PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vince Kershaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dwayne Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen The Rock Theme as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kershaw
vs
Johnson

188 cm
24
209 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

189 cm
24
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vince Kershaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dwayne Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kershaw misses.
Kershaw throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

It looks like Dwayne Johnson has been cut.
Kershaw throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Kershaw misses.
Vince Kershaw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kershaw thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kershaw will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kershaw throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Johnson has managed to clinch.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kershaw fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson has hold of one of Kershaw's legs. Kershaw is fighting the takedown attempt but Johnson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Kershaw looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson advances to half guard.

Johnson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
The fighters circle momentarily. Kershaw darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kershaw scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab by Kershaw.
Kershaw moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Kershaw avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kershaw misses with a jab to the body

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kershaw controlling Johnson's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Kershaw.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Kershaw is retaining full guard.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Kershaw is retaining full guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kershaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Kershaw blocks nicely.

Kershaw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kershaw looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Kershaw has wrist control.
Kershaw wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kershaw not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Kershaw blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.

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

Kershaw is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Kershaw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Kershaw is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kershaw is on top in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kershaw's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kershaw works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kershaw is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vince Kershaw dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kershaw misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson leaves Kershaw with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kershaw's waist but Kershaw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson slips a jab from Kershaw.
Kershaw dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage!
Dwayne Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kershaw looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Kershaw persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Kershaw tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vince Kershaw. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Kershaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kershaw napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kershaw is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnson connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Kershaw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kershaw some visible discomfort.
Kershaw manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kershaw is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Kershaw defending well.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kershaw has his foot on Johnson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnson works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kershaw manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Johnson trying to control the position.
Kershaw stops Johnson from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kershaw drops back, looking for a kneebar! Johnson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Johnson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Johnson!
Johnson lands some shots froms side control.
Johnson working the head with strikes.
Johnson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Johnson scoring with punches and elbows.

Johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kershaw keeps working.
Kershaw tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Johnson landing strikes.
Kershaw is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kershaw is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnson connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Kershaw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kershaw is looking for a sweep.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kershaw takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes there by Johnson.
Kershaw is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Johnson off and has taken his back!
Kershaw trying to control momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Johnson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kershaw keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kershaw as he avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kershaw. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Vince Kershaw is winning the standup battle so far.
Kershaw throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Kershaw fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Kershaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kershaw fails to land the takedown.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Kershaw circles away.
Kershaw throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kershaw uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kershaw shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Kershaw tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Kershaw defends the submission attempt.
Kershaw wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kershaw works his way to full guard. Good work.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kershaw is on top in guard.

That's two 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!
Kershaw throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kershaw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kershaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kershaw trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson connects with a couple of short punches.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Johnson winds up and cracks Kershaw with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.

Kershaw is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Johnson 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.
Kershaw is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kershaw avoid being mounted?
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kershaw won't allow Johnson to pass to mount.
Kershaw works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
Kershaw throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kershaw avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Johnson controls Kershaw momentarily but Kershaw frees himself.
Johnson working a defensive guard but Kershaw manages to pass into side control anyway.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kershaw landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vince Kershaw showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kershaw 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vince Kershaw!