PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kevin VanDam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and matt johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). johnson has chosen remember the name as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. matt johnson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

VanDam
vs
johnson

188 cm
23
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
188 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Heavy Weight Nutrition (*Recovery 152 $50!)

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin VanDam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, matt johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

VanDam shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
johnson wants to hold on but VanDam pushes him away.
VanDam working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
VanDam landing strikes from the mount.
VanDam looking to finish johnson with some ground and pound. This is bad for johnson!

VanDam jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but johnson manages to avoid the submission attempt.

VanDam tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
VanDam creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

VanDam tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
johnson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but VanDam is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
VanDam wants to control but johnson is keeping him busy.
An elbow from VanDam crashes against the mat.
johnson is trying to control VanDam's posture but VanDam avoids it.
VanDam looking to punish the body of his opponent here but johnson is avoiding damage well.

VanDam thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
VanDam scoring with punches from side control.
VanDam lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

VanDam working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
johnson pushes VanDam away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, VanDam gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VanDam working the head and body with strikes.
VanDam lands a few punches from side control.
VanDam cracks johnson with a big elbow.
VanDam landing strikes.
johnson sneaks back into half guard.
VanDam wants to pass the guard but johnson is defending well.
VanDam is breathing heavily.
VanDam not landing any meaningful shots this time.

VanDam is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
VanDam thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed johnson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from VanDam there.

VanDam is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so johnson is just riding it out for now. VanDam eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
johnson is adopting a defensive guard.
VanDam throws and elbow that misses. johnson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in VanDam's guard. Nice move by johnson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
johnson scoring with some ground and pound.

VanDam escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
VanDam avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

VanDam has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but johnson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
johnson trying to control but VanDam is working from the bottom.
johnson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control VanDam kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and VanDam has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, johnson has managed to get both his arms back between VanDam's legs - danger averted.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
johnson tries to clinch there but VanDam circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin VanDam 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.

VanDam walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
VanDam misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from VanDam.
johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
VanDam shoots for a double leg takedown but johnson sprawls well. He's pushed VanDam's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin VanDam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
VanDam takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but VanDam swats him away and circles back towards the center.
johnson scores with a one two! VanDam had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Kevin VanDam has been cut.

johnson moves into range and clinches up with VanDam.
johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but VanDam pulls his leg out and moves away.

johnson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
johnson wants to stand but VanDam is controlling his arm.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
VanDam is being controlled here.
johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
johnson is looking to take a break and control but VanDam is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
johnson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as VanDam is looking to escape.
VanDam really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
johnson tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
VanDam is squirming around, avoiding johnson's attempts to control the action.
VanDam slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

VanDam actively working from the bottom here.
johnson trying to control the action but VanDam is working from the bottom.

VanDam looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
johnson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
johnson is pressing down on VanDam's thigh, looking to free his foot. VanDam is holding on for now.
VanDam is looking for a sweep. johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. VanDam manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
johnson wants to control from the top but VanDam keeps moving.

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

VanDam gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
johnson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
johnson looking for a takedown.
johnson tries to break the clinch but VanDam is controlling the position.
VanDam can't get the takedown.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
VanDam blocks an uppercut.

johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics VanDam uses from the top position.
VanDam connects with a couple of short punches.
VanDam loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in VanDam's guard.

johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but VanDam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

VanDam escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

VanDam is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
VanDam looking for a sweep. Not yet VanDam, not yet.

VanDam looking for a guillotine here but johnson defends easily.
johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

matt johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kevin VanDam's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
johnson lunges at VanDam with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by VanDam's hand.
johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
VanDam throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around johnson's waist but johnson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing VanDam off to one side.
VanDam will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
VanDam shoots in for a double leg but johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin VanDam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.

johnson gets a clinch.
johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but VanDam pulls his leg out and moves away.
johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

johnson has VanDam up against the cage in a clinch.

johnson pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
johnson trying to keep a closed guard but VanDam is proving a slippery customer.
johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
VanDam chips away with some ground and pound.

johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. VanDam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. VanDam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
johnson is trying to control the position but VanDam postures up.

VanDam postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! johnson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of VanDam, into his guard.
johnson trying to control but VanDam is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

VanDam looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kevin VanDam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

VanDam is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and johnson defends well.
VanDam has a closed guard, preventing johnson from standing up.
johnson wants to control from the top but VanDam keeps moving.
johnson looking to pass the guard.

johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
johnson trying to control but VanDam is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
johnson is looking to clinch.
johnson wants to clinch.
johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
johnson shoots in and drives through. VanDam sprawls well.
johnson is looking to clinch but VanDam is avoiding it.
johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as VanDam sprawls well. VanDam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
johnson lands a lovely overhand right.

VanDam has managed to clinch.
VanDam has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
VanDam prevents a takedown attempt there.
johnson gets underhooks to prevent VanDam's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
johnson prevents a takedown attempt there.
johnson has had enough of the clinch but VanDam keeps him there for the moment.

johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
johnson tries for a takedown but VanDam sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but VanDam circles away quickly and effectively.
johnson tries to clinch there but VanDam circles away.

VanDam fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. johnson sprawls well initially but VanDam persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
VanDam thows a huge punch but johnson dodges it nicely.
VanDam is pressing down on johnson's thigh, looking to free his foot. johnson is holding on for now.
VanDam thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

VanDam is sneakily working for an arm triangle but johnson sees it coming and defends easily.
johnson is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to matt johnson.
I think johnson 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... matt johnson!