PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between George Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sahraim Alib (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Through the Fire Flames- Dragonforce. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Alib

175 cm
27
172 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

170 cm
23
170 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sahraim Alib!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alib misses with a double jab.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
letting Alib counter with a right hand.
Johnson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Alib throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Alib blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a leg kick

and Alib counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
Alib working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alib makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Alib scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to stand but Alib is controlling the position.
Alib slips nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Alib there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Alib scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alib working Johnson over with strikes.
Johnson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Alib is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.

Johnson pushes Alib off and gets back to his feet.
Alib lands a leg kick that knocks Johnson off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Alib sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Alib.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
and Alib counters with a leg kick.
Alib scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Alib.
Alib lands with an uppercut that bounces Johnson off the cage and back into rage.
Alib is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Alib counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alib advances position into side control!
Alib creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Alib from improving position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson taking a bit of punishment here - Alib scoring with strikes.
Johnson is pushing Alib's head away, looking to escape. Alib manages to hold on to the position though.
The strikes coming from Alib are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Johnson pushes Alib away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Alib gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Alib throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Alib looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Johnson is avoiding damage well.
Alib wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Alib throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four 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.
The ground and pound from Alib seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Alib lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Johnson down.
Johnson is not content to let Alib control the position.
Alib tries to advance to mount but can't.
Alib landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Alib has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alib lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Alib looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Johnson is avoiding damage well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sahraim Alib 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.

Alib throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson tries to bum rush Alib with a series of wild strikes but Alib uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Alib, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Alib throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alib circles away.
Alib missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Alib lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Alib counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson shoots and misses
and Alib makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Alib lands a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alib showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alib darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Alib lands a body punch.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alib keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses

and Alib counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Alib.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Alib gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alib avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alib throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Alib scores with a nice hook to the head.
Alib lands with a short shot to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Alib is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Alib down to the mat. Alib avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Good exchange - Alib coming out on top.
George Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alib comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alib digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Alib scores with a leg kick.
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!
Alib ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A jab from Alib finds it's way through Johnson's defenses.

Alib closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Alib slowing the pace effectively.
Alib working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Alib gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Alib has Johnson pushed against the cage.

Alib gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Alib takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Alib tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alib wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Alib controlling the action here.
Johnson is not content to let Alib control the position.
Alib passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Johnson!
Alib sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's four 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.
Alib landing punches.
Alib controlling the position easily from mount.
Alib working Johnson over with strikes here.
Alib takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alib is trying to control here but Johnson has managed to regain half guard.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alib.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sahraim Alib showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Alib fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Alib tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson misses the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.

Alib gets a takedown into half guard.
Alib throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Alib prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Alib lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alib.
Alib throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Alib wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Alib throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Alib is stalling here. Johnson is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Alib seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Johnson has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Alib manages to get back to half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Alib is keeping him busy.
Alib is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two 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.

Alib kicks Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Johnson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Alib counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alib tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Alib trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alib passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to Alib's head to control him but Alib postures up.
Alib works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alib punching from mount but Johnson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Alib landing strikes from the mount and Johnson is in trouble!
Alib misses with a head shot.
Alib sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Johnson taking shots to the head.
Johnson is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alib punishing his opponent with strikes.
Alib pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Alib cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Alib working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is in no mood to give up.
Sahraim Alib has got the better of the ground game so far.
Alib controlling the pace for now.
Sahraim Alib is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sahraim Alib comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alib 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 26:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sahraim Alib!