PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donnie Badge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Brooklyn by Jay Z. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Johnson
vs
Badge

195 cm
27
260 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

194 cm
23
240 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kevin Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Donnie Badge!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Badge pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.

Badge is trying to trip Johnson. He has hold of a leg but Johnson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Badge persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Johnson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Badge uses it to pass to side control.
Johnson is looking to regain half guard here but Badge keeps moving and retains side control.
Badge remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Badge is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Badge stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Badge counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Johnson.
Badge cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Badge looks for the body kick but Johnson saw that one coming.
Kevin Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Johnson.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A head kick by Johnson misses
and Badge counters with a left to the body.
Johnson fails with the takedown

and Badge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Badge.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Badge walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson lands a head kick. Badge smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Badge counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Badge throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Badge counters with a takedown into side control.

Badge decides to stand back up. Badge steps back and let's Johnson get back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Badge.
Badge lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Badge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Badge closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
Badge is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Badge working Johnson over with strikes.
Still in half guard, Badge seems content to control.

Badge stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Badge throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Badge connects with a nice looking jab.
A good leg kick by Badge.
Badge with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Badge.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Badge lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Johnson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Johnson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Badge closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Johnson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Badge to score an easy takedown into full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Badge defends it easily.
Badge is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Badge passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Badge is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnson gets back to full guard.
Badge is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Badge dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Badge shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnson's guard.
Badge has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Johnson is proving hard to escape from.

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

Johnson has an active guard here but Badge has managed to pass into half guard.
Badge winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Badge scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Johnson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Badge gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Badge sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Johnson's guard.
Badge tries to stand and escape but Johnson is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badge scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Badge working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Badge is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Badge wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is not content to let Badge control the position.
Badge prevents Johnson from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Badge is aware though and is defending well.
Badge trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Badge gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Badge has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Badge got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Badge has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Badge not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

Johnson is working an open guard so Badge takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Badge moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Badge moves into range and clinches up with Johnson.

Johnson pulls Badge into guard.

Badge decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick from Badge.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Badge counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Donnie Badge seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Badge counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Badge.
Badge trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Badge decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Badge works the jab nicely.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Badge counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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 tries for a takedown but Badge circles away easily
and Badge counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Badge throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Badge dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Badge has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Badge just stands there and leans against the cage.

Badge gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Badge decides to stand and escape the position.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Badge counters with a left to the body.
A left lands for Badge.

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

Badge stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnson to get to his feet.
Badge throws a head kick that misses.

Badge gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Badge showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Badge fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Badge persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Badge stands up from Johnson's guard - Badge perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Badge counters with a leg kick.
Badge cracks Johnson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Johnson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Johnson misses with a combination
and Badge counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Badge uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Badge counters with a body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson blocks a head kick by Badge.
A good leg kick by Badge.
Badge moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Badge comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick.
Badge lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Badge throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Badge is looking to land body kicks.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Badge gets a clinch.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Badge walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Badge sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Badge counters with a one-two to the body.
Badge scores with a spinning back kick!

Badge decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Badge takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Badge is aware though and is defending well.
Badge must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Badge stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Badge throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Badge is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Badge moves out of range easily.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Badge moves away.
Badge thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson misses with a takedown
and Badge makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Badge. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Badge does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Badge misses with a leg kick.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Badge shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Badge passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to work for a sweep but Badge has mounted him!
Badge is landing with some decent strikes but Johnson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Badge get's back to his feet.
Badge scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Badge.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Badge counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Johnson thinking.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Badge counters with a left to the body.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Badge counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Badge can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Badge avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Badge 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 working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Badge doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Badge manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Badge content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kevin Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Badge trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.
Donnie Badge is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Badge doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Badge manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie Badge comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Badge has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie Badge!