PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tucker Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Will T. Bear - For a Few Dollars More. Thomas is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Get Off On The Pain - Gary Allan . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Thomas

179 cm
26
178 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

182 cm
26
181 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Legion of Pain Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tucker Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson stuns Thomas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Johnson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Thomas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thomas manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Thomas's guard.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Thomas is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thomas is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Thomas is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.

Tucker Thomas has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thomas swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Thomas connects with a body shot.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Thomas slips a straight right by Johnson.
Luke Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Johnson looks to clinch
and Thomas counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Johnson checks a leg kick.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Thomas tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thomas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thomas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Tucker Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson is thwarting Thomas's attempts to control the position.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thomas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Thomas is defending the position.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Thomas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thomas has a hand on Johnson's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Johnson takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Johnson is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson looking to control but Thomas is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thomas tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Thomas in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
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 looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Thomas is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
Thomas wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thomas moves away.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Thomas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Thomas tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Thomas is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnson trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Thomas tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Thomas is defending well.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Thomas!
Thomas tries to buck Johnson off but he can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Johnson is working for a guillotine from mount but Thomas frees his head quite easily.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Thomas can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Thomas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson fails to advance to Thomas's back.
Thomas is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Thomas is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.

Johnson looking to secure an arm triangle but Thomas defends it well.
Johnson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Thomas is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Thomas tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Johnson goes for an armbar but Thomas turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Thomas.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Thomas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Johnson controls Thomas momentarily but Thomas frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas works the jab nicely.

It looks like Luke Johnson has been cut.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thomas on the side of the head.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas which made him look bad.
Thomas throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Thomas stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thomas. Thomas circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnson swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Thomas misses with an elbow strike.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Thomas manages to get underhooks.
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Thomas.
Thomas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Johnson misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Johnson letting Thomas take a breather here.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Thomas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson looking for a takedown.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thomas misses with a body punch.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Thomas.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right from Thomas.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson has clasped his hands together around Thomas's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Johnson throws an elbow but Thomas slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thomas is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thomas tries to improve position but can't.

Johnson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Johnson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Johnson working the ground and pound but Thomas is defending the strikes.
Thomas tries to improve position but can't.
Johnson working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thomas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Johnson working away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson trying to control the position but Thomas is working away.
Thomas is trying to improve his position.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Thomas's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Johnson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thomas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Thomas takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson is looking to wear down Thomas with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson cracks Thomas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas pinned against the cage. Thomas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thomas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thomas misses with an attempted mid kick.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thomas can't keep his opponent in guard - Johnson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thomas wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Thomas defends it.
Luke Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thomas is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson prevents Thomas from improving his position.
Thomas 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.
Johnson is trying to control. Thomas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thomas won't allow Johnson to pass to mount.
Johnson prevents Thomas from improving his position.
Johnson wants to control but Thomas is keeping him busy.
Thomas makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Johnson trying to control the position but Thomas is working away.
Johnson cracks Thomas with a big right hand but Thomas just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Thomas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Thomas is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Thomas is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Thomas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnson laying and praying for a moment but Thomas takes advantage and regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
Thomas is doing well to control the position and prevent Johnson from advancing to side control.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thomas keeps working.
Thomas 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 wants to pass to mount but Thomas is defending the position.
Thomas wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Thomas keeping control of the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thomas takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson had his way with Tucker Thomas in that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thomas connects with a solid leg kick.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas pinned against the cage. Thomas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
A good leg kick by Thomas.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thomas feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Johnson's calf.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Thomas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thomas will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Thomas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Thomas pulls Johnson in to control the position.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomas is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Thomas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnson controls the pace.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Thomas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson stands and throws Thomas's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Johnson tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson works to advance to full mount. Thomas defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Thomas is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson with good strikes from the mount here!
Tucker Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.
Thomas wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.

Johnson looking for a guillotine from mount but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas is in all sorts of trouble here.
Thomas wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes Thomas's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Thomas is in trouble.
Johnson is looking to control Thomas but Thomas is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Thomas wants to escape the position.

Johnson looking for the choke from the back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Thomas is defending well though. Johnson let's go of the attempt for now.
Johnson trying to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Johnson!
Luke Johnson is the new welterweight champion!
Luke Johnson looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Maaan... I got it! '.