PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darnell Cane (ranked 2122 p4p, 59 weight class) and Nick Johnson (ranked 25124 p4p, 186 weight class). Johnson has chosen On March The Saints as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cane
vs
Johnson

188 cm
36
182 lbs
23 - 16 - 1

170 cm
40
159 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darnell Cane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Mauricio Rocha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cane throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.

Cane closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.

Cane manages to break the clinch.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Cane shows good takedown defense.
Cane went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cane tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cane is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Cane circles away and we're back to standing.
Cane seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Darnell Cane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Johnson.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Cane.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cane looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cane is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cane drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
Cane throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnsons head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cane creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson digs a right hand into Cane's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cane's gas tank.

Cane breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cane closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane blocking some punches.
Cane blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Cane has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Cane working aggressively here.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cane looking to slow down the pace here.
Johnson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cane content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cane slows down the pace here.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Cane avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Good body shot from Cane.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Cane.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Cane lands with a slapping head kick.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cane sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cane wants to stand back up but Johnson manages to pass into side control.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Cane is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Cane throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Cane closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Cane manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cane leaning against his opponent.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cane's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cane tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cane wants to clinch.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Cane.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cane looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson trying to control the position but Cane is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cane is looking to get back to his feet here but Johnson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Cane's back.
Johnson biding his time, controlling Cane.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane is trying to get back to his feet but Johnson has full control of the position and if anything, Cane has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Darnell Cane will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cane's guard.
Cane wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Johnson manages to pass to side control.
Cane is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cane wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cane is looking to escape.
Johnson won't let Cane get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson tries to control but Cane wriggling away.
Cane trying desperately to get to his feet.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cane wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Johnson looking to control but Cane is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cane is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson trying to control but Cane is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Cane really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Cane is looking to clinch.
Johnson shoots in but Cane avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cane tries to clinch
and Johnson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Cane's knee momentarily.

Cane gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cane is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Johnson dives into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cane is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Johnson controlling from side mount.
Cane is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Darnell Cane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two 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.
Cane thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cane fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.

Cane gets caught napping as Johnson dives in and scores a takedown. Cane manages to retain guard.

Cane is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Johnson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Cane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Cane counters with a one-two to the body.
Darnell Cane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Johnson.
Cane misses with a hook
and Johnson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Cane tries to clinch up.
Cane tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cane gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cane is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Cane is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cane keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson prevents Cane from getting back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Cane throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Cane misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Darnell Cane is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cane keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cane swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nick Johnson.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Johnson!
A very excited looking Nick Johnson rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.