PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santino Marella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Johnson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Santino Marella's chin.

Johnson
vs
Marella

188 cm
30
214 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

182 cm
30
217 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Santino Marella!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Marella swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Marella throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Marella on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Santino Marella has been cut.
Marella doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marella.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson lands the left hand.
Johnson is looking to clinch but Marella is avoiding it.
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marella avoids the head kick by Johnson.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marella swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Marella rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marella shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anthony Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santino Marella.
Marella on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Marella has a takedown stuffed.
Marella circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Marella is just out of range.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Marella manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Marella misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marella moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marella dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Marella's head and hops out.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Marella is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
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!
Marella is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Marella is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson is trying to push Marella away but Marella has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Marella fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marella has a takedown stuffed.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Marella against the cage.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnson drops Marella with a beautiful combination! Marella stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Johnson is looking for the KO!

Marella is rocked!
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!
Marella has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Marella off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Johnson follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Marella was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Anthony Johnson!
Anthony Johnson decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.