PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Long (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.

Long
vs
Johnson

172 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

175 cm
21
147 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

1337 ANZAC

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 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, David Long!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Long lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Long with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A slapping body kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Long circles away.
Long scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Long throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Long is looking to chop away at Johnson's legs.
Long throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Long works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Long defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.

Johnson has closed the distance and engaged Long in a clinch.
Long is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Long wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Long wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.
Long avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Long throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Long blocks the elbow strike.
Long wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Long in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like David Long has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Long blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Long wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long avoids a wild elbow strike from Johnson.
Long blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Long's brow.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.
Long working aggressively here.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice elbow from Johnson.
Long takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Long has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Long is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Long has his back to the cage.
Long stops a takedown attempt from Johnson.
David Long has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Johnson.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Long breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Long misses with a body shot.
Long throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Long misses with a hook.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Long sees coming a mile off.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Long is working Johnson over against the cage.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Long's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Long is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Long avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Long's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Long avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Long 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.
Long tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Long takes an elbow to the forehead.
Johnson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Long tries to tie him up.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Long's efforts to push away.
Long throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Long is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Long is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Long in his tracks for a moment.
Long can't break the clinch.
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 David Long's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Long rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Long counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Long misses with a double jab.
Nice straight punches there by Long. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Long.
Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Long takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Long is proving a slippery customer.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Long can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson is trying to keep Long in close.
Johnson working a defensive guard but Long passes into half guard.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Long wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Long manages to pass to mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Long isn't that keen on the idea.

Long is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Johnson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Long misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Long is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Long down to the mat. Long avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Long keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Long shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
David Long has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Johnson.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Long lands a nice shot that snaps Johnson's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Long changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Long rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Long lands a jab to the head.
David Long is winning the standup battle so far.
Some bone on bone action there as Long checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Johnson pushes off an throws an elbow but Long leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Long looking to stall.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Johnson has Long pressed against the cage, preventing Long from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Long can't find room to land a body shot as Johnson controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anthony Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on David Long's cut.
That's time! Long's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Long turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Long tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Long takes an elbow to the forehead.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Long in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Long trying to control the position but instead, Johnson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Long into the cage.
Long avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Long dodges an elbow strike from Johnson.
Johnson prevents Long from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the cage.
Anthony Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Johnson throws an elbow but misses.
Long is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Long looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Long.
Johnson pushes off an throws an elbow but Long leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Long takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Long misses with a punch on the inside.
Long lands a right hand.
Long tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson keeps control of Long as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Johnson throws an elbow but misses.

Long pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Long will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Long throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Long circles away.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Johnson goes for an armbar but Long turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Long.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Johnson working for a triangle but Long defends it easily.
Long wants to stand but Johnson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson has Long pulled in close to control his posture.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Long is one step ahead there.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Long defends well.
David Long has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Long avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Anthony Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Long controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Long from controlling successfully.
Johnson pulls Long in close to his closed guard and prevents Long from doing any damage or advancing position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Johnson!
After the big win, Anthony Johnson made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors 1337 ANZAC and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.