Strikedown: The Beginning PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tevo Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tzu FXT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jones
vs
FXT

190 cm
18
182 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tevo Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tzu FXT!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones throws a looping overhand right but FXT ducks down to avoid it.
Good shot there by FXT.

Jones has managed to clinch.
Jones is looking for a takedown up against the cage. FXT gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
FXT wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
FXT gets underhooks to prevent Jones's takedown attempt.

Jones has hold of one of FXT's legs. FXT is fighting the takedown attempt but Jones gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
FXT manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

FXT is working for a guillotine from mount but Jones frees his head quite easily.
FXT is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Jones is in real trouble.
Jones looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

FXT is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Jones is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tzu FXT!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
72%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Mayhem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mayhem
vs
Johnson

185 cm
23
198 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

200 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Mayhem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donald Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Kavanagh and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mayhem misses with an uppercut.
Mayhem misses with a head kick.
A combination from Mayhem does no damage.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mayhem swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Mayhem sprawls well.
Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mayhem to score with a decent uppercut.
John Mayhem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mayhem loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Danga de danga de dang - Johnson scores with a four punch combination!

Johnson pushes Mayhem up against the cage in a clinch.

Mayhem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Mayhem checks it.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mayhem throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mayhem is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Mayhem has control of the leg.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mayhem is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayhem is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mayhem working the head and body with strikes.
Mayhem perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Mayhem has control of the leg.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mayhem connects with a nice short shot to Johnson's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem stalling.
Johnson won't allow Mayhem to pass to mount.
Johnson trying to hold on to Mayhem's head to control him but Mayhem postures up.
Mayhem throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Mayhem stands up and beckons Johnson to join him on the feet.
Mayhem throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Mayhem lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mayhem swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Mayhem.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.

Johnson rushes Mayhem and presses him up against the cage.
Mayhem wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mayhem's efforts to push away.
Mayhem is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mayhem throws out the jab.
Mayhem stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Johnson.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nice sprawl there from Mayhem as Johnson shoots in.
Johnson looks gassed!
Mayhem looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.

Johnson has managed to clinch.

Mayhem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mayhem scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mayhem slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mayhem pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mayhem thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson slips under a jab from Mayhem.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Mayhem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mayhem throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Mayhem throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mayhem.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Mayhem lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mayhem throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Mayhem stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mayhem bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mayhem lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mayhem dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mayhem connects with a jab.
Mayhem lands a nice looking body shot.
Mayhem tries a head kick but it misses.
Mayhem pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mayhem looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Mayhem throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Mayhem throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mayhem avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Mayhem loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Mayhem sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A swing and a miss from Mayhem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayhem throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Mayhem tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A jab from Mayhem misses.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mayhem misses the jab.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
John Mayhem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mayhem throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson moves out of range as Mayhem strikes.
Mayhem misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Mayhem avoids nicely.
Mayhem is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Mayhem circles away and keeps his distance.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Mayhem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson looking for a takedown.

Mayhem breaks from the clinch.
Mayhem is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Johnson dives in and grabs Mayhem's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mayhem pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Johnson.
Mayhem darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
John Mayhem is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Mayhem listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson slips a jab from Mayhem.
Donald Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mayhem misses the jab.
Mayhem lands a jab-cross combination.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mayhem as he jumps to the side.
Mayhem throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mayhem.
Mayhem is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A jab from Mayhem misses.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Mayhem misses with a head kick.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mayhem sprawls well. Mayhem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mayhem throws out the jab.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Mayhem.

Johnson pushes Mayhem up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Mayhem holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mayhem smiles and moves away.
Mayhem fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Johnson on the side of the head.
Mayhem tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mayhem.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Mayhem throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson scores with a kick to the midsection.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mayhem has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.

Mayhem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mayhem throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson scores with a kick to the midsection.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mayhem dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

Mayhem keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mayhem misses with a double jab

and Johnson moves into the clinch.

Mayhem manages to break the clinch.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Mayhem connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Mayhem lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Mayhem throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Mayhem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Mayhem won't allow it.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Johnson.
Johnson looking to stall.
Mayhem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Mayhem won't allow it.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mayhem's efforts to push away.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayhem wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Mayhem is trying to break free.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mayhem has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mayhem has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Johnson tries to stall but Mayhem uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Johnson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mayhem is trying to keep an underhook but Johnson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Johnson is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Mayhem as he works his way to full guard.
Mayhem has Johnson pulled in close to control his posture.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mayhem's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mayhem tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Mayhem wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four 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.
Mayhem has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mayhem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mayhem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson wants to stand but Mayhem has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Donald Johnson.
I think Mayhem has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Mayhem!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
45%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Earl Clarks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Danza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Danza's choice of entrance music: Who's the Boss. Tony Danza is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Clarks
vs
Danza

167 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
183 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Earl Clarks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tony Danza!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danza shoots for a takedown but Clarks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Danza dives in and grabs Clarks's left leg, looking for a takedown. Clarks pushes down on Danza's head and hops out.
Danza jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Danza fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Danza connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Danza connects with a crisp jab.
Danza goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Earl Clarks has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danza shoots for a double leg takedown but Clarks sprawls well. He's pushed Danza's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Earl Clarks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Danza.
Danza shoots in but no luck this time.

Clarks scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Danza is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Danza gets back to half guard.
Clarks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Danza tries to roll over but Clarks keeps him under control.
Danza gets back to full guard.
Clarks is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Danza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clarks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clarks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Danza looks gassed!
Clarks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clarks thows a big elbow that misses.
Clarks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Clarks postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Clarks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Danza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Clarks has managed to get both his arms back between Danza's legs - danger averted.
Clarks postures up in Danza's guard and throws a big left but Danza blocks it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Clarks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Clarks scoring with some ground and pound.

Danza has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Clarks should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Danza has tightened it up now! Clarks should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Tony Danza!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
98%

Co-main event

Main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nepobedimiy Udarnik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oprah Windfury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Udarnik
vs
Windfury

185 cm
22
260 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
19
255 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nepobedimiy Udarnik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oprah Windfury!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Kavanagh and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Udarnik misses with a head kick.
Windfury throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Udarnik.
Udarnik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Udarnik fails in his attempt to clinch.
Windfury looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Udarnik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Windfury swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Windfury misses with a jab, cross combination.
Udarnik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Windfury swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Udarnik throws a head kick but Windfury moves out of range.
Nepobedimiy Udarnik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Windfury swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Udarnik fails in his attempt to clinch.
Windfury blocks a head kick by Udarnik.
Windfury scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Nepobedimiy Udarnik has been cut.
Windfury throws a right and a left that Udarnik avoids nicely.
Windfury throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Udarnik.
Udarnik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Windfury circles away from the clinch attempt.
Udarnik throws a sloppy head kick and Windfury moves out of range easily.
Udarnik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Windfury swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Windfury moves out of range of the body kick.
Udarnik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Udarnik showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Windfury.
Udarnik tries a head kick but it misses.
Windfury misses with the combination.
Udarnik tries to clinch there but Windfury circles away.
Udarnik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Udarnik goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Udarnik is breathing heavily.
Windfury fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Windfury misses with a wild combination.
Nepobedimiy Udarnik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some wild striking there from Windfury.
Windfury avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Udarnik avoids a punch combination nicely.
A combination from Windfury does no damage.
Udarnik could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Udarnik gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Udarnik breaks the clinch.
Windfury walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Udarnik lands a brutal head kick. Windfury looks out on his feet and Udarnik throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Nepobedimiy Udarnik!