PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sawyer (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 is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Sawyer
vs
johnson

190 cm
25
191 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
188 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samuel Sawyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, matt johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sawyer throws an overhand right that lands on johnson's shoulder, as johnson tries to avoid the shot.
johnson blocks a jab.
Samuel Sawyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sawyer with a jab.
Sawyer loads up on a big right hand but johnson slips the punch.
Sawyer misses with a hook. johnson ducked under it nicely.
johnson tries to clinch up.
Sawyer scores with a jab.

Sawyer drops johnson with a right and a left! Sawyer comes rushing in but johnson regains his composure and manages to keep Sawyer in guard.

johnson is rocked!

It looks like matt johnson has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
johnson is still in real trouble! Can Sawyer finish him?
johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sawyer.
johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
johnson is trying to control the position but Sawyer postures up.
Sawyer being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sawyer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sawyer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A swing and a miss from Sawyer.
johnson ducks under a wild hook from Sawyer.
Sawyer throws an overhand right that lands on johnson's shoulder, as johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Sawyer missing with a left hand there. johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sawyer.
Sawyer throws a hook but johnson avoids it easily.
johnson is looking to clinch.

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.
Sawyer tests johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sawyer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
johnson moves forwards but Sawyer connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sawyer stuffs the takedown.
johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sawyer but Sawyer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Samuel Sawyer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of matt johnson.
johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
johnson is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sawyer is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for johnson.
johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

johnson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
johnson wants to control from the top but Sawyer keeps moving.
johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sawyer managing to control the position.
johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sawyer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
johnson wants to control from the top but Sawyer keeps moving.
Sawyer wants to stand up but johnson is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sawyer throws a jab when johnson was well out of range.
A big right from Sawyer misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sawyer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sawyer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Sawyer tries to sprawl out of it but johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sawyer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

johnson gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Sawyer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on matt johnson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from johnson.
Nice defenses there by johnson.
johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sawyer throws out the jab.
Sawyer misses with a looping left.
johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sawyer.
Sawyer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sawyer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sawyer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Samuel Sawyer is winning the standup battle so far.

johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sawyer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sawyer bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
johnson slips under a jab from Sawyer.

johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

johnson has hold of Sawyer's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sawyer manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer is trying to escape the mount.
johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
johnson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two 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.
johnson punching from mount but Sawyer doing a good job of avoiding damage.
johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

johnson looking to secure an arm triangle but Sawyer defends it well.
Sawyer wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by johnson.

johnson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sawyer is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
johnson trying to control the position.
Sawyer throwing strikes from guard but johnson blocks nicely.
Sawyer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sawyer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. johnson is keeping the position for now.
Sawyer throws a strike but johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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.
Sawyer keeping moving, preventing johnson from controlling successfully.
johnson looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sawyer.
Sawyer throws a hook to the side of johnson's head but johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Sawyer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Samuel Sawyer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on matt johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

johnson staying out of range there.
Sawyer stuffs the takedown attempt from johnson. johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
johnson moves out of range as Sawyer strikes.
johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sawyer.
johnson shoots in for a takedown but Sawyer shows good takedown defense.
A jab from Sawyer misses.
johnson staying out of range there.
Sawyer is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sawyer tries to avoid it but johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sawyer to the ground. Sawyer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Samuel Sawyer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of matt johnson.
Sawyer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sawyer misses with a looping left.
Sawyer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sawyer misses the jab.
Sawyer throws the left hand but johnson avoids the punch easily.
johnson slips under a jab from Sawyer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

johnson closes the distance and clinches.
johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sawyer prevents it.
johnson has Sawyer pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sawyer manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
johnson tries for a takedown but Sawyer manages to get underhooks.
johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
johnson has Sawyer pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sawyer manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Sawyer pulls guard.
johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
johnson trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.
johnson wants to pass the guard but Sawyer is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer keeping moving, preventing johnson from controlling successfully.
johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sawyer's guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sawyer throws a right hand that johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that johnson also avoids with ease.
johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sawyer sprawls well. Sawyer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sawyer throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
matt johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sawyer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sawyer wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Sawyer as johnson shoots in.
Sawyer lands a jab to the nose.
Sawyer throws a big shot that misses.
Samuel Sawyer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A slow jab from Sawyer misses its intended target.
A left and a right from Sawyer both land. Nice combination.
johnson shoots in and drives through. Sawyer sprawls well.
johnson needs to keep his hands up - Sawyer had a free shot at his head there.
Sawyer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
johnson moves away from the strike by Sawyer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer looks to land a left hand but johnson moved out of range nicely.
Sawyer lands a head shot.
Sawyer thows a left - swing and a miss!
johnson shoots for a takedown but Sawyer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Sawyer missing with a left hand there. johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sawyer throws the left hand but johnson avoids the punch easily.
Sawyer throws a right hand that johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that johnson also avoids with ease.
Sawyer misses with a looping right.
No luck for johnson with that takedown attempt.
johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sawyer's waist but Sawyer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing johnson off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Sawyer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sawyer, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Sawyer!