PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Athos Knox (ranked 282 p4p, 887 weight class) and Frank Diaz (ranked 34 p4p, 125 weight class). Knox's entrance music is Click Click Boom | Saliva. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Knox
vs
Diaz

185 cm
35
187
24 - 15 - 2

188 cm
32
184
13 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Fast

SynCity Fightwear
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Athos Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knox shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Knox clobbers Diaz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Frank Diaz has been cut.

Diaz shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knox keeps working.
Knox tries to roll over but Diaz keeps him under control.
Knox wants to sweep but Diaz has passed to side control!
Knox definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Who's going to make the next move?
Knox is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Diaz throwing strikes but Knox manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Knox wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Diaz 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox tries to stand but Diaz is controlling his head.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Knox avoids the strikes from the bottom by Diaz.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz tries to bench press Knox off him but Knox keeps the position.
Diaz wants to control but Knox postures up.
Diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Knox keeps moving and retains side control.
Diaz is still trying to improve position.
Knox is looking to take a break and control but Diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaz tries to buck Knox off but Knox is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Diaz gets back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Knox in particular looking to stall.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
Diaz 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!
Knox trying to control but not successfully.
Knox can't escape the position.
Diaz is not going to allow Knox to sit and survive in this position.
Knox is in bad spot here.
Diaz avoiding Knox 's attempts to control his hands.
I really don't envy Knox right now.

Diaz is persistently looking for the submission but Knox is defending it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knox preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Diaz.
Knox knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Diaz on the ground.

Diaz is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Knox tries to escape the position.
Knox is working hard here to advance position.

Diaz is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Knox with him. Knox is trying to defend but Diaz has an arm under the chin now! Knox grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frank Diaz!
Frank Diaz took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.
Athos Knox was interviewed post fight and said '"If you haven't lost in this sport, you haven't fought the right guys yet." (Matt Hughes)'.