PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jack Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bj Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penn has chosen BJ Penn as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Johnson
vs
Penn

165 cm
34
147 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

175 cm
30
148 lbs
24 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jack Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bj Penn!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Penn - just one landing.

Johnson pushes Penn up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson fails to pull guard.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Penn walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Penn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.
Penn looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.
Johnson throws a right hand that Penn ducks under and follows up with a left that Penn also avoids with ease.
Penn misses with a body shot.
Penn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice shot lands for Johnson.
Penn throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Johnson clinches up with Penn and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn is trying to stall.
Penn is trying to break free.
Johnson wants to take the fight to the mat but Penn manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Penn is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Penn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penn keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Penn's temple.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Penn's head.
Penn wants to get back to full guard.

Penn is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Johnson working over Penn with some ground and pound. Penn looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Penn defends it.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Penn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Penn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Penn's head.
Johnson winds up and cracks Penn with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount and Penn is in trouble!
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.
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big right from Penn misses.
Penn slips a straight right by Johnson.
Jack Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Penn.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Penn.
Penn just misses with a punch to the body.
Penn just misses with a punch to the body.
Bj Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson moves out of range as Penn strikes.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Johnson feints and as Penn raises his hands in defense, Johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Penn uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Penn!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Penn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Penn has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Penn.
Johnson wants to hit a switch here but Penn passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Johnson there!
Penn landing punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Johnson?
Penn looking to finish with strikes here!
Johnson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Penn has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working to get back to half guard.
Penn lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Penn takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn landing punches.
Penn throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Poor strikes thrown by Penn there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bj Penn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Penn throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Penn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.

Johnson clinches up with Penn and pushes him back against the cage.

Johnson jumps guard.
Penn with a flurry of punches that miss.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Penn from controlling successfully.
Penn scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn 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.
Penn trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Penn throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Penn 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bj Penn was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Penn slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Penn.
Bj Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Penn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Penn takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Penn throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Penn throws out the jab.
Penn throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson has managed to clinch.
Johnson is looking for a takedown.
Johnson jumps guard but Penn stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Penn just stands there and leans against the cage.

Johnson pulls Penn into guard.
Penn trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Penn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Penn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Penn lands a couple of elbows.
Penn stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Jack Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Penn throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bj Penn.
I think Penn 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bj Penn!
A less than humble Bj Penn misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.