The Island Season 9, 170 lbs, Round 3 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Samuelson (ranked 1119 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Lawrence (ranked 257 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawrence has chosen Sweep the Leg as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Samuelson
vs
Lawrence

175 cm
27
177 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

185 cm
27
175 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sam Samuelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuelson shoots for a takedown but Lawrence saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Samuelson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lawrence as he avoids it easily.
Samuelson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lawrence sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Samuelson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samuelson tries for a takedown but Lawrence circles away easily
and Lawrence connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Samuelson with a poor takedown
and Lawrence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sam Samuelson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Samuelson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Samuelson shoots in but no luck this time.

Lawrence gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Samuelson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lawrence looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Samuelson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawrence swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lawrence seems keen to control Samuelson's posture.

Samuelson drops back looking for a leg! Lawrence is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lawrence manages to kick Samuelson off! Samuelson jumps back into Lawrence's guard.

Samuelson drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Samuelson as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Lawrence screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Samuelson! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Sam Samuelson!
In defeat, Johnny Lawrence stepped up to the mic, saying 'Hey Johnny! You're a cream puff!'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
67%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Guerrero (ranked 353 p4p, 47 weight class) and Derrick Johnson (ranked 420 p4p, 0 weight class). Guerrero comes to the cage accompanied by My Time Is Now. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Guerrero
vs
Johnson

167 cm
26
178 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
180 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eddie Guerrero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Derrick Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Guerrero.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut

and Guerrero decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
Guerrero has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Guerrero throws a big right hand that misses.
Guerrero passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Guerrero wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is looking to regain half guard here but Guerrero keeps moving and retains side control.
Guerrero advances nicely into full mount.
Guerrero working the ground and pound effectively.
Johnson gets back to half guard.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Guerrero throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.
Guerrero is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Guerrero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Guerrero looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guerrero is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Guerrero thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Guerrero defends well.
Guerrero landing with the ground and pound.
Guerrero lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Guerrero has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Guerrero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Guerrero working some strikes from top position.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Guerrero.
Guerrero lands a couple of digs.
Johnson trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Guerrero throwing strikes but missing.
Guerrero scoring with some ground and pound.
Guerrero trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Guerrero is working Johnson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Guerrero throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson controls Guerrero momentarily but Guerrero frees himself.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Guerrero is working Johnson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Guerrero throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Guerrero is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Guerrero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Guerrero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson is trying to keep Guerrero in close.
Guerrero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Guerrero forces his way into half guard.
Guerrero lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Guerrero is in close to Johnson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Guerrero throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Guerrero chips away with some ground and pound.
Guerrero lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Guerrero keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.

Johnson is rocked!
Guerrero postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Guerrero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Guerrero working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is still in real trouble! Can Guerrero finish him?
Guerrero works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
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!

Guerrero isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Johnson stacks Guerrero on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Johnson!
Guerrero is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Guerrero is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Guerrero counters with a nice double leg into side control. Johnson won't be happy with that.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Guerrero scoring with punches and elbows.
Guerrero scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Johnson to see if he's OK.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Eddie Guerrero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guerrero in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Johnson looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Guerrero turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eddie Guerrero!
An out of breath Eddie Guerrero thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
48%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bjj Murderer (ranked 1247 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drotenkov Filippovich (ranked 284 p4p, 36 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!This should be a great matchup!

Murderer
vs
Filippovich

166 cm
27
166 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
177 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bjj Murderer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Drotenkov Filippovich!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filippovich throws the left hand but Murderer avoids the punch easily.
Murderer appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've been hearing reports that Murderer has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Filippovich shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Murderer napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Murderer tries to buck Filippovich off but Filippovich is having none of it.

Filippovich thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Murderer sneaks back into half guard.

Filippovich is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murderer is just riding it out for now. Filippovich eventually gives up the hold.
Murderer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murderer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Filippovich doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Filippovich manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murderer has his hands on Filippovich's head, controlling the position.

Murderer isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Filippovich stacks Murderer on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Filippovich!

Filippovich wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Murderer, who protects the arm well.
Murderer tries to buck Filippovich off but Filippovich is having none of it.

That's two 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.
Filippovich gets to mount! Murderer was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murderer prevents Filippovich from taking his back.
Filippovich trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Murderer is in all sorts of trouble here.
Murderer bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Murderer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Filippovich is keeping the position for now.

Filippovich has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Murderer is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Filippovich.
Murderer trying to control the action but Filippovich is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murderer has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Filippovich!
Murderer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Filippovich is looking to escape.
Murderer controlling his opponent.
Murderer is stalling here but it's allowed Filippovich to get half guard.
Murderer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Filippovich moves into full guard.
Filippovich keeping full guard, as Murderer tries to pass.

Filippovich working for a triangle but Murderer defends it easily.
Filippovich wants to control the position but Murderer says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Filippovich is not content to let Murderer control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Drotenkov Filippovich will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Filippovich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Filippovich wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Filippovich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murderer fails with a takedown attempt.
Murderer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Murderer darts in looking for a takedown but Filippovich gets double underhooks and turns Murderer into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bjj Murderer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filippovich throws a hook but Murderer blocks it.
Murderer blocks a jab.
Filippovich with a jab.
Filippovich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murderer misses with a takedown attempt - Filippovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Filippovich changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filippovich throws a shot from downtown. Murderer moves away and avoids it.
Murderer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
No luck for Murderer with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filippovich cracks Murderer with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Filippovich throws a hook but Murderer blocks it.
Murderer feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Filippovich as Murderer shoots in.

Filippovich shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Murderer is trying to defend but Filippovich finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Murderer is trying to control but can't.

Filippovich is trying to work for a kimura but Murderer is defending well.

Murderer is defending against the submission attempts here by Filippovich.
Murderer wants to improve his position but Filippovich is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filippovich is looking to take a break and control but Murderer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Murderer manages to get to full guard.

Murderer looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Filippovich is defending well. Murderer quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Filippovich has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Murderer celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bjj Murderer!
A relieved looking Bjj Murderer thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
32%

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Litill Bjornsson (ranked 30 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cai Jia (ranked 672 p4p, 0 weight class). Cai Jia has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bjornsson
vs
Jia

174 cm
27
165 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

172 cm
27
168 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Litill Bjornsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cai Jia!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjornsson lands with a good body shot.
Jia walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jia ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jia misses with a wild body shot.
Bjornsson blocks a jab.
Jia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bjornsson ducks under a wild hook from Jia.
Jia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bjornsson manages to avoid it.
Bjornsson scores with a hook to the body. Jia takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jia lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jia has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Jia steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Jia is just out of range.

Bjornsson takes the fight into the clinch.
Bjornsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jia's elbow.
Jia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bjornsson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jia to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jia.
Bjornsson takes a shot to the head.

Bjornsson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Jia uses from the top position.

Bjornsson pushes a forearm under Jia's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Jia is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Litill Bjornsson!
A very excited looking Litill Bjornsson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.