PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Turtchin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen Through the Fire Flames- Dragonforce as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Turtchin
vs
Johnson

180 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Turtchin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Mauricio Rocha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turtchin misses with a two punch combination.
Turtchin lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Turtchin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
George Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Turtchin scores with a jab. Johnson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Turtchin displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like George Johnson has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Johnson trying to control but Turtchin is working from the bottom.
Turtchin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Turtchin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Turtchin's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Turtchin has wrist control.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Turtchin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Turtchin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Turtchin is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Turtchin is on top in guard.
Turtchin trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Turtchin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Turtchin trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.

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.
Turtchin trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turtchin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Turtchin from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Turtchin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin 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.
Turtchin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Turtchin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Turtchin lands a jab-cross combination.
Johnson looks gassed!
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Turtchin shows good takedown defense.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Turtchin off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Turtchin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.
Turtchin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Turtchin from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Turtchin is stalling in the full guard.
Turtchin trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Turtchin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on George Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Turtchin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Turtchin off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Turtchin looking for a sweep. Not yet Turtchin, not yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Turtchin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Turtchin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Turtchin is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turtchin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Turtchin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Rodrigo Turtchin just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Turtchin is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Turtchin circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johnson there as he acknowledges the shot.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Turtchin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Turtchin is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Turtchin wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Turtchin is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Turtchin won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Turtchin's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Turtchin as he jumps to the side.
Rodrigo Turtchin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Johnson.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Turtchin!
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.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Turtchin avoids it really well and circles away.
Turtchin moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Turtchin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Turtchin!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Turtchin lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Turtchin jabs at Johnson's body.
Turtchin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Turtchin fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Turtchin swinging wilding here.
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Turtchin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Turtchin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Turtchin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Turtchin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Turtchin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Turtchin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Turtchin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on George Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Turtchin.

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!
Turtchin working to try and regain half guard.
George Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turtchin regains half guard.
Johnson 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 is thwarting Turtchin's attempts to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson prevents Turtchin from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turtchin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Turtchin tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Johnson trying to control the action but Turtchin is working from the bottom.
Turtchin tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Turtchin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Turtchin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Turtchin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Turtchin gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson works over Turtchin with some ground and pound from guard.
Turtchin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Johnson!
You get the feeling that Johnson really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Turtchin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Turtchin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Turtchin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four 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.
Johnson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Turtchin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rodrigo Turtchin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Turtchin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
George Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Turtchin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johnson is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George Johnson.
I think Turtchin 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Turtchin!