PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dodson
vs
Ferguson

167 cm
29
130 lbs
8 - 12 - 0

164 cm
29
135 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dodson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, bj Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dodson shoots and misses

and Ferguson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dodson won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Dodson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferguson is staying tight to Dodson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Ferguson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Dodson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ferguson keeps the fight on the outside.
Dodson tries for a takedown but Ferguson circles away easily

and Ferguson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dodson is working an open guard so Ferguson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Dodson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ferguson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dodson is working an open guard so Ferguson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dodson shoots in for a double leg but Ferguson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dodson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dodson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Ferguson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Dodson is breathing heavily.
Ferguson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dodson being controlled here, momentarily.
Ferguson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ferguson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dodson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ferguson.
Dodson wants to improve his position but Ferguson is controlling well.
Ferguson controlling the pace.
Dodson wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
It looks like Ferguson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

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

Ferguson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Ferguson swings around for an armbar but Dodson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ferguson's guard.
Ferguson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferguson has his hands on Dodson's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dodson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ferguson is pulling down on Dodson's head. It's preventing any offense from Dodson, at least for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson 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.

Dodson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dodson wants it to stay on the feet.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dodson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dodson misses with a takedown attempt

and Ferguson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Dodson!
Ferguson with shots to the head and body - Dodson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ferguson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ferguson avoids the attempt from Dodson to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dodson working to try and regain half guard.
Ferguson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Dodson is trying to escape the mount.
Ferguson dominating with strikes here.
Ferguson content just to control the position here.
Dodson is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Ferguson feints and as Dodson raises his hands in defense, Ferguson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dodson looking to control.
Ferguson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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!
Ferguson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dodson trying to control the position.
Dodson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson is adopting a defensive guard.

John Dodson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Dodson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Ferguson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Dodson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ferguson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ferguson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ferguson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson stops Dodson from standing up.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferguson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ferguson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
bj Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.

bj Ferguson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Ferguson clinches with his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ferguson wants the takedown. Dodson is fighting it off but Ferguson persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Dodson's guard against the cage.
Ferguson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dodson working a defensive guard but Ferguson passes into half guard.
Ferguson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson 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!

Ferguson fails with the takedown.
Dodson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Dodson misses with a head kick.
Ferguson throws a leg kick that misses.
Ferguson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dodson.
Ferguson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ferguson misses with a kick to the body.
Dodson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Ferguson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Dodson is looking for a sweep. Ferguson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ferguson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by bj Ferguson.
Dodson tries to clinch up.
Dodson wants to clinch.
Dodson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ferguson is fending him off so far but Dodson persists. Nope, Ferguson circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dodson wants to clinch
letting Ferguson counter with a right hand.
John Dodson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dodson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dodson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dodson is looking to clinch but Ferguson is avoiding it.

Ferguson has managed to clinch.

Ferguson gets control of Dodson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ferguson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Dodson postures up in Ferguson's guard and throws a big left but Ferguson blocks it.
Dodson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferguson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ferguson seems to be looking for submissions.
Ferguson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Dodson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Ferguson has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Dodson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dodson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ferguson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Ferguson is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Dodson drives through and clinches with Ferguson against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dodson walks away with a smile on his face. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ferguson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dodson on his heels. He'll look to pass Dodson's guard now, I'm sure.

Dodson is rocked!
Ferguson stands up over Dodson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Oh Dodson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ferguson 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.
John Dodson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
bj Ferguson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ferguson is pushing down on Dodson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dodson is fighting to maintain full guard but Ferguson has managed to sneak the leg through.

And that's the end of the fight!
bj Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ferguson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bj Ferguson! bj Ferguson retains his bantamweight title!
An intense looking bj Ferguson took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'This was a good fight. Can't wait for my next obstacle. (10-6)'.