PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bishop Deacon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Knox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Deacon's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, You Raise me Up by Josh Groban. Knox has chosen Something I Can Never Have as his entrance music. Knox has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. 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.

Deacon
vs
Knox

173 cm
26
166 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

176 cm
24
163 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bishop Deacon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mickey Knox!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Knox changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Deacon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Deacon is trying to get back to half guard.
Knox in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Deacon 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.
Deacon sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Deacon is controlling Knox's trapped leg to prevent Knox from advancing to side control.
Deacon tries to get to full guard but Knox has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Deacon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Deacon trying to keep a closed guard but Knox is proving a slippery customer.

Deacon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Knox doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Knox manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Knox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Deacon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Deacon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deacon is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Deacon lands with a punch from half guard.
Deacon is thwarting Knox's attempts to control the position.

Knox looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Deacon is keen to just control but Knox is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Knox has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Deacon is working away from the top position though.
Deacon perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

We're going to have a standup here because Bishop Deacon wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Knox shoots in and bounces Deacon off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Knox trying to control the position from guard on top but Deacon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Deacon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Knox is one step ahead there.
Knox trying to control the position from guard on top but Deacon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Deacon controlling Knox's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mickey Knox.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Knox checks a leg kick.
Deacon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Knox stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Knox wants it to stay on the feet.
Knox has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Deacon.
Deacon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Knox tries to avoid it but Deacon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Knox to the ground. Knox escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Deacon goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A head kick from Deacon lands but Knox takes it in his stride.
Deacon shoots in looking for a takedown but Knox manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Deacon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Deacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Deacon is defended easily by Knox.
No joy there for Deacon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Deacon. Knox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bishop Deacon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Deacon connects with a solid leg kick.

Knox gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knox working away.
Deacon gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Deacon is trying to get back to full guard.
Deacon 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 tries to break free.
Knox looks gassed!
Deacon tries to keep control of the position but Knox is staying busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deacon lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Knox hold on?!
Deacon lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knox trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Deacon dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Deacon sizes up Knox with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Deacon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Knox to the mat! Knox manages to get full guard.
Knox has momentary wrist control but Deacon slips an elbow through the middle.
Deacon in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Knox is looking for a triangle but Deacon pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Deacon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Deacon working some strikes from top position.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Deacon from controlling successfully.

Deacon has gone for a leg lock! Knox slips out almost immediately though and dives into Deacon's guard.
Deacon trying to keep a closed guard but Knox is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Deacon working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Knox has passed into half guard!
The fighters are battling for position here. Deacon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Deacon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Deacon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Deacon keeping moving, preventing Knox from controlling successfully.
Knox loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Deacon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Knox passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Knox is working away from the top position though.
Deacon is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Knox is trying to work for a kimura but Deacon is defending well.
Deacon trying to control here.
Deacon is not content to let Knox control the position.

Knox is looking for a kimura but Deacon is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Knox to get the leverage.
Knox is breathing heavily.
Deacon preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deacon is pressing down on Knox's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Deacon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Knox sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Deacon's guard.
Deacon is looking to control Knox's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Deacon avoid being mounted?
Knox wants to control but Deacon is keeping him busy.
Deacon trying to control from the bottom.

Knox is working for a kimura but Deacon is defending it quite comfortably.

Deacon actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deacon tries to roll over but Knox keeps him under control.
Knox is looking to take a break and control but Deacon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Deacon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Deacon gets back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knox trying to control but Deacon is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Deacon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knox sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Knox connects with a crisp jab.
Deacon fails with the takedown.
Deacon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Knox.
Deacon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Deacon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Knox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Deacon.
Deacon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Knox defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Deacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knox lunges at Deacon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Deacon's hand.
Knox connects with a single shot there.
Sloppy strikes from Knox. Those never looked like landing.
Knox takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Deacon lands a nice shot that snaps Knox's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deacon has a takedown stuffed.
Deacon punishes Knox's body with a nice straight punch.
A punch combination from Deacon misses.
A jab from Deacon finds it's way through Knox's defenses.
Deacon lunges at Knox with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Knox's hand.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Deacon was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.

Knox shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Knox showed some decent athleticism there.
Knox is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Deacon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Knox pulls his head out easily.
Deacon regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Deacon keeping full guard, as Knox tries to pass.
Knox postures up in Deacon's guard and throws a big left but Deacon blocks it.

Deacon 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knox scoring with some ground and pound.
Mickey Knox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Deacon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Deacon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Deacon is trying to control the position but Knox postures up.
Knox landing some decent shots from guard.
Deacon keeping full guard, as Knox tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deacon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Knox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Deacon is looking for a triangle but Knox pushes his legs off easily.
Knox with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bishop Deacon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knox working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Deacon's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Deacon is on top in guard.
Knox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Deacon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knox has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Deacon has managed to get both his arms back between Knox's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Knox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Deacon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Deacon seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Knox for as long as he can get away with.

Knox escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Deacon gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Deacon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Deacon from controlling successfully.

We're going to have a standup here because Bishop Deacon wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Deacon is defended easily by Knox.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bishop Deacon.
Well Deacon has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bishop Deacon!
Bishop Deacon seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.