PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ernest Graves (ranked 1424 p4p, 1054 weight class) and Champ Johnson (ranked 174 p4p, 132 weight class). Johnson has chosen Can't Be Touched as his entrance music. Champ Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Graves
vs
Johnson

172 cm
43
160
48 - 40 - 2

180 cm
32
161
9 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 48 - 40 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Ernest Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Champ Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Graves should have avoided that one.
Johnson scoring well with a low kick there.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Johnson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Champ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Graves.
Johnson with the counter takedown but Graves avoids it easily.
Johnson with a nice calf kick.
Johnson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Graves counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Graves manages to pass to side control.

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.
Graves stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Graves throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson has hold of Graves's hands but Graves slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Graves scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Graves has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Graves wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Graves is controlling him well.
Graves is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Graves is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Graves prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Johnson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Graves wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.
Graves seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Graves 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 won't allow Graves to pass to mount.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Graves is controlling him
Graves 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.

Johnson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
A cross from Graves lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Graves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Graves misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Graves on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Johnson lands with a shot to the body.
Graves closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Graves moved out of range.
Graves was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Johnson throws a jab when Graves was well out of range.
Graves takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Graves defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Graves knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Graves's hands.
Graves looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Graves misses the shot to the body.
Graves takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Graves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Graves takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Graves slips a jab from Johnson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Graves sets himself, and Johnson steps forward looking for the clinch! Graves avoids it this time.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Graves on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Graves appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Graves knows he should have avoided that one.
Graves fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
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.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves checks a leg kick.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Graves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves misses the shot to the body.
A nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson tries to clinch but Graves is having none of it.
Graves appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson throws out a leg kick but Graves moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.
An attempted straight right counter from Graves misses the target.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Graves's leg. Graves is trying to keep his angry face on.
Graves moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Graves manages to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Graves misses its target.
Johnson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Graves misses with a few strikes there.
Graves tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.
Graves walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson digs a good body shot into Graves's ribs.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Johnson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Graves swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to clinch but Graves is having none of it.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Johnson jabs Graves to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Champ Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice leg kick lands there from Johnson.
The fighters circle momentarily. Johnson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Johnson swings for the body but Graves moves out of range.
Graves is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Johnson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
It looked like Graves was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Johnson.
A big right from Graves misses.
Graves goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
Graves misses with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Graves lands a right hand.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Graves pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Graves is looking to wear down Johnson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Champ Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A low kick lands for Johnson.
Graves throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves.
Johnson thumps Graves with a low kick.
Johnson cracks Graves with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Johnson scores with a decent looking hook.
Graves ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
Graves is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Graves thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Graves takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Graves.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Graves throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circling - Graves throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson throws a counter combo.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Graves.
The fighters circling - Graves throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Graves doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves slips under a jab from Johnson.
A left lands for Johnson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson avoids the body shot from Graves.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A low kick lands for Johnson.

Johnson moves into the clinch successfully.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Graves jabs at Johnson's body.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Graves throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Graves throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Graves throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson connects with a jab.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graves.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Champ Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson tries to clinch up.
A nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Graves, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Graves chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
Johnson is looking to slow Graves down with leg kicks.
Johnson lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves misses with a straight left.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Graves was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Graves.
A cross from Johnson lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Graves lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson tests Graves's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Graves takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Graves fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Johnson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
Graves throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves misses the shot to the body.
Johnson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Graves momentarily.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Graves throws out the jab.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Graves drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Graves is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Graves takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Graves drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Graves scores with a body shot.
Johnson throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Graves throws out the jab.
Graves takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Graves misses the shot to the body.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A counter left hand to the body from Graves misses its target.
Johnson is looking to score with low kicks.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Graves looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Graves gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Johnson moves out of range as Graves strikes.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Graves. That did some damage!
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Graves's ribs.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Johnson throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Graves on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Graves's leg. Graves is trying to keep his angry face on.
Johnson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Graves jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Graves lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Johnson cracks Graves with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Graves uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson feints and then cracks Graves's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Graves down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Champ 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Champ Johnson!
After the fight, Champ Johnson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.