William Knight Reacts to Listless UFC Fight Night 219 Performance: ‘I Froze Up’

William Knight’s performance at UFC Fight Night 219 was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

The heavily-muscled light heavyweight attempted just 33 significant strikes — landing eight — while being picked apart at range by Marcin Prachnio in a unanimous decision defeat on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. For the majority of the bout, Knight was simply unwilling to engage, and that allowed Prachnio to control the distance, most notably with a steady diet of low kicks.

After the loss, Knight reacted to the fight in a video on his Instagram account. He didn’t offer any excuses for an effort that resulted in his third consecutive UFC defeat.

“At the end of the day, I went out there, froze up, I didn’t do my part, I lost the fight,” Knight said. “Some of y’all want me to win, some of y’all bet on me, I understand. I completely get it. In life, human beings aren’t perfect, but I’m taking ownership of my actions because I didn’t do s—t. I stood there, I froze, and I take full responsibility.”

Knight said he understands why people might be upset after watching him, but he also thanked those who are sticking by him during his struggles.

“I know what I must do for my next fight,” Knight said. “I understand this crazy inbox of threats, all of these inboxes of disrespect — I get it. Y’all have a right to be angry. I read some messages [of people] threatening my life, talking crazy, saying I don’t belong in the UFC, all of that stuff, but when I was undefeated for three years, you were riding the wave.

“At the end of the day, I have my legit fans, my legit people, I have you guys. For the rest of you that are just here for the ride to watch me fall, you got what you wanted. I get it. I’m good. I’m not bothered by it.”

Knight earned a UFC contract with a victory over Cody Brundage on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. He began his promotional tenure with victories in three of his first four appearances before his current losing streak. The 34-year-old Hartford, Conn., native could be facing an uncertain future with the organization going forward.

“I can’t win them all [and] I didn’t even try my best, so I won’t say I tried my best,” Knight said. “I made it out there, I f—ing touched gloves, and I made it my three rounds. I froze up, I f—ed up, I lost, and what comes with it, comes with it. All of the people talking crap, I accept it. All of the people showing love, I accept it. At the end of the day, you can’t please everyone.”

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