PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between brandon vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrew Johnson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

vera
vs
Johnson

186 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

193 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, brandon vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrew Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for vera with that takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. vera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
vera moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A big right from Johnson misses.
vera could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

vera moves into range and clinches up with Johnson.
vera taking a breather.
vera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Johnson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

vera breaks from the clinch.

vera closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - vera lands in his opponent's guard.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. vera is aware though and is defending well.

Johnson is working an open guard so vera takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
vera blocks a low kick nicely.
Horrible takedown by vera or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for brandon vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt

and vera counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by vera.
Johnson looks gassed!
Johnson 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
vera wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
vera passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
vera wants to stand up but Johnson has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.

vera is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnson unloading with bombs!
vera is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount and vera is in trouble!
vera swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Johnson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Johnson with the ground and pound from mount.
Johnson with a couple of short strikes.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Johnson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, vera has worked his arm free - good work by vera!
vera wants to control but Johnson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
vera wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson landing strikes.
Johnson scoring with punches from side control.
Johnson working the head with strikes.
vera is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
vera is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

brandon vera dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A head kick by Johnson misses

and vera counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Johnson is not content to let vera control the position.
vera is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Johnson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

vera is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnson sees it coming and defends easily.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson wants to stand but vera is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice defenses there by vera.
brandon vera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
vera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from vera.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.
vera fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and vera counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
vera wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing vera from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but vera defends easily.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing vera from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but vera is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
vera looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
vera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson cracks vera with a solid left hand.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnson tries to stand and escape but vera is controlling the position.
vera is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Johnson seems to be looking for submissions.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. vera doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
vera tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

brandon vera dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

vera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
vera has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
vera fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses

and vera counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Johnson!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Johnson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting vera here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Johnson trying to control but vera postures up.

vera is looking for a kimura here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
vera wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.
Johnson is doing well to control the position and prevent vera from advancing to side control.

vera seems to be looking for submissions.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of vera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take vera's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Johnson.
Johnson gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
I really don't envy vera right now.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Johnson.

Johnson is looking for the choke from the back position but vera is controlling his hands well.
vera staying busy and making it hard for Johnson to control.
brandon vera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
vera trying to control the action but Johnson just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
vera is trapped and Johnson is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Johnson avoiding vera 's attempts to control his hands.
Can vera hold on?! Johnson is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
vera tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
vera is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.
vera is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
vera is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Andrew Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
Johnson with a couple of short strikes.
Johnson scoring with strikes but vera is staying in there.
vera tries to reverse the position but Johnson maintains control.
brandon vera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Johnson is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, vera has managed to escape the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think vera has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... brandon vera!