PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mario Betoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Turk Johnstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betoli's entrance music is Mario theme. A fine choice. Turk Johnstone told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Betoli
vs
Johnstone

195 cm
37
282 lbs
40 - 19 - 0

197 cm
19
282 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Betoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Turk Johnstone!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnstone throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnstone takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

It looks like Turk Johnstone has been cut.
Betoli blocks a jab.

Betoli shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnstone's guard.
Johnstone keeping full guard, as Betoli tries to pass.
Betoli controlling from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Betoli is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Betoli sitting in guard here, content to control.
Betoli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnstone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Betoli thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnstone wants to stand up but Betoli is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone being controlled here, momentarily.

Betoli drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Betoli jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Betoli stands and throws Johnstone's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Betoli taking a breather here.
Johnstone is not content to let Betoli control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Betoli wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Johnstone, who protects the arm well.

Betoli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Betoli taking a breather here.
Johnstone dodges the ground and pound from Betoli.
Johnstone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Betoli. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Betoli working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnstone is letting Betoli control him for a moment.
Johnstone should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Betoli working the head and body with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnstone is trying to work for a sweep but Betoli has mounted him!

Betoli working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Betoli lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Johnstone hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Betoli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Turk Johnstone'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.

Betoli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnstone moves away.
Johnstone throws a sloppy head kick and Betoli moves out of range easily.
Johnstone takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnstone misses with a lunging right hand

and Betoli counters with a left hand that sends Johnstone to the canvas!

Johnstone is rocked!

The cut above Turk Johnstone's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Betoli stands up over Johnstone, holding on to his feet. Betoli throws the legs to one side and dives in with a huge shot that lands flush on the chin! Johnstone is out cold! Betoli lands a couple more shots and the ref tackles him out of the way! What a brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Mario Betoli!