PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Beauvais (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Beauvais
vs
Johnson

186 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Beauvais!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Beauvais.

Johnson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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.
Beauvais throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Beauvais throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Beauvais trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Beauvais 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.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Beauvais!
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Beauvais is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Beauvais. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Beauvais that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Johnson controlling from the full mount.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anthony Johnson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Beauvais sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Beauvais has his takedown stuffed

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Beauvais's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Beauvais is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Beauvais closes the distance looking to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beauvais is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Beauvais looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Beauvais trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Beauvais misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Beauvais's guard now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Beauvais is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Beauvais, up you get!
Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Beauvais gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Beauvais is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.
Anthony Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Beauvais looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson stands and steps away. Beauvais gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Beauvais wants to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Beauvais won't be happy with that.
Beauvais gets back to half guard.
Beauvais is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.

Johnson stands up from half guard.
Beauvais steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Johnson. That one must have hurt.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Beauvais moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Beauvais fails with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Beauvais's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Beauvais is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Beauvais tries to sprawl but Johnson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Johnson stands up and beckons Beauvais to join him on the feet.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Beauvais escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Beauvais swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

James Beauvais has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Beauvais sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson prevents Beauvais from improving his position.

Johnson escapes and gets back to his feet.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Beauvais is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Beauvais really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Johnson looking to finish Beauvais with some ground and pound. This is bad for Beauvais!
Johnson working Beauvais over with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beauvais wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Beauvais throwing hammer fists to the chest of Johnson. What's that going to do exactly?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Beauvais is in all sorts of trouble here.
Beauvais regains half guard.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson decides to stand up.
Beauvais with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Beauvais is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson is taking a breather. Beauvais says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Beauvais punching from the bottom.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anthony Johnson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Beauvais off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Johnson stands up and waves to Beauvais to follow him.

Beauvais gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Beauvais is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
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 Beauvais walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.

Beauvais pulls guard successfully.
Beauvais not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Beauvais is keeping the position.
Beauvais doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Beauvais throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Johnson escapes and throws Beauvais's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Johnson working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A lull in the action here as Johnson stalls from top position.

Johnson decides to take the fight back to the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson 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 William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:30

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