PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gunna Richardson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richardson 's entrance music is Show Goes On - Jon Connor. A fine choice. Gunna Richardson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Richardson
vs
Johnson

165 cm
21
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
19
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gunna Richardson !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Richardson tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Richardson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Richardson keeps it at a distance.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Richardson .
Johnson tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to clinch
and Richardson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Richardson throws a head kick that misses

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Richardson from breaking the clinch.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Richardson dodges an elbow strike from Johnson.
Richardson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Richardson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Gunna Richardson has been cut.
Richardson working hard to break the clinch.
Richardson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Richardson is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.
Richardson is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Richardson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that Richardson shrugs off.
Richardson avoids a wild elbow strike from Johnson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.

Richardson 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richardson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Richardson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Richardson .
Richardson shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Richardson 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunna Richardson . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richardson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson wants to stand up but Richardson is controlling him.
Richardson won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Richardson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richardson scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Richardson is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson content just to control the position here.
Let's hope that Johnson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four 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.
Richardson tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Richardson is looking to escape.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Anthony Johnson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gunna Richardson '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.

Johnson tries to clinch but Richardson moves away
and Richardson counters with a nice body shot.
Richardson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Richardson blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Richardson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Richardson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Richardson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Richardson misses with a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richardson digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Johnson throws the left hand but Richardson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson throws out a leg kick but Johnson moves out of range and Richardson only half commits.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Richardson circles away.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Richardson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Richardson moves out of range easily.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Richardson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gunna Richardson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richardson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Richardson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson darts in trying to clinch
and Richardson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
Richardson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Richardson circles away.
Johnson leaves Richardson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richardson swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richardson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Richardson .

Richardson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Richardson .
Richardson is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Richardson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Richardson trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Richardson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Richardson is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Richardson to get the leverage.
Richardson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Richardson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richardson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Richardson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunna Richardson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gunna Richardson 's cut.
That's time! Richardson 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnson avoids the head kick by Richardson .
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richardson misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Richardson throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Richardson .
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Richardson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Richardson blocks the body kick.
Richardson shoots in but no luck this time.
Richardson misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Richardson circles away.
Richardson throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
Johnson blocks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Richardson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson thows a leg kick but Johnson checks it
and Johnson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Richardson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Richardson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Anthony Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Richardson pushes him off.
Johnson tries to clinch but Richardson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Richardson .
Johnson delivers a nice body kick.
Richardson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a leg kick.
Johnson delivers a nice body kick.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richardson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Richardson moves out of range of the body kick.
Richardson misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

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