PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jack Johnson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Guru
vs
Johnson

174 cm
22
147 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

165 cm
32
147 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ground Guru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jack Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses the jab.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Guru.
Guru steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Guru fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Guru fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Guru shoots and misses
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Guru under the eye.

It looks like Ground Guru has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Guru shoots in.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Guru tries to clinch but Johnson moves away
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Guru tries a head kick but it misses.
Guru misses with a takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a three punch combo that has Guru backing up. Guru nods at Johnson to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Guru shoots in.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.

Guru is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Guru closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Johnson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Guru is looking to take this one to the mat.

Guru is fighting off a takedown attempt but Johnson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Guru to the mat. Guru regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Guru 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is in close to Guru's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson passes Guru's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Guru manages to get to full guard.
Guru has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.
Johnson is in close to Guru's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Guru working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Johnson has passed into half guard!
Guru has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru gets back to full guard.

Johnson stands and steps away. Guru gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Guru avoids it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.

Guru gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Guru tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Guru somewhat.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Guru avoids nicely.
Ground Guru seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Guru drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is not content to let Guru control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru prevents Johnson from escaping the position.

Guru swings around for an armbar but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Guru's guard.
Guru looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Guru not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Guru keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Guru is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Guru looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Guru tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Johnson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Guru bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Guru trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Guru defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Guru accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Guru passes into half guard.
Jack Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Guru is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Guru is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Guru is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Guru is controlling him

Guru is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Guru seems to be working for a kimura but Johnson defends the submission attempt.
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 Ground Guru will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson misses with a hook.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Guru throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson wants to clinch

and Guru counters by clinching up.

Johnson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Guru throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson works over Guru with some ground and pound from guard.

Johnson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Johnson avoids a kick to the body.
Guru goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Guru uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru has his takedown stuffed
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Guru counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Guru advances position into side control!

Guru goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Johnson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Guru's guard! Nice work there by Johnson!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson wants to stand but Guru has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Johnson postures up in Guru's guard and throws a big left but Guru blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Guru bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
Guruis looking to pass into half guard but Johnson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Johnson is in guard.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Guru is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Guru wants to improve his position but instead Johnson has moved into half guard.
Guru is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Guru does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Guru is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Johnson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Guru shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Guru 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.
Guru gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jack Johnson just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Guru gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Guru takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson lands with a cross.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Johnson lands the left hand.
Guru tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Oh Guru is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ground Guru is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a huge left! Guru is in big trouble! He's backing up but Johnson isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Guru from any more damage. A dominating finish by Johnson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jack Johnson!
Jack Johnson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.