PBP Commentary

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

Johnson
vs
Marley

182 cm
30
192 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

190 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Tj Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Lester Marley!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marley throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Marley works over Johnson's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Tj Johnson has been cut.
Marley throws a combination that misses

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Marley's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Marley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marley manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Marley's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Marley's guard.
Marley is in trouble now - Johnson has advanced to mount!
Marley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Johnson looking for a guillotine from mount but Marley is having none of it.
Marley tries to buck Johnson off but he can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson working for a submission but Marley is keeping him at bay.

Johnson looking to secure an arm triangle but Marley defends it well.

Johnson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Marley is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Marley and Johnson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Marley is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Marley, who protects the arm well.

Johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but Marley is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries for a kimura but Marley is defending well.
Marley wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Marley, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marley pushes Johnson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Johnson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Marley, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tj Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tj Johnson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Marley is looking to clinch.

Marley closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Marley to keep the fight standing.

Marley breaks the clinch.
Johnson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marley.
Lester Marley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Johnson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marley defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Marley is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Marley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Marley is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Marley is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Marley pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.

Marley is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marley has managed to free his arm - good work.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Marley doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marley looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tj Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tj Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Johnson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marley.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Marley which made him look bad.
A combination from Marley does no damage.

Marley drops Johnson with a beautiful combination! Johnson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Marley is looking for the KO!
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!
Marley rushes Johnson with punches - Johnson moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, Johnson goes down! Marley follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lester Marley!
Lester Marley managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159+ Energy - $45, into his post fight interview.