PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marc Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Highway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by disturbed - warrior. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Johnson
vs
Highway

225 cm
24
226 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

201 cm
18
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

HATE Technologies Q-159 Recovery
HATE Technologies Q-159 Recovery

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Highway fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Highway counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson trying to stall but Highway improves his position.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Highway stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Highway wants it to stay on the feet.
Highway throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

Highway closes the distance and clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Highway just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnson's brow.
Highway tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Highway unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Highway stops Johnson from standing up.
Highway preventing the sweep.
Johnson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Highway puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Highway is controlling him well.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highway is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Highway's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Highway moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Johnson seems a little lost for a moment, as Highway dominates the positioning.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson is trying to escape the position but Highway is controlling the position.
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Highway from improving position.
Highway moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Highway has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four 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.
Highway tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Johnson wants to control but Highway is having none of it.
Highway looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Highway avoids the attempt from Johnson to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Highway dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Highway wants to clinch.
Highway looks to clinch

and Johnson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Highway tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Highway trying to land knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Highway.
Knees in the clinch landing for Highway.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Highway lands a nice knee to the body.
Highway lands a nice knee to the body.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Highway tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Highway tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Highway utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Highway breaks the clinch.

Highway gets a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Highway landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Highway using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Highway breaks the clinch.
Highway wants to clinch but Johnson slips to the side

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Highway connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Marc Johnson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Highway obliges.
Highway throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson fails to pull guard.
Highway looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Highway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Highway tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Highway lands a head kick. Johnson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Highway.

Highway closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Highway.

Johnson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Highway moves into full guard.
Johnson throws and elbow that misses. Highway uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Highway!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controls Highway momentarily but Highway frees himself.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Highway is having none of it.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Highway looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Highway is controlling him.
Highway 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.
Highway wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Highway stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Highway tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Highway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Highway throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Johnson.

Highway has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Highway smiles and moves away.

Highway fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Highway with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Highway landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Highway tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Highway tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Highway with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Highway working Johnson over with knees to the body.
Highway is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Highway tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Highway.
Johnson wants a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Highway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marc Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Highway closes the distance and clinches.
Highway with a knee to the head.

Highway's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick misses from Highway.

Highway clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
Highway with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Highway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Highway bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Highway instigates a clinch.
Highway has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Highway has double underhooks.
Highway with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Highway keeps him there for the moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Highway.
Highway unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Highway won't allow it.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Highway obliges.
Highway tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters up against the cage, Highway throws an elbow but misses.
Highway tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highway tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Highway.
Johnson wants a takedown.
Highway landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Highway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Highway unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Highway manages to break the clinch.

Highway forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Highway throws an elbow that misses.
Highway looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Highway throws a knee to the head but misses.

Highway breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Highway moves out of range.
Highway checks a leg kick nicely.
Highway tries to clinch

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson avoiding damage as Highway throws knees to the body.
Highway misses with a knee strike.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Highway fakes the leg kick and cracks Johnson in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Highway misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Highway wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Highway fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Highway moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Highway tries to clinch up.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Highway's waist but Highway gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Highway wants to clinch.
Highway is looking to clinch.
Highway is looking to clinch.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Highway fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highway tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Highway clinches up against the cage.
Highway throws an elbow that misses.
Thomas Highway seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Highway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.
Highway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.

Highway breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick by Johnson misses

and Highway counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Highway.
Johnson avoiding damage as Highway throws knees to the body.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Highway has the dominant position.
Highway throws an elbow but it misses.

Highway breaks from the clinch.
Johnson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Highway wants to clinch
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Highway shrugs it off.
Thomas Highway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Highway tries to clinch
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Highway wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Highway tries to clinch up.
Highway wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Highway has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Marc Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Highway keeps him there for the moment.
Highway lands a knee to the body.
Highway using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Highway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Highway's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Highway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Highway has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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... Thomas Highway!