PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Johnson (ranked 3351 p4p, 4072 weight class) and Ren Nakamura (ranked 175 p4p, 207 weight class). 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?

Johnson
vs
Nakamura

194 cm
26
280
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
24
290
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Damien Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ren Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nakamura did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Johnson is nestled in close to Nakamura, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
Nakamura is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakamura avoid being mounted?
Nakamura is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Nakamura's head.
Johnson is nestled in close to Nakamura, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nakamura trying to control but Johnson postures up.

Nakamura actively working from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Nakamura is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson working Nakamura over with strikes.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson blocks the strikes from Nakamura.
Nakamura looks winded!
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. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Nakamura's temple.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnson is trying to control. Nakamura wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've been hearing that Johnson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Nakamura on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Nakamura looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Johnson working over Nakamura with some ground and pound. Nakamura looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson working over Nakamura with some ground and pound. Nakamura looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson working Nakamura over with strikes.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson controlling the action here.
Johnson working over Nakamura with some ground and pound. Nakamura looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nakamura on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nakamura taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Nakamura's hands, connecting with Nakamura's forehead.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnson is nestled in close to Nakamura, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Nakamura's hands, connecting with Nakamura's forehead.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Nakamura looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nakamura with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Nakamura is working away.
Johnson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is nestled in close to Nakamura, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Nakamura regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson distracts Nakamura with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson stands up over Nakamura, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakamura is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Nakamura's brow.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nakamura tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Nakamura's guard.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Damien Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakamura can do to turn this around?
Nakamura is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nakamura's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Johnson connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Nakamura is keeping the position.

Nakamura looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.
Johnson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Johnson cracks Nakamura with a solid left hand.
Nakamura looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Nakamura being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson trying to control but Nakamura is working from the bottom.

Nakamura is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Nakamura's brow.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakamura's head.
Johnson stands up over Nakamura, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nakamura has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Nakamura's legs - danger averted.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakamura's head.
Johnson distracts Nakamura with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson advances position into side control!
Johnson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Johnson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Check out the look on Johnson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Johnson advances nicely into full mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson with shots to the head and body - Nakamura looks very uncomfortable down there.
Johnson dominating with strikes here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Johnson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nakamura lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson takes a swing at Nakamura's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Nakamura's shoulder, as Nakamura tries to avoid the shot.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Nakamura being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakamura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Nakamura controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nakamura being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Johnson is working Nakamura over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson trying to control but Nakamura is working from the bottom.
Johnson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nakamura is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Johnson stands and throws Nakamura's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson cracks Nakamura with a big elbow.
Johnson works to advance to full mount. Nakamura defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Johnson looking to control but Nakamura is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Johnson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Johnson cracks Nakamura with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson dominating with strikes here.
Johnson content just to control the position here.
Nakamura wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson with shots to the head and body - Nakamura looks very uncomfortable down there.
Johnson lands a couple of good shots and Nakamura has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Johnson lands a shot to the head.
Good control from Johnson.
Johnson lands strikes to the head.
Good control from Johnson.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Johnson gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is taking a good look at Nakamura as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Johnson!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Nakamura grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Nakamura covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Nakamura prevents Johnson from getting a body triangle.
Ren Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson scores with strikes from the back.
Johnson lands punches and elbows.
Johnson lands punches and elbows.
Johnson lands with a hammerfist to the side of Nakamura's head.
Johnson lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Nakamura.
Johnson scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Damien Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damien Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:24
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:24
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damien Johnson!
A very excited looking Damien 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.