PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam James (ranked 2343 p4p, 334 weight class) and Riley Knox (ranked 2124 p4p, 314 weight class). James comes to the cage accompanied by Come To Daddy by Aphex Twin. Riley Knox has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Liam James's chin.

James
vs
Knox

190 cm
21
215 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
216 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Liam James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Riley Knox!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for James.
James looks to throw the jab but Knox is out of range.
Knox now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
James listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
James lands with an overhand left.
James scores with a jab.
Knox connects with the punch.
Knox throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
James uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knox.
A slow jab from Knox misses its intended target.
James swings for the body but Knox moves out of range.
James throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Knox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knox prevents James from breaking the clinch.
Knox cracks James with a nice body shot.
James tries to circle away but Knox has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.

It looks like Liam James has been cut.
Knox landing knees to the body.
James is breathing heavily.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knox lands a knee to the body.
Knox lands with a left to the head.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
Knox landing knees to the body.
I was talking to James's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
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!
Knox landing knees to the head.
A right hand to the body from Knox.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt James or not.
A knee to the head by Knox.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Knox lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Knox.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox landing knees to the body.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knox makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Knox.
James is trying to break the clinch but Knox is controlling him.
Knox putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Knox.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Knox lands a knee to the body.
Knox scores with a shot to the side of James's head.
Knox works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Knox lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
Knees to the body from Knox.
Knees in the clinch landing for Knox.
A body shot lands from Knox.
Knox working James over with knees to the body.
Knox landing knees to the body.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knox is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.
Knox lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knox lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox connects with a knee to the head.
Knox lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Knox has double underhooks.
Knees to the body from Knox.
Knox lands with a light punch inside.
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.
Knox putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Knox.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Knox dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam James's cut.
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.

Knox's corner calls for a 1-2. Knox obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Knox throws a shot from downtown. James moves away and avoids it.

Knox gets a clinch.
Knox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knox lands a right hand.
Knox working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Knox.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Knox obliges.
Knox pushes James back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Knox working James over with knees to the body.
Knox putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knox connects with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knox lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from Knox.
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Knox.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knox landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knox connects with a knee to the head.
Knox landing knees to the body.
A short right from Knox on the inside.
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.
A short left from Knox.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knox landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Knox.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knox digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knox lands a knee to the body.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Knox scores with a nice short uppercut.
Knox crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
A nice left hand lands by Knox.
Knox digs a right hand underneath James's ribcage. James let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Knox digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.
Knox with a knee to the head.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Riley Knox seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knox lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox connects with a knee to the head.
James tries to break the clinch but Knox is controlling the position.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Knox lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knox tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Knox creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James tries to circle away but Knox has him pinned against the cage.
James is trying to break the clinch but Knox is controlling him.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Knox has double underhooks.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
A short left from Knox.
Knox landing knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Knox.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James takes a shot to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Knox.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Knox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam James's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Liam James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Knox on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Knox pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knox landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knox digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.
Knox digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Knox.
Knox working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Knox is working James over against the cage.
Knox scores with a shot to the side of James's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hand to the body from Knox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
Knox is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knox lands with a right to the head.
Knox landing knees to the body.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short right from Knox.
Knox scores with a hook to the body.
Knox is working James over against the cage.
Knox lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox lands a knee to the head.
James is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
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!
Knox lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down James.
Knox scores a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knox lands a shot to the body.
Knox connects with a knee to the head.
Knox lands with a left to the head.
Knox is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knox connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Knox obliges.
Knox working James over with knees to the body.
Knox landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knox lands a knee to the body.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
James is trying to maintain a safe position but Knox gets an underhook and turns James into the cage.
Knox landing knees to the body.
Knox utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox presses James against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knox is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knox working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knox scores with a knee to the head.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
Knox working James over with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Knox.
A knee to the head by Knox.
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James tries to break free but Knox pushes him back against the cage.
Knox unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A short body shot lands from Knox as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knox lands a nice knee to the body.
Knox is working James over against the cage.
Knox scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Knox lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.
Knox is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knox using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
James takes a knee to the side of the body.
Riley Knox is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knox scores with a shoulder strike.
James is trying to break the clinch but Knox has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Knox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
Liam James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James misses with a few strikes there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riley Knox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Knox winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 25:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 24:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riley Knox!
A relieved looking Riley Knox thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Liam James spoke after the fight, saying 'No one likes seeing their opponent's hand raised, but that just means that they were the better man today. My team at 3Band MMA and I will break down this match and make the proper changes for my next camp.'.