PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aleks Nik (ranked 52 p4p, 465 weight class) and Porthos Knox (ranked 7 p4p, 65 weight class). Nik comes to the cage accompanied by Ноггано - стволок за поясок. Knox has chosen One Step Closer | Linkin Park as his entrance music. Aleks Nik has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nik
vs
Knox

178 cm
36
171
22 - 12 - 1

177 cm
41
175
28 - 22 - 4

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleks Nik!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 22 - 4, fighting out of Amsterdam, Porthos Knox!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knox throws out a loose jab but Nik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nik lands a lovely overhand right.
Knox fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Knox moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Porthos Knox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nik tests Knox's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nik uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knox.
We've been hearing reports that Nik has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Knox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nik sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Knox takes the fight into the clinch.
Nik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Nik as the two fighters clinch.
A shot in the inside from Nik.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice body punch from Knox.
Knox looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nik scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Knox moves into the clinch.

Nik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nik fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands a jab to the head.
Knox bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knox misses with a right hand
and Nik counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Knox. Those never looked like landing.
Knox misses with a two punch combination.
Nik swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nik misses with a hook. Knox ducked under it nicely.
Nik moves out of range as Knox strikes.
The crowd cheers as Knox lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nik doesn't seem phased though.
Porthos Knox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nik closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nik closes this distance looking for a takedown but Knox circles away.
Nik closes the distance and clinches up with Knox, looking for a takedown. Nik pushes Knox against the cage but Knox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Nik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knox misses with a few strikes there.
Nik thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice straight punches there by Knox. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Knox.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nik tries to bum rush Knox with a series of wild strikes but Knox uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Knox scores with a sloppy right hand. Nik should have avoided that one.
Nik fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nik shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knox pinned against the cage. Knox gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knox uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nik.
Knox swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Knox throws a jab but it's blocked by Nik.
Nik drops down looking for a counter takedown but Knox sprawls and moves away.
Knox might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A combination from Knox does no damage.
Nik appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Knox wants to clinch but Nik slips to the side
and Nik counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Knox on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nik works Knox's body with a nice hook.
A head kick misses from Knox.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Knox, as that shot connected.
Nik looks to land a combination but Knox avoids it well.
Knox tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Nik counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik shoots for a takedown but Knox saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knox on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Knox throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knox ducks under a wild hook from Nik.
Knox lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nik shoots in for a takedown but Knox shows good takedown defense.
Knox throws a head kick but Nik moves out of range.
Nik tries to counter with a takedown but Knox is quick to defend against it.
Nik defending well as Knox loads up on a big left hand.
No joy there for Nik, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knox.
Knox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nik was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nik shoots in looking for a takedown. Knox tries to sprawl out of it but Nik keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knox manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Knox is looking to clinch but Nik is avoiding it.
Knox misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Nik is just out of range.
Knox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nik.
Knox swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nik counters with a right hand to the body.
Nik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nik manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nik looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knox takes a swing at Nik's ribcage but misses.
Knox scores with a decent looking hook.
Nik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Knox's waist but Knox gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nik off to one side.
Nik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knox slips under a jab from Nik.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knox with a hook.
Nik misses with a hook.
Nik ducks right into an uppercut from Knox.
Knox is looking to clinch but Nik is avoiding it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nik throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Knox on the side of the head.
Nik looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knox is fending him off so far but Nik persists. Nope, Knox circles away and we're back to standing.
Knox loads up on a big right hand but Nik slips the punch.

Nik drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Knox parries the strikes from Nik easily there. Nik is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Knox to escape.
Knox seems a little lost for a moment, as Nik dominates the positioning.
Nik lands an elbow.
A lull in the action here as Nik stalls from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nik is controlling him well.
Knox is not content to let Nik control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik is putting a hurting on Knox here, landing some big shots from side control.
Knox is being controlled here.
Nik tries to move into full mount but can't pass Knox's legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knox is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nik remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Nik lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Knox is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nik is controlling him well.
Knox is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nik scores with a couple of short elbows.
Nik tries to advance to mount but can't.
Knox is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nik has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Nik in side control lands a decent elbow.
Nik looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Knox is avoiding damage well.
Nik works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Knox is trying to buck Nik off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nik tries to score with some ground and pound. Knox controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Nik controls the position.
Nik'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.
Nik is chipping away with strikes.
A lull in the action here.
Nik scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox wants to get back to his feet but Nik is dominant here and he's now got Knox's back!
Nik wants to control the position but Knox frees himself and scrambles - Nik manages to regain control in side control.
Nik working the head and body with strikes.
Knox is not content to let Nik control the position.
Knox taking a bit of punishment here - Nik scoring with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knox pushes Nik away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nik gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Nik scores with punches from side control.
Nik takes a little break here. Knox wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nik walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Knox missing with a left hand there. Nik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nik swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nik lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Knox goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Knox throws a jab when Nik was well out of range.
Nik blocks a jab.
Nik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Knox swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nik gets a double leg takedown into Knox's guard.
Nik is stalling in the full guard.
Knox is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nik is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nik has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Nik postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nik controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.
Nik keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knox's head.
Aleks Nik overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
Nik is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nik wants to control from the top but Knox keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knox misses with a hook.
Knox misses the jab.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nik.
Knox connects with a single shot there.
Knox throws a big shot that misses.
Nik shoots in for a double leg but Knox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nik misses the body punch
and Nik takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Knox misses with a looping right.
Nik drops down looking for a counter takedown but Knox sprawls and moves away.
A combination from Knox does no damage.
Knox throws a left and a right that both miss

so Nik counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Knox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nik prevents Knox from getting back to his feet.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Knox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nik is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nik scoring with some ground and pound.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Knox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Knox wants to stand and escape but Nik is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knox throws a jab when Nik was well out of range.
Nik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Nik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knox misses with the combination.
Nik appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Knox slips a jab from Nik.
Knox fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nik on the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knox scores with a jab. Nik acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Knox misses with a hook. Nik ducked under it nicely.
Nik half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Knox misses with a hook.
Nik walks into a stiff left hand from Knox.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Porthos Knox really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nik slips under a jab.
Knox scores with a nice strike.
Knox throws a lazy right hand but Nik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nik is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Knox waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nik.
Nik tries to counter with a takedown but Knox is quick to defend against it.
Knox misses with an uppercut. Nik saw that one coming.
A left and a right from Knox both land. Nice combination.
Porthos Knox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Nik was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Knox.
Knox throws a lazy uppercut

and Nik counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Knox!
Nik has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nik trying to control the action but Knox is working from the bottom.
Knox is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nik has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Nik.
Knox is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nik has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Nik working the body and head with strikes.
Knox is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nik connects with a decent elbow.
Nik working the ground and pound.
A lull in the action here.
Nik lands some shots froms side control.
Nik trying to control the position but Knox is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nik cracks Knox with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nik lands a few punches from side control.
Knox takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nik is trying to move to mount but Knox reverses beautifully and ends up in Nik's guard.
Nik wants to sweep but no luck.
Nik has Knox pulled in close to control his posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nik is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik trying to control but Knox is working from the bottom.
Nik stands up over Knox, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nik is in close to Knox's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nik wants to control from the top but Knox keeps moving.
Knox wants to get back to his feet but Nik is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nik trying to move into half guard but instead Knox has managed to sweep!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik seems keen to control Knox's posture.
Nik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Knox is one step ahead there.
Nik is pulling down on Knox's head to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Aleks Nik will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nik's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A jab from Knox misses.
Knox misses with a straight right.
An attempted straight right counter from Nik misses the target.
Nik drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nik ducks under a wild hook from Knox.

Nik tries to keep at a distance but Knox has taken the fight into the clinch.
Knox blocking some punches.

Nik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Knox scores with a hook to the body. Nik takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Knox misses with a straight right.
A telegraphed right hand from Nik misses the target.
Knox tries to counter with a clinch but Nik shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox misses with a two punch combination.
Knox slips under a jab from Nik.
Knox looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A big left from Nik misses.
Knox misses with a lunging right hand
letting Nik counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Knox avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nik looks to land a left hand but Knox moved out of range nicely.
Nik slips a jab and a cross from Knox.
Knox feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Niks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Knox throws the left hand but Nik avoids the punch easily.
Knox lands a lovely overhand right.
Nik blocks a jab.
Knox missing with a left hand there. Nik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knox takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nik lands a really nice looking cross but Knox seems unphased.
Knox is looking to clinch.
Nik went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Knox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nik.
Nik scores with a jab. Knox acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Nik. Knox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Knox slips under a jab from Nik.
Knox tries to clinch there but Nik circles away.
Nik dodges the punch combination from Knox.
Knox connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Knox misses with a hook
and Nik counters with a nice uppercut.
Nik missing with a left hand there. Knox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knox throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nik counters with a straight right hand.
Knox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nik moves away.
Knox takes one on the button.
Knox fails to land with a series of punches.
Knox looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Knox works Nik's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox looks to land a left hand but Nik moved out of range nicely.
Knox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nik.
Knox thows a left - swing and a miss!
A punch lands to the side of Knox 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Knox ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Knox takes a swing at Nik's ribcage but misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Nik misses its target.
Knox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knox throws a hook to the side of Nik's head but Nik sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nik throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Knox sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nik looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Knox connects with the punch.
Knox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nik.
Knox drops his hands momentarily and Nik takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox leaves Nik with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Knox connects with the punch.
Knox scores with a one two! Nik had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knox throws a nice looking combination but Nik bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nik jabs at Knox's body.
Knox throws a lazy right hand but Nik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Knox throws a big shot that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Knox.

Nik looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Nik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Porthos Knox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Knox has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Porthos Knox!
Porthos Knox is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Porthos Knox made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.