox is taking a breather. Ithamar 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.
Ithamar tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ithamar tries to roll over but Knox keeps him under control.
Knox perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ithamar has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Ithamar looking for submissions off his back.
Ithamar wants to control but Knox is keeping busy.

Ithamar is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Knox pulls his head out easily.

Ithamar looking for submissions off his back.
Ithamar has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Ithamar trying to control here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ithamar is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Knox's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Knox's back!
I really don't envy Knox right now.
Well, with Ithamar on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Knox is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox trying to control the hands but Ithamar breaks the grip.

Knox defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Ithamar is looking for a rear naked choke here but Knox reverses the position brilliantly into Ithamar's guard!
Knox has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Knox not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Further stalling from Knox.

Ithamar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eta Knox dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Knox looks to land a right hand but Ithamar moved out of range.
Ithamar takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ithamar loads up on a big right hand but Knox slips the punch.
Ithamar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ithamar with a poor takedown
and Knox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Knox with a nice cross.
Knox thuds a left hand into Ithamar's body.
Ithamar cracks Knox with an open hand slap.
Knox is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ithamar can do to turn this around?
Ithamar dives in for a single leg takedown but Knox sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Knox was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Eta Knox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezekiel Ithamar.
Ithamar takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Ithamar shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ithamar is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knox 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox is trying to control the position but Ithamar postures up.

Ithamar drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Knox dives on top into guard.

Knox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ithamar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Knox has managed to get both his arms back between Ithamar's legs - danger averted.
Knox is pushing down on Ithamar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ithamar is fighting to maintain full guard but Knox has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ithamar wants to get back to full guard.
Knox is taking a breather. Ithamar 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.
Ithamar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Knox stopping the sweep attempt from Ithamar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar controls Knox momentarily but Knox frees himself.

Ithamar has his foot on Knox's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Knox works his way back into a safe position though.
Ithamar keeping full guard, as Knox tries to pass.
Knox sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knox throws a hook but Ithamar blocks it.
Donk. Knox catches Ithamar right on the button with a cross.
Ithamar looks to land a combination but Knox avoids it well.
Ithamar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Ithamar closes the distance and clinches.
Knox lands a body shot in the clinch.

Knox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knox jabs at Ithamar's body.
Ithamar doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ezekiel Ithamar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar shoots in for a takedown but Knox shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Knox seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ithamar takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ithamar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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!
Ithamar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Knox as he jumps to the side.
Knox lands a slapping body shot.
Eta Knox is winning the standup battle so far.
Knox connects with a single shot there.
Knox slips a jab and a cross from Ithamar.
Knox lands with a cross.
Knox misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Knox cracks a nice hook into Ithamar's ribs.
Knox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Knox slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eta Knox dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Knox ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Knox swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ithamar.
Ithamar doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Knox counters with a nice uppercut.
Ithamar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Knox dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Ithamar gets a clinch.
Knox just leaning against Ithamar, taking a breather.

Knox breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox lands with a good body shot.
Ithamar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Knox defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ithamar misses with a hook
and Knox counters with a stiff right hand.
A cross from Knox lands.
A jab from Knox does it's job there.
Eta Knox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ithamar shoots and misses
and Knox makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Eta Knox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezekiel Ithamar.
Ithamar with a poor takedown
letting Knox counter with a right hand.
Ithamar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Knox lands a slapping body shot.
Ithamar goes for a double leg but Knox avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Knox continues to drive forward.
Knox throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ithamar walks into a stiff left hand from Knox.

Ithamar is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knox shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ithamar eats them both and turns towards Knox to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ithamar is still on wobbly legs! Can Knox finish him?
Knox feints a jab promting Ithamar to slip. Knox then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ithamar slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ithamar has his takedown stuffed
letting Knox counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ithamar there as he acknowledges the shot.
Knox lands a body shot.
Ithamar fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ithamar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The fighters circle momentarily. Knox darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Knox clobbers Ithamar with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Knox smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice uppercut lands for Ithamar. That snapped Knox's head back.
Knox lands with a straight right. Ithamar didn't see that one coming.
Ithamar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ezekiel Ithamar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ithamar takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Knox stuns Ithamar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ezekiel Ithamar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ithamar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ithamar shoots in and drives through. Knox sprawls well.
Knox was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ithamar seems to have recovered his senses.
Ithamar has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Knox lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ithamar falls off balance throwing a combination
and Knox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ithamar scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ithamar with a lazy takedown attempt
and Knox counters with a left to the body.
Knox lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ithamar at a distance.
Knox lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ithamar shoots and misses
enabling Knox to counter with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knox jabs Ithamar to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Knox drops Ithamar with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Ithamar looks back up at him and smiles so Knox waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Knox punishes Ithamar's body with a nice straight punch.
Ithamar misses with a looping right.

Knox lands a left and a right that send Ithamar crashing to the mat, dazed. Knox thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Knox closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Ithamar! Knox dives in looking to finish! Ithamar is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eta Knox!
During a confident post fight interview, Eta Knox thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.