PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabricio Werdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Werdum
vs
Johnson

194 cm
25
246 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
20
274 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fabricio Werdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Robert Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Werdum scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Werdum postures up.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Werdum postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Werdum is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson thowing shots but they're missing.
Werdum is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum avoids a series of strikes thrown by Johnson.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Werdum is looking to escape.
Werdum working to try and regain half guard.

Johnson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Werdum can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Johnson wants to control but Werdum has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Werdum is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Werdum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werdum is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Werdum keeps moving.
Werdum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Johnson has gone for a leg lock! Werdum slips out almost immediately though and dives into Johnson's guard.

Johnson working for submissions but it's allowed Werdum to get to half guard.

Johnson looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Werdum pushes past his half guard into mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Werdum content just to control the position here.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Werdum gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Werdum controlling from mount.
Johnson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Johnson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Werdum working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Johnson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Werdum postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Johnson to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Werdum drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Werdum is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Johnson regains half guard.
Werdum is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Werdum is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Werdum pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Werdum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Werdum has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fabricio Werdum will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Werdum has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Werdum avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Werdum just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Werdum wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Werdum is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Johnson can't fight it off and eventually Werdum manages to take the fight to the floor. Johnson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Werdum here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Werdum can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Werdum would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson has his foot on Werdum's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Werdum works his way back into a safe position though.
Werdum wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Werdum puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Johnson strikes from the bottom but Werdum passes into mount!
Werdum fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Werdum tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werdum controlling from the full mount.
Werdum connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Werdum controlling the pace for now.
Werdum trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Werdum is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Fabricio Werdum just wasn't active enough.
Werdum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Werdum waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Werdum swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Werdum circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Werdum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Werdum pushes his legs off easily.
Werdum has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Werdum is aware though and is defending well.

Werdum gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Werdum scores a takedown into full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Werdum manages to capitalize on a mistake by Johnson to take his back!
Johnson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabricio Werdum dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Werdum closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Werdum lands in his opponent's guard.

Werdum got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Werdum has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Werdum looking to pass the guard.
Werdum keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Werdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Werdum landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

Johnson is working an open guard so Werdum takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Werdum.
Johnson moves out of range as Werdum strikes.
Werdum throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.

Werdum clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werdum blocks an uppercut.
Werdum can't break the clinch.
Werdum stops a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.

Werdum turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Johnson regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Werdum wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Werdum is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Werdum wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson trying to control but Werdum postures up.
Johnson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Werdum is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Werdum to get the leverage.
Johnson gets back to full guard.
Johnson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Werdum won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Werdum is proving a slippery customer.
Werdum wants to get up but he can't break Johnson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Werdum controlling from the top position.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Werdum from controlling successfully.

Fabricio Werdum has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Werdum looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Johnson!
Johnson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Werdum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Werdum doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Werdum manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Robert Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fabricio Werdum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Werdum defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fabricio Werdum.
Well Werdum has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabricio Werdum!