PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeremy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xing Du (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
vs
Du

172 cm
24
144 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeremy Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xing Du!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Du misses with a low kick.
Johnson checks a low kick from Du.
Good leg kick by Du there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Du lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Du goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Du can do anything to dispel that myth.
Du wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson trying to control but Du is working from the bottom.
Du looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Du is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Du is keeping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Du trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Du really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Du attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Johnson blocks a leg kick.
Du throws a nice inside leg kick.
Du misses with a low kick.
Du pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xing Du seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Du attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Du shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Du sprawls well.
Du is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Crunch! Du slams his shin into Johnson's torso.

That's two 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.

Du gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Du wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.
Du is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Du keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Du is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Du manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Du is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnson.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
Du goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Johnson avoids a kick to the body.
Du misses with a head kick.
Du looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocks the body kick.
A head kick misses from Du.
Du misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Du throws a head kick that misses.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.
Johnson is thwarting Du's attempts to control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Johnson works his way into side control.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Du some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Du struggling a bit here.
Johnson is staying tight to Du's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Du some visible discomfort.
Du is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Du is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Johnson asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.
Du taking a bit of punishment here - Johnson scoring with strikes.

Du is rocked!
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.
Du is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson scores with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Du some visible discomfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Du gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson is in close to Du's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnson postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Du covers up, he's hurt! Johnson keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Johnson and the ref steps in to end the fight! Johnson can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jeremy Johnson!