PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buck Watson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Fight Music - D12. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Watson

185 cm
21
265 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
270 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rufus Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Buck Watson!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Watson tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Watson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
A combination from Watson does no damage.
Watson throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Watson staying out of range there.
Watson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Watson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Watson's head.
Watson keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Watson can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Watson is retaining full guard.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Watson is keeping the position for now.
Watson 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson motions for Watson to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watson manages to avoid it.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Watson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Watson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Watson throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Watson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Buck Watson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Watson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Watson lands a right hook to the body.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Buck Watson has been cut.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.

Watson is rocked!
Watson looks gassed!
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Watson is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Watson seems to have recovered his senses.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Watson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Watson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson postures up in Watson's guard and throws a big left but Watson blocks it.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Watson slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Watson ducks down to avoid it.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Watson's guard.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Watson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Watson manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Watson's guard.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Watson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Watson is breathing heavily.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson won't allow Watson to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pushing down on Watson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Watson is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Johnson working Watson over with strikes here.
Johnson 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.
Watson is trying desperately to improve position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Johnson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Watson because Johnson loaded up on that one.

Johnson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Watson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
A nice elbow there by Johnson.

Johnson working for a guillotine from mount but Watson is in no mood to give up.
Johnson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Watson is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Buck Watson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnson.
Johnson wants to control but Watson is keeping him busy.
Johnson has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Watson!
Johnson tries to control but Watson wriggling away.
BOOM! Johnson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Watson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Johnson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Johnson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Watson because Johnson loaded up on that one.

Johnson working for a guillotine from mount but Watson is in no mood to give up.
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Johnson landing strikes from the mount and Watson is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watson takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Johnson's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rufus Johnson!