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 is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by remember the name. matt johnson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kevin VanDam's chin.

VanDam
vs
johnson

188 cm
24
190 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
23
188 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Demonic Drugs
Heavy Weight Nutrition (*Recovery 152 $50!)

Demonic Drugs

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 5 - 3 - 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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, matt johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for johnson with that takedown attempt.

johnson gets caught flat footed, as VanDam shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
VanDam trying to control the position from guard on top but johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
VanDam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
VanDam connects with a couple of short punches.
VanDam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
VanDam is looking to work some ground and pound but johnson has wrist control.
VanDam lands a couple of decent looking shots.
VanDam thows a big elbow that misses.
VanDam throwing strikes but missing.

VanDam drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and johnson dives on top into guard.

VanDam is looking for a triangle but johnson pushes his legs off easily.
VanDam keeping full guard, as johnson tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
johnson trying to control but VanDam is working from the bottom.

VanDam is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. johnson is aware though and is defending well.
VanDam 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.
VanDam is trying to control the position but johnson postures up.

VanDam looking for a guillotine here but johnson defends easily.
VanDam is breathing heavily.
johnson trying to control but VanDam is working from the bottom.

VanDam is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
VanDam keeping moving, preventing johnson from controlling successfully.

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.

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.

VanDam is looking for a triangle but johnson pushes his legs off easily.
johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but VanDam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

johnson drops back looking for a leg! VanDam is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and VanDam manages to kick johnson off! johnson jumps back into VanDam's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - VanDam looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VanDam takes a jab right on the kisser.
VanDam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
VanDam dives in and grabs johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. johnson pushes down on VanDam's head and hops out.
johnson looks to land a body kick but VanDam moved away.
VanDam tries to score a power double leg takedown but johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten VanDam somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin VanDam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from VanDam, before circling back to the center of the mat.
johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Kevin VanDam has been cut.
johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
johnson moves in looking to clinch but VanDam pushes him off.
johnson swinging wildly here.

VanDam scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
johnson controlling the position well.

VanDam is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
VanDam throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
johnson wants to control but VanDam is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
VanDam passes to side control.
johnson can't do much from the bottom here.
johnson tries to buck VanDam off but VanDam is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin VanDam dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin VanDam's cut.
That's time! VanDam's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

VanDam shoots in and drives through. johnson sprawls well.
johnson misses with a two punch combination.
A shot to de liver by johnson. Beautiful body shot.
johnson lands with an overhand left.
VanDam dives in and grabs johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. johnson pushes down on VanDam's head and hops out.
VanDam fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin VanDam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
VanDam drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A combination from johnson does no damage.
johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
johnson throws a right and a left that VanDam avoids nicely.
johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around VanDam's waist but VanDam gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing johnson off to one side.
matt johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
VanDam shoots for a takedown but johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

VanDam scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
VanDam throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
VanDam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
VanDam makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
johnson controls VanDam momentarily but VanDam frees himself.
VanDam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
VanDam postures up.
VanDam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
VanDam throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
VanDam blocks a head kick by johnson.
johnson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. VanDam tries to avoid it but johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag VanDam to the ground. VanDam escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from VanDam.
johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
johnson wants to clinch.
johnson scores with a push kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from johnson, right into the meat.
A solid leg kick lands there for johnson.
johnson throws a head kick that VanDam semi-blocks.
johnson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
VanDam takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kevin VanDam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
johnson throws a series of punches but VanDam avoids them all with ease.
johnson throws a nice looking combination but VanDam bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
VanDam wants to clinch but johnson slips to the side
and johnson counters with a one-two to the body.

johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson is keen to just control but VanDam is a slippery customer.
VanDam keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks VanDam with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

johnson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

VanDam looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
VanDam 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 missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

VanDam looking for submissions off his back.

johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
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.
VanDam keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but VanDam keeps working.

VanDam looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

VanDam is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but johnson pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
johnson is looking to take a break and control but VanDam is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

VanDam shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. johnson is trying to defend but VanDam finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
VanDam looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
VanDam landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
johnson is trying to control but can't.
Kevin VanDam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
VanDam winds up and cracks johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from VanDam.
VanDam missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
johnson wants to control but VanDam is keeping busy and won't allow it.
johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
johnson is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

johnson looking for submissions off his back.

VanDam is trying to work for a kimura but johnson is defending well.
johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but VanDam scores with a couple of nice shots.
VanDam lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
johnson shoots for a takedown but VanDam saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
VanDam misses with a takedown attempt
and johnson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. VanDam is lucky that one didn't land flush.
VanDam tries for a takedown but johnson circles away easily
and johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by VanDam.
johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
VanDam avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab from johnson.
matt johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
VanDam stuffs the takedown.
VanDam takes a kick to the side of the head.
johnson throws a body punch but VanDam moves out of range.
VanDam looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin VanDam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
johnson misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
VanDam tries for a takedown but johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A right-left combo lands from johnson.
johnson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. VanDam takes a step back to recover.
VanDam takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A left and a right from johnson both land. Nice combination.

Kevin VanDam's cut is getting worse.
VanDam defends well against a solid takedown attempt from johnson.
johnson lands a nice shot that snaps VanDam's head back.
VanDam fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
johnson throws a sloppy head kick and VanDam moves out of range easily.
johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from VanDam.
VanDam blocks a head kick by johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
johnson wants to clinch up but VanDam keeps it at a distance.
johnson swinging wildly here.
VanDam doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from VanDam.
johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick from johnson lands but VanDam takes it in his stride.
johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
VanDam circles away from the clinch attempt.
johnson lands with a slapping head kick.
VanDam misses with a takedown attempt
and johnson counters with a left to the body.
VanDam dodges the punch combination from johnson.

And that's the end of the fight!
matt johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

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