PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kj Barakus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen lunatic fringe as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Barakus
vs
Johnson

183 cm
22
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
26
210 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kj Barakus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barakus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Barakus throws a strike aimed at the side of Johnson's head but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barakus's best efforts.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson trying to control here.
Barakus working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Barakus is controlling him well.
Barakus is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barakus.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barakus scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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!
Johnson is concentrating on defense, preventing Barakus from advancing position.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Barakus has control of the leg.
Johnson moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barakus working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barakus with a nice head shot there.
Barakus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barakus throws a big right hand that misses.
Barakus tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barakus passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Barakus is breathing heavily.
Barakus lands a couple of elbows.
Barakus lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barakus is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barakus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barakus 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barakus passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barakus scores with a couple of nice shots.
Barakus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barakus sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Barakus is controlling well.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barakus pulls his head out easily.
Barakus working Johnson over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barakus seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barakus scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Barakus is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson tries to roll over but Barakus keeps him under control.
Barakus lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Barakus.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barakus drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Barakus looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barakus is working away from the top position though.
Barakus drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Barakus in his half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Barakus is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barakus is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Barakus there.

Barakus decides to return to a standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kj Barakus dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barakus's waist but Barakus gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt

and Barakus decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
Barakus lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barakus chips away with some ground and pound.
Barakus scoring with punches to the head and body.
Barakus scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barakus is aware though and is defending well.
Barakus passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnson tries to bench press Barakus off him but Barakus keeps the position.
Barakus scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Johnson to see if he's OK.
Barakus landing strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Barakus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Check out the look on Barakus's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Barakus landing a few strikes.
Barakus landing a few strikes.
Barakus in side control lands a decent elbow.
Johnson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Johnson gets back to half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Barakus frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Barakus has a good base and remains in mount.
Barakus with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Barakus gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The referee warns Johnson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Johnson taking shots to the head.
Barakus with a couple of short strikes.

Barakus is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Johnson to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Johnson shrugs it off.
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson wants to control but Barakus is having none of it.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Barakus maintains control.
Barakus postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Johnson looks a forlorn figure.
Kj Barakus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barakus lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Johnson hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barakus lands with some strikes.
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barakus working Johnson over with strikes here.
Barakus lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Johnson hang on?
Barakus in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Barakus looking to finish Johnson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Johnson!

Johnson is rocked!
Barakus lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Johnson is still in real trouble! Can Barakus finish him?
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Barakus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Barakus with good strikes from the mount here!
Barakus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
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!
Barakus scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barakus working for a submission but Johnson is keeping him at bay.
Johnson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barakus content just to control the position here.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Barakus blocks Johnson's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barakus scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kj Barakus dominated that second round.
That's time! Barakus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Barakus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Barakus shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Barakus keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Barakus tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barakus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Barakus throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Barakus finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barakus chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barakus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barakus landing with the ground and pound.
Barakus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barakus's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Barakus defends easily.
Barakus lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barakus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barakus not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barakus is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson working for a triangle but Barakus defends it easily.

Johnson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Barakus escapes and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Barakus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barakus landing a few strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barakus in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Barakus works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Johnson tries to bench press Barakus off him but Barakus keeps the position.
Barakus is chipping away with strikes.
Johnson sneaks back into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barakus is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Barakus is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Barakus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barakus landing with the ground and pound.
Barakus is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barakus content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Barakus advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kj Barakus clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barakus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Barakus throws a predictable looking body shot

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Johnson prevents Barakus from improving his position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a head shot. Barakus uses the momentum to regain guard.
Barakus working a defensive guard but Johnson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Johnson working the ground and pound but Barakus is defending the strikes.
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Barakus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson wants to control but Barakus is keeping him busy.
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.
The strikes coming from Johnson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Barakus can't do much from the bottom here.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Johnson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Barakus is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Johnson is controlling him well.
Barakus is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Barakus is not content to let Johnson control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barakus is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barakus is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson tries to advance position but instead Barakus slips a leg back in to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson is looking to clinch but Barakus is avoiding it.

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Barakus in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Johnson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Barakus is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson avoids the attempt from Barakus to control.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johnson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with strikes but Barakus is staying in there.
Barakus tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Barakus is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Barakus is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Barakus is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson with shots to the head and body - Barakus looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barakus tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Johnson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Johnson tries to control but Barakus wriggling away.
Barakus tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson breaks from Barakus's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Johnson has control of Barakus's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Barakus regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thowing shots but they're missing.
Barakus squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Barakus is looking to escape.
Barakus keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thowing shots but they're missing.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Barakus takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Michael Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barakus tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barakus 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Kj Barakus!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Kj Barakus!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Kj Barakus!

Kj Barakus wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Kj Barakus thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.