PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bob Baxter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrew Johnson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Baxter
vs
Johnson

195 cm
24
260 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
276 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue 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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bob Baxter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrew Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Baxter connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Baxter shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Johnson eats them both and turns towards Baxter to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Baxter lands a jab-cross combination.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Baxter has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baxter goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.
Baxter wants a takedown but no success here.

Johnson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Baxter prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Baxter dives into side control.
Baxter content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson bucks up and tries to throw Baxter off but instead Baxter has got his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Baxter has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxter wants to control but Johnson manages to buck him off and is now in Baxter's guard! Nice work there by Johnson!
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Baxter has wrist control.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Baxter blocks nicely.

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.
Johnson works over Baxter with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baxter on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baxter tries to get out of the position.
Baxter preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson postures up in Baxter's guard and throws a big left but Baxter blocks it.
Baxter preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Johnson throwing shots but Baxter is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Baxter dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Baxter drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Baxter wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is trying to escape the position but Baxter is controlling the position.
Johnson tries to escape but Baxter is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Baxter.
Johnson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Baxter landing a few strikes.
Johnson stops Baxter from passing to mount.
Johnson parries the strikes from Baxter easily there. Baxter is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Johnson to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baxter controlling the position.
Baxter tries to advance to mount but can't.
Baxter landing a few strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to escape but Baxter is in control.
Baxter trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Baxter controls the position.
Baxter tries to score with some ground and pound. Johnson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Baxter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Baxter taking a breather here.
Baxter wants to take a breather but Johnson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Baxter.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson wants to stand but Baxter is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Baxter dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Baxter closes the distance and clinches.
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 Baxter walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson with a poor takedown

and Baxter counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Baxter controlling the pace.
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Baxter sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter controlling the action here.
Johnson is looking to escape.

Bob Baxter has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Johnson dives in and grabs Baxter's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baxter pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Bob Baxter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Johnson.
Johnson with a poor takedown
and Baxter counters with a left and a right that stings Johnson.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
letting Baxter counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baxter is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Baxter stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Baxter seems content to control.
Baxter is pressing down on Johnson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnson is holding on for now.
Baxter takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Baxter has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bob Baxter wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Baxter scores a takedown into full mount!
Baxter looking to finish Johnson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Johnson!
Johnson blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Baxter content just to control the position here.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Andrew Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bob Baxter overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baxter controlling from mount.
Bob Baxter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson throwing hammer fists to the chest of Baxter. What's that going to do exactly?

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Baxter showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baxter 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:26
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Baxter!