Maksims Pilko, 22 and of Bournemouth, had been charged with attempted murder on Richmond Hill on February 24.
He had been facing trial at Bournemouth Crown Court for attempted murder, assault by beating and possession of a knife.
It was stated that Pilko decided to change his plea only minutes before the jury was sent out, pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an article with a blade or point and assault by beating.
Prosecutor, Russell Pyne, told the court that a couple were heading home from a night out at around 7pm, when Pilko verbally assaulted the woman.
It is alleged that after she responded, the defendant punched and pushed the woman causing her to fall to the ground.
The woman’s boyfriend said he stepped in to defend her and punched Pilko.
In response, Pilko is accused of ‘stabbing the man repeatedly’.
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However, the defendant told the court that it was the woman who first shouted and swore at him, before spitting in his face.
After swearing at the woman, Pilko said he was suddenly struck from behind.
He said the woman’s boyfriend punched him constantly to the face, even after Pilko asked him to leave him alone.
The defendant said that during the fight a knife fell out of the man’s pocket and Pilko picked it up ‘because he was scared’.
During the fight, the man sustained nine stab wounds to his chest, arm, thigh, and two in his back.
Pilko also suffered a deep stab wound to his thigh, which he said was caused by the man after the fight ended and he dropped the knife.
Both men were taken to hospital for treatment.
The court heard that Pilko has been caught with a blade three times by police in the past, once at his home, another at his work place and once during an incident in a kebab shop.
Pilko said the stabs were made in self-defence.
However, Mr Pyne said: “In no way were those stabs delivered in self-defence or other justification.”
He added: “He didn’t intend to kill him when he woke up that morning, he didn’t intend to kill him 10 minutes before but during this fight the defendant decided that he should die.”
The jury have now been sent out to decide verdicts on the charges.