PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodriguez Rodriguez (ranked 2905 p4p, 2780 weight class) and Jameel Johnson (ranked 307 p4p, 296 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rodriguez
vs
Johnson

175 cm
29
193
4 - 4 - 0

187 cm
21
196
3 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rodriguez Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jameel Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Rodriguez with that takedown attempt.
Rodriguez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson misses with a hook

so Rodriguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodriguez content to stall in guard here.
Rodriguez prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.

Johnson pushes Rodriguez off and scrambles back to his feet.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Rodriguez misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rodriguez is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Nice body kick there by Johnson.
Jab, jab by Johnson - just one landing.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.
Rodriguez has been working on his balance at Ragnarok\'s Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Johnson.
Johnson takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Johnson lands a nice hook to Rodriguez's body. Rodriguez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson cracks Rodriguez with a good jab.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Johnson.
Rodriguez looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Rodriguez blocks the body kick.
Jameel Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rodriguez misses with a hook.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Rodriguez.
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A lazy body kick from Johnson

and Rodriguez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rodriguez passes into half guard.

Rodriguez is working for a submission of some sort.
Johnson is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Rodriguez is controlling him
Rodriguez wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Johnson tries to kick Rodriguez off but Rodriguez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rodriguez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rodriguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Johnson pushes Rodriguez off and gets back to his feet.
Rodriguez throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Rodriguez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson gets off balance looking for a body kick

so Rodriguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodriguez won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.
Rodriguez passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to kick Rodriguez off but Rodriguez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rodriguez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Rodriguez eventually gives up the hold.
Rodriguez prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Rodriguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rodriguez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rodriguez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rodriguez trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is trying to stand.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Rodriguez sees coming a mile off.
Rodriguez tries to counter with a takedown but Johnson is quick to defend against it.
Rodriguez lands with an uppercut that bounces Johnson off the cage and back into range.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Rodriguez's head back.
Rodriguez ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson cracks Rodriguez with an open hand slap.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Johnson defending well as Rodriguez loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson throws a hook but Rodriguez blocks it.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Rodriguez tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodriguez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Johnson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rodriguez back to the cage. Johnson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodriguez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy body shot
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson dips to his left and cracks Rodriguez with an uppercut!
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Johnson takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodriguez Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.
Johnson wants to stand up but Rodriguez is controlling him.

Johnson wriggles free and stands up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jameel Johnson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez shoots and misses
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Johnson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rodriguez doesn't seem phased though.

Rodriguez dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.

Johnson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rodriguez off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson is looking to land body kicks.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Rodriguez's shoulder, as Rodriguez tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rodriguez throws out the jab.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a jab.
Johnson misses with a hook. Rodriguez ducked under it nicely.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Rodriguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Rodriguez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rodriguez blocks a low kick nicely.
Johnson defending well as Rodriguez loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez avoids a kick to the body.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodriguez Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Rodriguez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson scores with a spinning back kick!
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Johnson to score with a decent uppercut.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodriguez is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Jameel Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson lands a high kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rodriguez lands with a shot to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rodriguez on the side of the head.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Johnson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Rodriguez.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rodriguez misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Rodriguez avoids nicely.
Rodriguez ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodriguez is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rodriguez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Nice cross by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with a hook
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.

Rodriguez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.

Johnson wriggles free and stands up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Rodriguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A telegraphed right hand from Rodriguez misses the target.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Johnson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rodriguez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.
Johnson throws a fast counter high kick but Rodriguez manages to duck under it in time.
Rodriguez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jameel Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson lunges at Rodriguez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rodriguez's hand.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Johnson.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rodriguez misses the target.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Rodriguez moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Rodriguez throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rodriguez on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Rodriguez avoids it with no problem.
Johnson moves out of range of the leg kick from Rodriguez.
A solid leg kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jameel Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rodriguez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Rodriguez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rodriguez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodriguez is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Rodriguez prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Rodriguez Rodriguez 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jab, jab by Rodriguez - just one landing.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Johnson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rodriguez is able to avoid easily.
Rodriguez feinted with a counter takedown.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Johnson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodriguez Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Rodriguez moved out of range nicely.
Rodriguez checks a low kick from Johnson.
Rodriguez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rodriguez lands a nice shot that snaps Johnson's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Johnson. That one must have hurt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Rodriguez is out of range.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Rodriguez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Johnson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rodriguez momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johnson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rodriguez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rodriguez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson misses with a low kick.

Rodriguez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson prevents Rodriguez from moving into mount.

Johnson bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rodriguez counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Rodriguez connects with a couple of short punches.
Rodriguez won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rodriguez connects with a couple of short punches.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

Johnson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Rodriguez presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Rodriguez is leaning against Johnson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rodriguez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson missing with knees to the body.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Johnson cracks Rodriguez with a nice body shot.
A right hand to the body from Johnson.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Johnson crunches a lovely knee into Rodriguez's ribcage.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Rodriguez persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Good leg kick by Johnson.
Rodriguez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rodriguez misses the shot to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Johnson lands a nice looking body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rodriguez shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rodriguez's hands.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Rodriguez misses its intended target.
Johnson takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Johnson tests Rodriguez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rodriguez ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Johnson throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Johnson throws a hook but Rodriguez blocks it.
Rodriguez Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jameel Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rodriguez throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jameel Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jameel Johnson!
Jameel Johnson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.