PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santino Marella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Johnson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Johnson
vs
Marella

188 cm
26
199 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

182 cm
27
194 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santino Marella!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marella pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Marella pinned against the cage. Marella gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Santino Marella has been cut.
Marella shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marella was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.

Marella drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Marella trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Marella landing a few strikes.
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!
Marella trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marella throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Johnson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Marella wants to get back to his feet.
Marella stalling.
Johnson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marella is pushing down on Johnson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Johnson is fighting to maintain full guard but Marella has managed to sneak the leg through.
Marella wants to stand up but Johnson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Marella prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson trying to hold on to Marella's head to control him but Marella postures up.

Marella is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Marella is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marella seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Marella has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Marella is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Marella eventually gives up the hold.
Marella is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pressing down on Marella's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Johnson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Marella escapes and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Johnson manages to get back to half guard.
Marella seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Marella is controlling him
Marella tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Santino Marella will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Santino Marella's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Marella fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Marella throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Marella misses.
Anthony Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marella shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.

Marella drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson trying to strike off his back.

Johnson has his foot on Marella's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Marella works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Marella tries to pass.
Marella preventing the sweep.
Marella wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Marella trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marella avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marella trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to control.
Marella trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Marella.
Marella stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marella wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marella.
Anthony Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santino Marella.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marella throws a head kick that misses.
Marella drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Marella is looking to clinch.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Marella but Marella pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marella shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marella shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Marella's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Marella on his heels. He'll look to pass Marella's guard now, I'm sure.
Marella is breathing heavily.
Marella keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Santino Marella has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marella preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Marella is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson throws a strike but Marella rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Marella from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Marella trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Anthony Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Santino Marella'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. And we move into the final round!

Marella fails in his attempt to clinch.

Marella clinches with his opponent.
Marella drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnson gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.

Johnson pushes Marella up against the cage in a clinch.
Marella tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Marella keeps him there for the moment.
Marella throws a head punch that misses.

Johnson jumps into guard, dragging Marella to the mat.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Marella from standing up.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Marella from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Marella from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Marella stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Santino Marella wasn't active enough on the ground.
Marella is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Marella misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marella paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Marella clinches with his opponent.
Marella tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Anthony Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santino Marella.
Marella jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Marella around his waist. Marella gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Marella swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Johnson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Marella fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Marella connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Marella manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Marella is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson tightens his grip and picks Marella up, before dumping him to the ground. Marella manages to land in guard.
Marella being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Marella keeps moving.

Marella is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Marella keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
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!
Marella trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Johnson 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Anthony Johnson!
In his post fight interview, Anthony Johnson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.