PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rebel Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samak Tiyapairat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by If you want blood, you got it by AC/DC . Tiyapairat comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ram Muay kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rebel Johnson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Johnson
vs
Tiyapairat

188 cm
32
185 lbs
15 - 17 - 0

174 cm
35
166 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rebel Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samak Tiyapairat!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tiyapairat misses the shot to the body.
Samak Tiyapairat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Tiyapairat off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tiyapairat utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson pushes down on Tiyapairat's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tiyapairat blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Tiyapairat defends it.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've been hearing that Johnson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tiyapairat is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiyapairat looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Tiyapairat is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tiyapairat blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson is keen to just control but Tiyapairat is a slippery customer.
Johnson is pressing down on Tiyapairat's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tiyapairat is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tiyapairat has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tiyapairat regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Johnson.
Johnson throws a strike but Tiyapairat rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tiyapairat passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tiyapairat prevents Johnson from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Tiyapairat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson is concentrating on defense, preventing Tiyapairat from advancing position.
Johnson wants to control but Tiyapairat is keeping busy.

Rebel Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tiyapairat. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rebel Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tiyapairat!

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tiyapairat is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tiyapairat keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tiyapairat 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 is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tiyapairat is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tiyapairat's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Tiyapairat is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Johnson with the ground and pound but Tiyapairat uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tiyapairat is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Tiyapairat is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tiyapairat is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Tiyapairat gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.
Tiyapairat avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Tiyapairat is retaining full guard.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Johnson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tiyapairat is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tiyapairat has escaped and now he's on top!
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rebel Johnson just wasn't active enough.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Tiyapairat can't find room to land a body shot as Johnson controls the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tiyapairat misses with a knee strike.
Tiyapairat gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Tiyapairat is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rebel Johnson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tiyapairat lands a jab.
Tiyapairat throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Tiyapairat.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tiyapairat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

Tiyapairat has managed to clinch.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Tiyapairat.
Tiyapairat wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tiyapairat prevents it.

Johnson jumps into guard, dragging Tiyapairat to the mat.
Rebel Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Johnson is pulling down on Tiyapairat's head. It's preventing any offense from Tiyapairat, at least for the moment.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Tiyapairat from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tiyapairat avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Nice uppercut there from Tiyapairat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Tiyapairat has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Tiyapairat on the inside.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rebel Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tiyapairat lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnson won't want to take too many of those.
Tiyapairat misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tiyapairat enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tiyapairat manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tiyapairat keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Tiyapairat is working from the bottom.
Johnson works over Tiyapairat with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.

Johnson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tiyapairat dives on top into guard.
Tiyapairat tries to stand but Johnson is controlling from the bottom.
Rebel Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rebel Johnson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tiyapairat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiyapairat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Johnson clinches with his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tiyapairat tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.

Johnson has clasped his hands together around Tiyapairat's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Samak Tiyapairat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiyapairat tries to escape but Johnson is in control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rebel 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rebel Johnson!
Post fight, Rebel Johnson stared into the camera and said 'I'll make you famous. Come be with a real man.'.