PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cayden Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cayden Johnson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Johnson
vs
Matthews

155 cm
24
140 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

167 cm
25
137 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cayden Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Stephen Matthews!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Matthews looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Johnson tries to clinch but Matthews is having none of it.

Matthews clinches up against the cage.
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Matthews pulls his leg out and moves away.
Matthews thows a leg kick but Johnson checks it

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Matthews won't be happy with that.
Johnson controls the position.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Matthews for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cayden Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Matthews rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A right handed body shot lands from Matthews.
Johnson is working for takedown but Matthews is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cayden Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matthews.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Matthews is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Matthews down to the mat. Matthews avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews darts in trying to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Matthews's guard now.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Cayden Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Matthews stuffs the takedown.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Matthews enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Matthews manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Cayden Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matthews looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cayden Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson shoots for a takedown but Matthews saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A low kick from Matthews is predictable there

and Johnson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matthews prevents it.
Matthews struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cayden Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson is trying to drag Matthews to the mat but Matthews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Matthews lands with a left to the head.
Matthews is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Matthews fails to land.
Matthews prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matthews.
Johnson wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Matthews is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matthews prevents it.
Matthews prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Matthews holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Matthews pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matthews wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matthews tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Matthews prevents it.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Good body shot from Matthews.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matthews goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matthews lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Matthews tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnson obliges.
Johnson is trying to drag Matthews to the mat but Matthews just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Good body shot from Matthews.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Matthews 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!

Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Matthews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Matthews swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Matthews closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side
and Johnson counters with a nice body kick.
Matthews avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matthews darts in trying to clinch

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Matthews takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Matthews trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.

Cayden Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Matthews swings away with a body shot that misses

and Johnson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.

Cayden Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Johnson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Matthews. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Matthews sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cayden Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Matthews keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Matthews tries to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Matthews won't be happy with that.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Matthews to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Matthews was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cayden Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Matthews keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Matthews darts in trying to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Matthews won't be happy with that.
Johnson working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee asks Johnson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Johnson prefers to stall for the moment though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cayden Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28

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