PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akebono Taro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Taro
vs
Johnson

204 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Akebono Taro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Russ Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taro shoots in and bounces Johnson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taro throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Taro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson wants to stand up but Taro is controlling him.
Taro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Taro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson wants to stand but Taro is controlling the position.
Taro is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taro chips away with some ground and pound.
Taro prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Taro 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.
Taro landing some decent shots from guard.
Taro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taro lands a couple of digs.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Taro is having none of it.
Taro postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Taro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taro is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Taro is breathing heavily.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taro is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Taro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taro tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Taro sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson digs a good hook to Taro's body.
Russ Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Akebono Taro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Taro moves out of range easily.
Johnson leaves Taro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akebono Taro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Taro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Taro takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Taro is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Taro is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
Taro blocks a head kick by Johnson.

Taro fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Taro persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taro.
Taro prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Taro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Taro prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Johnson has hold of Taro's hands but Taro slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Taro 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 trying to stand.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Taro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taro shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Taro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
Taro ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
A shot to de liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Taro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Taro shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taro somewhat.
Taro avoids the head kick by Johnson.

Taro throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Taro finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Taro is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Taro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taro throwing strikes but missing.
Taro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Taro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Taro looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taro.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akebono Taro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taro fails to land the takedown.
Taro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Taro takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Taro with that takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Johnson.
Taro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Taro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Taro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Taro on that attempt.
Johnson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Taro.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Taro shakes it off.
Taro moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Taro avoids it.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Taro fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Russ Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson throws out a leg kick but Taro moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.
Taro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Taro.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Taro moves out of range easily.
Akebono Taro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taro closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Taro pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Taro rather than just go for the knockout.
Taro fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taro closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Taro pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Taro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Taro, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Taro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson throws a head kick but Taro moves out of range.
Taro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Taro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Taro shoots in.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnson throws a low kick but Taro avoids it.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Taro sees coming a mile off.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Taro fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akebono Taro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson digs a good body shot into Taro's ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.
Johnson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Taro sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson cracks Taro with a good jab.
Johnson lands a two punch combo.
Taro tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Taro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Taro shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Taro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taro is defended easily by Johnson.
Taro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taro somewhat.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Taro's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Taro closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Taro pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Johnson duly obliges.
Taro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson throws a right hand that Taro ducks under and follows up with a left that Taro also avoids with ease.
No luck for Taro with that takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Taro on that attempt.
A cross from Johnson lands.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Taro avoids them all with ease.
Taro avoids a kick to the body.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taro is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Taro takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson throws a series of strikes that have Taro backpedaling.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Taro.
Akebono Taro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson throws a one two combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taro is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Taro is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Taro working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Taro 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.
Taro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Taro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taro.
Taro thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taro.
Russ Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson lands an overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russ Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

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