PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brad Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Johns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennett comes to the cage accompanied by Shipping Up to Boston. Johns has chosen Welcome to the jungle as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bennett
vs
Johns

176 cm
26
162 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

178 cm
30
160 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brad Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Junior Johns!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johns shoots in looking for a takedown. Bennett tries to sprawl out of it but Johns keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bennett manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johns throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Bennett counter with a right hand.
Bennett changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bennett checks a leg kick.
Johns tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bennett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johns somewhat.
Bennett misses with a jab to the body

and Johns counters by clinching up.

Bennett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Johns misses
and Bennett counters with a nice body shot.
Bennett slaps away a takedown attempt from Johns, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Brad Bennett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Johns.
Bennett thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johns throws a hook to the side of Bennett's head but Bennett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johns fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bennett has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bennett swings for the body but Johns moves out of range.
Johns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bennett checks a low kick from Johns.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johns.
Johns shoots in looking for a takedown but Bennett manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johns's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johns.
Bennett throws a big shot that misses.
Johns takes one to the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Bennett as Johns shoots in.
Bennett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johns throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johns shoots for a double leg takedown but Bennett sprawls well. He's pushed Johns's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johns is looking to chop away at Bennett's legs.
Johns misses with a low kick.
Johns lands a really nice looking cross but Bennett seems unphased.
Johns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennett.
Bennett is looking to wear down Johns with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bennett slips a straight right by Johns.
Bennett checks the leg kick.
Bennett staying out of range there.
Bennett misses with a hook. Johns ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Bennett blocks the low kick.
Johns thows a body shot but no joy.
Johns misses with a takedown
and Bennett counters with a stiff right hand.
Johns misses with a kick to the body.
Johns tries a head kick but it misses.
Johns fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bennett is out of range.
Johns fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bennett has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Johns throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bennett.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johns walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bennett checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johns dives in and grabs Bennett's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bennett pushes down on Johns's head and hops out.
Bennett avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Johns misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A punch lands to the side of Bennett 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett misses with a body shot.
Johns throws a jab but it's blocked by Bennett.
Johns tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A clash of legs there as Bennett blocks the low kick.
Johns takes a swing at Bennett's ribcage but misses.
Bennett checks the leg kick nicely there.
Brad Bennett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johns misses with a head kick.
Good shot there by Johns.
Johns with a poor takedown
enabling Bennett to counter with a crisp jab.
Junior Johns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Johns misses.
Johns has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bennett finds it's way round the side to connect with Johns's head.
Johns shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bennett defends it nicely.
Bennett scores with a nice right hand.
Bennett dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johns is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bennett sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johns just misses with a punch to the body.
Johns pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bennett misses with a wild body shot.
Johns staying out of range there.
Johns motions for Bennett to come forward. Johns throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Johns shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bennett manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bennett is pulling down on Johns's head. It's preventing any offense from Johns, at least for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bennett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johns missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johns is looking to work some ground and pound but Bennett has wrist control.
Johns postures up in Bennett's guard and throws a big left but Bennett blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Johns dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bennett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johns.
Johns ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bennett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johns throws a leg kick but Bennett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johns looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennett is just out of range.
Bennett avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Johns looking to score a takedown here. Bennett is defending well but Johns drives through and ends up in Bennett's guard.
Bennett has control of Johns's left arm, preventing Johns from doing any damage.
Johns scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johns trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johns missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johns with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johns throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johns has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johns working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johns postures up in Bennett's guard and throws a big left but Bennett blocks it.
Bennett controlling Johns's posture.
Johns wants to control from the top but Bennett keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johns accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bennett wants to sweep but no luck.
Bennett has momentary wrist control but Johns slips an elbow through the middle.
Bennett looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Johns trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bennett blocks a low kick nicely.
Nice jab there from Johns.
Johns slips under a jab from Bennett.
Johns cracks a nice hook into Bennett's ribs.
Bennett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johns bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johns misses with a wild body shot.
Johns scores with a nice head shot.
Johns moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johns attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Johns avoids them all with ease.
No luck for Johns with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Johns. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johns.
Johns misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bennett cracks Johns with an open hand slap.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bennett. Johns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bennett misses with a double jab.
Johns throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Johns waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennett.
Johns throws a leg kick
letting Bennett counter with a right hand.
Johns throws a big shot that misses.
Johns tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bennett is able to avoid easily.
Bennett misses with a hook.
Johns throws a leg kick but Bennett moved away.
Bennett checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johns throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johns throws a body punch but Bennett moves out of range.
Johns staying out of range there.
Johns changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johns throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johns throws a chopping leg kick but Bennett manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johns tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bennett is able to avoid easily.
Bennett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bennett cracks a nice hook into Johns's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johns uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bennett.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennett takes a swing at Johns's ribcage but misses.
Johns scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Johns loads up on a big right hand but Bennett slips the punch.
Johns tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Johns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bennett throws a jab but it's blocked by Johns.
Bennett tests Johns's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bennett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johns.
Bennett lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bennett checks a low kick from Johns.
Johns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennett manages to avoid it.
Johns throws a leg kick but Bennett checks it.
Johns gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johns throws a low kick, looking for Bennett's leg but Bennett calmly moves out of range.
Johns shoots in looking for a takedown. Bennett tries to sprawl out of it but Johns keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bennett manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johns will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Johns tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bennett is able to avoid easily.
Junior Johns seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Johns misses.
Johns misses with the combination.
Johns swings for the body but Bennett moves out of range.
Bennett throws a shot from downtown. Johns moves away and avoids it.
Bennett cracks Johns with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bennett throws a jab when Johns was well out of range.
Johns needs to keep his hands up - Bennett had a free shot at his head there.
Johns ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bennett moves out of range of the leg kick from Johns.
Bennett checks a leg kick nicely.
Bennett throws a good cross that connects.
Bennett lands with a good body shot.
Bennett lands with a hook. Johns tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Johns fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bennett is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johns throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bennett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johns looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennett is just out of range.
Johns is looking to score with low kicks.
Johns with a hook.
Johns throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bennett connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johns throws a leg kick that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Johns 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johns misses with a head kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johns lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bennett has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bennett and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bennett keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Bennett. No joy for Johns on that attempt.
Brad Bennett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Johns.
Johns ducks under a wild hook from Bennett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johns misses with a low kick.
Bennett checks a low kick from Johns.
Johns fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bennett is out of range.

Johns drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bennett keeping moving, preventing Johns from controlling successfully.
Bennett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johns manages to get himself to full guard.
Johns working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bennett trying to control but Johns is working from the bottom.
Johns is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bennett landing with the ground and pound.
Junior Johns is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johns looking to control.
Bennett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johns is keeping the position for now.
Junior Johns has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bennett trying to control the position from guard on top but Johns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johns manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bennett manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennett keeping full guard, as Johns tries to pass.
Bennett keeping moving, preventing Johns from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Brad Bennett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bennett looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Junior Johns.
Well Johns 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

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