PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between john johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Royce Gracie has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with john johnson's chin.

johnson
vs
Gracie

185 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

195 cm
24
184 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, john johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Reed Andrews and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts johnson as he jumps to the side.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says johnson as he avoids it easily.

Gracie gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing johnson from controlling successfully.
johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
johnson is stalling in the full guard.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. johnson defends it easily.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing johnson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
johnson is looking to advance position but Gracie has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
johnson tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but johnson bucks and avoids them well.
johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Gracie avoids the attempt from johnson to control.
Gracie lands with some vicious ground and pound - can johnson hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
johnson tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Gracie goes for an armbar but johnson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from johnson.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of john johnson.

johnson gets the takedown into side control.
johnson wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
johnson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gracie is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
johnson trying to control the position but Gracie is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gracie, who protects the arm well.
johnson trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
johnson wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

johnson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gracie has his takedown stuffed

and johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gracie's guard.
johnson trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

johnson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gracie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gracie has escaped and now he's on top!
Gracie postures up.
Gracie trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie 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.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
johnson content to stall in guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of john johnson.

johnson feints and as Gracie raises his hands in defense, johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
johnson is pushing down on Gracie's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gracie is fighting to maintain full guard but johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.

johnson decides to return to a standing position.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gracie misses with a takedown

and johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Gracie fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
johnson trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

johnson stands up from Gracie's guard - johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.

johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but Gracie is defending well.

johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
johnson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson working away.
Gracie is trying to improve his position.
johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
johnson working the ground and pound.
Gracie is not content to let johnson control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A lazy left from johnson finds it's target.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by johnson.
john johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
johnson wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
johnson wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

john johnson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. johnson smiles and moves away.

johnson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
johnson trying to mount his opponent but Gracie defends it.

johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

johnson stands up and beckons Gracie to join him on the feet.

johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Gracie jumps guard but johnson stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

johnson tightens his grip and picks Gracie up, before dumping him to the ground. Gracie manages to land in guard.

Gracie working for a triangle but johnson defends it easily.
johnson trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Royce Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

johnson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gracie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of johnson, into his guard.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! johnson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.
Gracie keeping full guard, as johnson tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
johnson trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
john johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
johnson trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of john johnson.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from johnson.
john johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gracie is trying to defend but johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
johnson wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.
johnson stalling.
johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
johnson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
john johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

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