PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Johnson Jr (ranked 25375 p4p, 25397 weight class) and Rion Flare (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.

Johnson Jr
vs
Flare

195 cm
19
260
2 - 2 - 0

187 cm
19
220
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Johnson Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rion Flare!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flare closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson Jr, looking for a takedown. Flare pushes Johnson Jr against the cage but Johnson Jr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson Jr fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Johnson Jr tests Flare's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Flare shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson Jr pinned against the cage. Johnson Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Flare slips a jab and a cross from Johnson Jr.
Johnson Jr stuffs the takedown.
James Johnson Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rion Flare.
A big right from Johnson Jr misses.
Flare moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Flare.
Flare misses with a takedown
letting Johnson Jr counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Johnson Jr.
Flare shoots for a takedown but Johnson Jr saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Flare gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flare dives in and grabs Johnson Jr's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson Jr pushes down on Flare's head and hops out.
Flare looks winded!
Flare showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson Jr changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson Jr shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Flare eats them both and turns towards Johnson Jr to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Johnson Jr lands with a nice body punch.
Nice body punch from Johnson Jr.
Flare walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Flare takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Flare is rocked!
Johnson Jr connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Flare is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson Jr finish him?
Johnson Jr is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Johnson Jr throws a monster overhand right that drops Flare! Johnson Jr follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Johnson Jr!