PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Timo Balles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wanderlei Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Balles
vs
Johnson

176 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
22
161 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Attliction

Infliction Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Timo Balles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wanderlei Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Balles changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson tries to bench press Balles off him but Balles keeps the position.
Johnson sneaks back into half guard.
Balles tries to stand but can't do so whilst Johnson controls his leg.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Balles doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Balles manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnson looks gassed!
Balles stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Balles can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Balles has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Johnson is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balles won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Balles pushes his legs off easily.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Balles pushes his legs off easily.
Balles stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Balles is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Johnson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Balles's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking to break Balles's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Balles remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Johnson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Balles controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Balles preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Johnson.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Johnson is persistently looking for the submission but Balles is defending it well.

Johnson working for a choke but Balles is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balles defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Johnson working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Balles is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Johnson has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Balles taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wanderlei Johnson!