PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Red Rum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Rum

173 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
21
149 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Red Rum!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Skip Squint and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rum fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Rum.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Rum shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.

Rum shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rum looks gassed!
Rum throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rum throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rum is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rum manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Rum's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Johnson stands up and waves to Rum to follow him.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Johnson clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.

Johnson clinches with his opponent.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Michael Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Rum.
Johnson tries to break free but Rum pushes him back against the cage.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson throws a head kick but Rum moves out of range.

Johnson instigates a clinch.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Johnson rushes Rum and presses him up against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Rum tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rum misses with a double jab

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rum changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A left lands for Johnson.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Johnson lands a jab to Rum's midsection.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson stalling.
Rum wants a takedown.
Rum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rum.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rum displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Rum checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rum tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Johnson pulls guard.
Rum working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rum won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Johnson has control of Rum's left arm, preventing Rum from doing any damage.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rum manages to get himself to full guard.

Rum looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Rum's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rum is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Rum blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Johnson wants to stand but Rum has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Rum keeps moving.

Johnson stands up from Rum's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
A right-left combo lands from Johnson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Rum sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A left lands for Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson blocks a jab.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rum.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Rum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rum looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Rum takes it in his stride.

Johnson rushes Rum and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rum is keeping busy.
Johnson slows down the pace here.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson cracks the inside of Rum's front leg.
Rum takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johnson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Rum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Johnson.
Rum is breathing heavily.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rum takes a body punch but keeps moving.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Rum's leg. Rum is trying to keep his angry face on.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rum.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rum at a distance.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rum counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rum.
Johnson throws a combination. Rum tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Danga de danga de dang - Johnson scores with a four punch combination!
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson is working the combinations to good effect here.
Johnson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Johnson is looking to wear down Rum with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rum shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rum gets slowly back to his feet.
Michael Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Rum.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson clinches.
A body shot lands from Johnson.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rum takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters circling a little - Johnson finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Rum against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break free.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Johnson scores with a four punch combination!
Johnson throws a series of punches but Rum moves out of range.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Johnson lands with an uppercut that bounces Rum off the cage and back into rage.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Johnson scores with a one two! Rum had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rum takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Rum sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rum takes a step back to recover.
Rum has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johnson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rum is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Rum circles away and we're back to standing.
Rum avoids a punch combination nicely.
A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.
Rum shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rum. That did some damage!
Johnson cracks the inside of Rum's front leg.
Johnson works over Rum's head and body with a nice combination.
Rum takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rum shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Left hook, right uppercut from Johnson.
Rum's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Johnson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A nice combination there by Johnson.
Johnson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Johnson has Rum up against the cage in a clinch.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rum!
Johnson content just to control the position here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson trying to control but Rum is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rum tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rum somewhat.
Rum takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Michael Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rum can do to turn this around?
Johnson throws a series of strikes that have Rum backpedaling.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson scores with a shoulder strike.
Johnson connects with a knee to the head.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Rum takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Johnson lands a jab-cross combination.
Rum stuffs the takedown.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Johnson digs a good body shot into Rum's ribs.

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Rum back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson pulls guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Rum is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Rum is having none of it.
Rum working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rum!
Rum tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rum is looking to escape.
Rum tries to reverse the position but Johnson maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling from the full mount.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rum tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson trying to control but Rum is having none of it.
Johnson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rum is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Johnson wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Johnson clinches up with Rum and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Johnson closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rum drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rum has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson lands a jab-cross combination.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.

Rum tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Red Rum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rum stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Rum fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Michael Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Rum.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson jabs Rum right on the nose. Rum blinks but takes it well.
Rum takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Johnson rushes Rum and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson just leaning against Rum, taking a breather.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson tries to clinch but Rum is having none of it.
Rum shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rum defends it nicely.
Johnson scores with a spinning back kick!
Michael Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Michael Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:26
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:26
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Johnson!