PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ron Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ron Black has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Black
vs
Johnson

185 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ron Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Black throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Black tries to clinch up.

Johnson gets caught napping as Black dives in and scores a takedown. Johnson manages to retain guard.
Johnson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Johnson uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

Johnson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Johnson manages to end up in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The strikes coming from Johnson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
An elbow from Johnson crashes against the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Black regains half guard, as Johnson was trying to land strikes.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Black is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson with the ground and pound but Black uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Black has wrist control.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Black's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Anthony Johnson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Johnson swings around for an armbar but Black sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Johnson's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Black postures up.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Black. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson looks gassed!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Black accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Black can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Black postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Black throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Johnson is controlling Black's posture.
Black postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Black trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Black trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Black 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Black accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson controls Black momentarily but Black frees himself.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Black in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Black throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Black looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Johnson!
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Poor strikes thrown by Black there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Black unloads with some shots from mount but Johnson bucks and avoids them well.
Black trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Black.
Black misses with a head shot.
Black lands a big shot there that rocks Johnson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black throws some wild stikes that Johnson manages to avoid easily.
Black throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Johnson because Black loaded up on that one.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Black gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Black throws some wild stikes that Johnson manages to avoid easily.
Black thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Black jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Johnson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Johnson and Black has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black working away.
Johnson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Black's best efforts.
Black thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Black missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Black is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ron Black overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Black is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Black.
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 looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Black.
Black throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Johnson moves into full guard.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Black!
Johnson looking to finish with strikes here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount and Black is in trouble!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
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 Ron Black will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Black throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Black sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Black knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Black trying to control here.
Black keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson controlling the action here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Black lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson moves into the clinch successfully.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Black.

Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson controlling the action here for a moment.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black scoring with punches to the head and body.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.
Black loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Black in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Black trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Black is one step ahead there.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Black missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.

Black drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Black off! Black jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Black is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Black doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Black manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Black drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Black jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Black, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anthony Johnson.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Johnson!
Anthony Johnson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.