PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Matielli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Matielli

200 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
22
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josh Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Junior Matielli!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Johnson blocks Matielli's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Matielli is blocking nicely.
Matielli wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Johnson.

Johnson is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Matielli has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Johnson landing punches.
Johnson controlling from the full mount.
Matielli sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matielli trying to control here.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
Matielli is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Matielli flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Matielli is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matielli avoid being mounted?
Johnson controlling the action here.

That's two 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 tries to pass to full mount but Matielli defends it.
Matielli moves into full guard.
Matielli bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matielli wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matielli tries to stand but Johnson is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Matielli.
Johnson wants to stand up but Matielli is controlling him.
Matielli trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Matielli stands up from Johnson's guard - Matielli perhaps looking for a knockout.
Matielli gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Matielli's thigh. Matielli counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Matielli is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matielli trying to control the position.
Johnson postures up in Matielli's guard and throws a big left but Matielli blocks it.
Matielli trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Matielli is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Johnson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Matielli tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Matielli!
Matielli is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Matielli but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson looking to control but Matielli is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Johnson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Johnson tries to control but Matielli wriggling away.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matielli on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Matielli tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Matielli is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Matielli wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Matielli sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Matielli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Matielli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matielli.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Matielli is working from the bottom.
Matielli pulls Johnson in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Matielli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matielli not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matielli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matielli with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Matielli shows good takedown defense.

Matielli shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Johnson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Matielli gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Matielli defends it nicely.
Matielli circles away from the clinch attempt
and Matielli counters with an outside leg kick.
No joy there for Matielli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Matielli's guard.
Johnson postures up in Matielli's guard and throws a big left but Matielli blocks it.
Matielli looking for a sweep. Not yet Matielli, not yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matielli is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson trying to control but Matielli is working from the bottom.
Johnson is really struggling to control Matielli but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Matielli working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Matielli is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson dives in and grabs Matielli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Matielli pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed

and Matielli decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matielli stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.
Matielli is looking to clinch.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the action but Matielli is working from the bottom.
Matielli is looking to improve his position.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Matielli is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matielli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matielli.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Matielli's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Matielli wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Johnson gets a clinch.

Matielli breaks from the clinch.
Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Matielli counters with an outside leg kick.
Junior Matielli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Josh Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matielli lands with a slapping head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junior Matielli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Johnson!