PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolle Johnsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timmeh Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnsen comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sabbath - Snowblind. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnsen
vs
Larson

170 cm
20
155 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
163 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Rolle Johnsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timmeh Larson!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Larson.
Larson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnsen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Larson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Larson tries a head kick but it misses.

Johnsen has managed to clinch.
Larson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnsen backwards.
Johnsen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Johnsen avoids the elbow strike from Larson, against the cage.
Larson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Larson landing knees to the head.
Larson misses with a knee strike.
Johnsen is trying to break the clinch but Larson is controlling him.
Larson lands an uppercut.
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Johnsen being controlled against the cage.
Johnsen is trying to break the clinch but Larson is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Larson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Larson managing to block the knees to the body from Johnsen.
Johnsen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Larson.
Johnsen missing with knees to the body.
Johnsen working Larson over with knees to the body.
Johnsen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Larson slows down the pace here.
Johnsen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Johnsen lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Timmeh Larson has been cut.
Larson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Larson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Larson stalling in the clinch but Johnsen improves position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Johnsen lands an elbow just above Larson 's eye.
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Johnsen landing knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Johnsen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnsen pushes off an throws an elbow but Larson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Larson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Larson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnsen avoids it.
Larson trying to control the position but instead, Johnsen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Larson into the cage.
Larson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Johnsen pushes off an throws an elbow but Larson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Johnsen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Larson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Larson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Johnsen is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnsen can't break the clinch.
Johnsen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Larson avoids it.
Johnsen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Larson lands a knee to the body.
Johnsen letting Larson take a breather here.
Larson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Larson.
Larson managing to block the knees to the body from Johnsen.
Johnsen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Larson looking to throw knees to the head but Johnsen is blocking nicely.
Larson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Johnsen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Larson misses with a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Larson.
With the fighters up against the cage, Larson throws an elbow but misses.
Larson misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larson is trying to stall.
Johnsen tries to break free but Larson pushes him back against the cage.
Larson stalling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnsen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Larson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Johnsen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Larson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnsen, pushing him back against the cage.
Larson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Larson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Larson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Larson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Larson with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnsen trying to land knees to the body.
Larson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Johnsen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Larson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Timmeh Larson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Timmeh Larson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnsen throws a combination that misses
and Larson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Johnsen tries to clinch but Larson moves out of range.
Larson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Larson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Johnsen tries to clinch there but Larson circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Larson.
Johnsen throws a front kick aimed at Larson's knee but Larson avoids it well.
Johnsen tries a head kick but it misses.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Larson in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Johnsen avoids the body shot from Larson.
Johnsen avoids the head kick by Larson.
Rolle Johnsen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larson tries to clinch there but Johnsen circles away.
Larson is looking to clinch but Johnsen is avoiding it.
Larson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Larson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Johnsen's head.
Larson missing with a left hand there. Johnsen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Larson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnsen wants to clinch up but Larson keeps it at a distance.
Johnsen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Larson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Johnsen tries to keep at a distance but Larson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnsen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Larson tries to stall but Johnsen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Larson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Johnsen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Larson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Larson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Larson is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnsen clinches up with Larson and pushes him back against the cage.
Larson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Larson tries to land a knee to the head but Johnsen blocks with his arms.
Larson looking to throw knees to the head but Johnsen is blocking nicely.
Larson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Larson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Johnsen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larson has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnsen obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnsen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnsen obliges.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnsen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Larson lands with a left to the head.
Johnsen can't break the clinch.
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Johnsen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnsen avoids it.
Johnsen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnsen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Larson's face.
Larson trying to land knees to the body.
Larson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnsen blocks it with crossed arms.

Johnsen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Larson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnsen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnsen throws a head kick but Larson moves out of range.
Johnsen is looking to clinch but Larson is avoiding it.
Johnsen moves in looking to clinch but Larson pushes him off.
Johnsen throws a sloppy head kick and Larson moves out of range easily.
Larson pushes Johnsen away with a front kick.
Johnsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnsen misses with a straight left.
Larson misses the body punch
and Johnsen counters with a head kick.
Larson tries to clinch up but Johnsen circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnsen doesn't manage to clinch there - Larson circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnsen is looking to clinch.
Johnsen blocks a head kick by Larson.
Johnsen is looking to land body kicks.
Johnsen scores with a spinning back kick!
Johnsen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Larson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Johnsen really felt that one!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larson looks to land a combination but Johnsen avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Timmeh Larson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Timmeh Larson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnsen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnsen tries to clinch there but Larson circles away.
Larson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Larson is looking to clinch but Johnsen is avoiding it.
Larson tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnsen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnsen throws out a powerful jab.
Larson tries to clinch up.
Johnsen is looking to land body kicks.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnsen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Larson doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnsen circles away.
Johnsen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Larson.
Johnsen throws a head kick that half lands.
Larson takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larson drives through and clinches with Johnsen against the cage.
Larson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnsen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Larson.
Timmeh Larson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Larson misses with a knee to the head.
Larson scores with a shoulder strike.
Johnsen letting Larson take a breather here.
Johnsen missing with knees to the body.
Larson tries a knee to the head but Johnsen blocks it.
Johnsen tries to land knees in the clinch but Larson avoids the damage to the body.
Johnsen scores with a knee to the head.
Johnsen tries to land a knee to the head but Larson blocks with his arms.
Johnsen tries to land knees in the clinch but Larson avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Larson is defending well for now.
Johnsen working hard to break the clinch.
Larson managing to block the knees to the body from Johnsen.
Larson stalling in the clinch but Johnsen improves position.
Johnsen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larson won't allow it.
Larson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnsen blocks it with crossed arms.
Larson lands a knee to the head.
Larson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Johnsen is trying to break free.
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!
Johnsen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Larson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnsen misses with an elbow over the top.
Larson tries a knee to the head but Johnsen blocks it.
Larson tries a knee to the head but Johnsen blocks it.
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Larson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnsen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Larson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnsen crunches a lovely knee into Larson's ribcage.
Johnsen misses with a knee strike.
Johnsen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Larson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Larson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Larson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Johnsen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnsen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Larson avoiding damage as Johnsen throws knees to the body.
Larson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnsen landing knees to the head.
Larson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Larson looking to throw knees to the head but Johnsen is blocking nicely.
Timmeh Larson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnsen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Larson avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knees to the body from Johnsen.
Larson pushes Johnsen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Larson gets through Johnsen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Larson connects with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnsen working hard to break the clinch.
Johnsen blocks an elbow strike.
Johnsen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Larson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnsen or not.
Larson slowing the pace effectively.
Knees in the clinch landing for Johnsen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnsen prevents a body shot from Larson.
Larson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rolle Johnsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Larson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Johnsen unloads a knee to the mid-section.

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 Rolle Johnsen.
I think Larson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!