PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Foul Play (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Will T. Bear - For a Few Dollars More. Play has chosen Simon Says-Pharaohe Monche as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Play

179 cm
28
176 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

180 cm
34
181 lbs
31 - 16 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

Firebird Designs

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 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Foul Play!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Franklyn Lucas and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Play waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Play throws a right hand that misses
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Play throws the kick towards the body but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Play moved out of range nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Play. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Play throws a body kick that misses.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Play is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Play keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stands and throws Play's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Play is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Johnson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Play is looking for a sweep.
Johnson controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson laying and praying for a moment but Play takes advantage and regains half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Play is in trouble now - Johnson has advanced to mount!
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Play looks a forlorn figure.
Play keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with strikes but Play is staying in there.
Play is in all sorts of trouble here.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson dominating 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.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Play is squirming around nicely.
Johnson is stalling here but it's allowed Play to get half guard.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Play defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson trying to control the action but Play is working from the bottom.
Johnson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Play is working to get back to half guard.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Play can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson looking to finish Play with some ground and pound. This is bad for Play!
Johnson working Play over with strikes here.
Play is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson fails with the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Play sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Play at a distance.
Play misses with a low kick.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Play throws a right hand that misses
and Johnson counters with a low kick, right behind Play 's knee.
Play rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Play tries to score with a low kick but Johnson moves his leg out of the way.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Foul Play seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Play.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Play throws a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Play misses with a right hand
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson throws a push kick but Play slaps the foot to one side.
Play thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Johnson if he has to take too many more of those.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Play.
Foul Play is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Play misses with a jab to the body
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Play misses with a wild combination.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Play's leg. Play is trying to keep his angry face on.
A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
Play throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Play throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Play throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice body kick there by Johnson.
Johnson lands a lovely overhand right.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Play misses with a hook

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Play's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson won't allow Play to sweep him here.
Play is looking to sweep but instead, Johnson has passed into half guard.
Play is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Johnson slows the pace down in half guard.
Johnson wants to advance to full mount but Play doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Play manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Play is controlling well.
Johnson is trying to control but Play manages to pass to mount!
Johnson tries to control the position but Play now has his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Play manages to capitalize on a mistake by Johnson to take his back!
Play not allowing Johnson to control his hands.
Play doesn't have the hooks in and Johnson manages to turn into his guard.
Luke Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Play for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Johnson is looking to chop away at Play's legs.
Johnson stuns Play with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Play's guard.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Play has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Play's guard.
Play is not content to let Johnson control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Play is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson with the ground and pound but Play uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Johnson cracks Play with a solid left hand.
Johnson is pushing down on Play's leg trying to pass to half guard. Play is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Play with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Play is looking to get back to full guard here but Johnson has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Johnson lands some shots froms side control.
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 grinds an elbow into Play's temple.
Johnson trying to control the position but Play is working away.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Play takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Johnson lands an elbow.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Play controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Johnson staying calm.
Johnson scoring with punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Play sneaks back into half guard.
Play keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Play can do to turn this around?
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Play's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Play is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Play tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Play on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Play gets caught napping as Johnson dives in and scores a takedown. Play manages to retain guard.
Play keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson advances position into side control!
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Play keeps working.
Johnson is really struggling to control Play but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Play tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Play is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson working the ground and pound.
Johnson trying to control the action but Play is working from the bottom.
Johnson cracks Play with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Johnson wants to control but Play is keeping him busy.
Play is trying to get back to his feet.
Play taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Play some visible discomfort.
Johnson wants to control but Play is keeping him busy.
Johnson cracks Play with a big elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is working Play over with some ground and pound from side control.
Johnson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Play keeps working.
Johnson scores with a couple of short elbows.

Play is rocked!
Johnson wants to control but Play is keeping him busy.
Play is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Play is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson trying to control from Play's half guard. Play has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Play avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson passes Play's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Johnson uses his free foot to push down on Play's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Play.
Johnson tries to control but Play wriggling away.
Johnson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson wants to control but Play has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson had his way with Foul Play in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson slips under a jab from Play.
Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Luke Johnson has been cut.
Foul Play seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Johnson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Play is having none of it.
Play makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Play.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson throws a strike but Play rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Play won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Play is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Play controlling him for the moment.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Play pushes his legs off easily.
Johnson is trying to keep Play in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Play!
Play taking shots to the head.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount and Play is in trouble!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Play is on top in guard.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Foul Play has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Play trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Play loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Play throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Play slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Play.
Play blocks a leg kick.
Play takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Play pushes him off.
Play misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Play darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Play swings away with a leg kick that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Play misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Play listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Play cracks the inside of Johnson's front leg.
Play tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Luke Johnson.
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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Johnson!
Luke Johnson is the new welterweight champion!