PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hassan Al Aziz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Voodoo People. Thomas Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Al Aziz

202 cm
21
250 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

190 cm
21
260 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Hassan Al Aziz!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Aziz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Al Aziz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Al Aziz which made him look bad.
Al Aziz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Al Aziz defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Al Aziz fails to land with a series of punches.
Al Aziz scores with a hook.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Al Aziz is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Al Aziz wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The referee asks Johnson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Johnson prefers to stall for the moment though.

Johnson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Al Aziz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Al Aziz from escaping the position.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Al Aziz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Al Aziz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Al Aziz is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Al Aziz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al Aziz is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Al Aziz circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Aziz throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Al Aziz misses with a series of wild punches.
Hassan Al Aziz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson tries to clinch but Al Aziz is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Al Aziz.
Al Aziz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Aziz looks gassed!
Al Aziz misses with the combination.
Al Aziz throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Al Aziz is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Al Aziz is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Al Aziz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Aziz tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Johnson manages to move to mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Aziz wants to try and get back to his feet.
A nice elbow there by Johnson.
Johnson won't let Al Aziz get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Johnson is working for a guillotine from mount but Al Aziz frees his head quite easily.
Al Aziz is trying to stand up.
Johnson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Aziz's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Al Aziz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Al Aziz throws a head kick that misses.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Al Aziz!
Al Aziz squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Al Aziz is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Al Aziz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Al Aziz can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Aziz is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Johnson has taken his back!
Johnson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Al Aziz holding both Johnson 's hands and preventing any damage.
Johnson trying to control.

Al Aziz manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Al Aziz throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Al Aziz pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson looking for a takedown.
Al Aziz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Al Aziz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Al Aziz throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Al Aziz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Al Aziz wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Al Aziz from getting back to his feet.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Aziz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Al Aziz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
A head kick misses from Al Aziz.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Aziz throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Al Aziz pinned against the cage. Al Aziz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A head kick misses from Al Aziz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Al Aziz's guard.
Johnson won't allow Al Aziz to get back to his feet.
Johnson cracks Al Aziz with a solid left hand.
Al Aziz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet but Johnson passes into half guard.
Al Aziz is trying to stand.

Al Aziz is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Johnson dominated that second round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Aziz but Al Aziz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A combination from Al Aziz does no damage.
Al Aziz misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Johnson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Johnson lands some shots froms side control.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Aziz keeps working.

Al Aziz throws Johnson to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Al Aziz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Al Aziz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Al Aziz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Johnson moves out of range as Al Aziz strikes.
Johnson misses with the combination.
A head kick misses from Al Aziz.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Al Aziz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Al Aziz is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Thomas Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson lands a heavy elbow.
Johnson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Hassan Al Aziz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.

Al Aziz bucks Johnson off and manages to get back to his feet!
Hassan Al Aziz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Al Aziz is striking from the bottom but Johnson uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Aziz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Al Aziz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Aziz wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Al Aziz is defending the position.
Johnson prevents Al Aziz from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Al Aziz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Al Aziz throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Al Aziz.

Al Aziz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Al Aziz keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Aziz is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al Aziz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Al Aziz misses with a few strikes there.
Al Aziz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Al Aziz circles away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Al Aziz.
Al Aziz throws a head kick that misses

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Al Aziz uses the cage to get back to his feet.
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 feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Al Aziz is looking for a triangle here but Johnson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Johnson!