PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Johns Jr (ranked 4202 p4p, 4762 weight class) and Camryn Combs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Johns Jr
vs
Combs

198 cm
20
190
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
190
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Johns Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Camryn Combs!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Lou da Vinci and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Combs is looking to land body kicks.
Johns Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Combs swivels and escapes.

Johns Jr has managed to clinch.

Johns Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Combs shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Combs prevents Johns Jr from standing back up.
Johns Jr really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johns Jr is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johns Jr keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johns Jr tries to kick Combs off but Combs keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Combs looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns Jr desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Johns Jr wants to improve his position but Combs is controlling well.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johns Jr lands a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johns Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johns Jr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Combs's waist but Combs gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johns Jr off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Johns Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johns Jr shoots in but Combs avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Johns Jr clinches up with Combs and pushes him back against the cage.
Johns Jr wants a takedown but no success here.

Johns Jr breaks the clinch.

Johns Jr gets a double leg takedown into Combs's guard.
Johns Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
Johns Jr throwing strikes from guard but Combs blocks nicely.
Combs keeping moving, preventing Johns Jr from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johns Jr is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johns Jr works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Johns Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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.
Johns Jr content to control rather than advance.
Johns Jr is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johns Jr missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Johns Jr looks for a takedown but Combs sprawls well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Johns Jr has managed to clinch.

Johns Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johns Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Combs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johns Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johns Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johns Jr fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Johns Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johns Jr gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Combs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Combs scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
James Johns Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Combs clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johns Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Combs gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Combs has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Johns Jr uses from the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johns Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johns Jr trying to control but Combs is working from the bottom.
Johns Jr pushes down on Combs's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johns Jr trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
An inside leg kick from Johns Jr misses.
Johns Jr stalks Combs and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Combs's face. Combs staggers backwards, shaken.
Combs tries to clinch but Johns Jr moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Combs just misses with a punch to the body.
Johns Jr shoots in for a takedown but Combs shows good takedown defense.
Camryn Combs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johns Jr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jab by Combs.
Johns Jr moves away from the strike by Combs.
Johns Jr throws a head kick but Combs moves out of range.
Combs throws a head kick but Johns Jr moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Combs as Johns Jr shoots in.
Johns Jr has a takedown stuffed.
Combs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johns Jr.

Combs gets tackled into the cage by Johns Jr. Johns Jr maintains the clinch.

Johns Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - Combs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johns Jr rushes Combs and presses him up against the cage.
Johns Jr tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Combs lands with a right to the head.
Johns Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johns Jr breaks the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Combs cracks Johns Jr with an open hand slap.
Combs throws a poor cross that misses
and Johns Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Camryn Combs will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Combs is trying to drag Johns Jr to the mat but Johns Jr just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Combs misses with a punch to the body.
Combs prevents a body shot from Johns Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johns Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Combs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johns Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Combs swivels and escapes.
Johns Jr throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Combs.
Johns Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Johns Jr looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johns Jr moves out of range of the body kick from Combs.

Combs fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johns Jr, pushing him back against the cage.
Combs scores with a nice hook to the head.
Johns Jr is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Combs pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Johns Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johns Jr is looking to take this one to the mat.
Johns Jr is looking for a takedown.

Johns Jr breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johns Jr.
Combs scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Johns Jr gets tackled into the cage by Combs. Combs maintains the clinch.
Johns Jr jumps guard but Combs stands there with Johns Jr around his waist. Johns Jr gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Combs lands a nice shot to the body.
Johns Jr has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Combs avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Combs manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Combs has momentary wrist control but Johns Jr slips an elbow through the middle.
Johns Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Combs looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Combs can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johns Jr controls the pace.
Johns Jr will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Johns Jr seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Combs for as long as he can get away with.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Camryn Combs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johns Jr looks for a takedown but Combs sprawls well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Camryn Combs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Combs 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!