PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David's entrance music is Bring The Pain. A fine choice. Anthony Johnson struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. On his way into the cage it seems that Xavier David has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Xavier David seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

David
vs
Johnson

190 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
174 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Anthony Taglia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
David will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johnson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
No luck for David with that takedown attempt.

David moves into range and clinches up with Johnson.
David tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
David prevents a takedown attempt there.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
David shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier David. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

David gets in close and instigates a clinch.
David is stalling here.

David gets a trip takedown into half guard.

David 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. David eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson wants to improve his position but David is controlling well.

David stands up out of the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.

David shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
David tries to control but Johnson wriggling away.
David takes Johnson's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Johnson is in trouble.
David is trying to stick to Johnson's back but Johnson is turning into David. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in David's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Johnson.
Johnson wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. David is keeping the position for now.
David 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.

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.

David 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from David's guard.
David is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Johnson preventing the sweep.

David working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

David looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
David trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
David manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

David has control of Johnson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Johnson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
David working the ground and pound effectively.

David is standing up, even though he is in mount.
David shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt

and David counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
David manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Johnson has David pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. David manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

David jumps into guard, dragging Johnson to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now David is on top in guard.
David pushes down on Johnson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

David is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from David.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

David stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnson to get to his feet.
David doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. David fights it but they end up in guard.

Johnson has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing David to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Johnson is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - David pulls down on the head and he's put Johnson to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Xavier David!