PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between William Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Long (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Long has chosen remember the name as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jack Long struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Johnson
vs
Long

186 cm
26
202 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

187 cm
24
198 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, William Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Long!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Long lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Long throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Long seems a little lost for a moment, as Johnson dominates the positioning.
We've been hearing good reports from Johnson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Long to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Long throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Long has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Long delivers a nice body kick.
Long throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

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.
Johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long working a defensive guard here.

Johnson gets to his feet - Long follows without any prompting.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but Long sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Long is looking to land body kicks.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Long sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Long swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Long is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Long looks winded!

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Long on his heels. He'll look to pass Long's guard now, I'm sure.
Long can't keep his opponent in guard - Johnson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Long trying to control here.

Johnson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Long throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Nice sprawl there from Long as Johnson shoots in.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Long looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Johnson stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson works his way into full mount!
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Long tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Long tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Johnson is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Long throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Long.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Long's waist but Long gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Long's guard.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Long working a defensive guard here.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.
Johnson passes Long's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Long wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Johnson decides to return to a standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Long swivels and escapes.
Long throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Long stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Long wants it to stay on the feet.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Long quickly recovers to half guard.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Long is looking to escape.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of William Johnson.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Long sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Long gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Long is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Long looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up. William Johnson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A punch combination from Long misses.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Long.
Long tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Long stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Long is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson uses his free foot to push down on Long's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Long.

Johnson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Long defends the submission attempt.

Johnson decides to return to a standing position.
Johnson leaves Long with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Johnson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Long's guard.
Johnson pushing down on Long's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Long is defending well.
Johnson passes to side control.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Long can do to turn this around?
Long wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
You can see the frustration on Long's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson advances nicely into full mount.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Long has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Johnson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson gets the takedown into side control.
Long is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Long is being controlled here.

Johnson decides to stand back up. Johnson steps back and let's Long get back to his feet.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Long to the mat! Long manages to get full guard.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Long, up you get!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Long is letting Johnson control him for a moment.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Long for as long as he can get away with.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Long misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Long gets caught napping as Johnson dives in and scores a takedown. Long manages to retain guard.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Johnson gets to his feet - Long follows without any prompting.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Long's waist but Long gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Johnson shoots in but Long avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick misses from Long.

Johnson looking to score a takedown here. Long is defending well but Johnson drives through and ends up in Long's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Long, up you get!

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Long was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
William Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Long pulls Johnson in to control the position.
Long is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Johnson stands up from Long's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Long to the mat! Long manages to get full guard.
Johnson stays in close to Long's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Long, up you get!
William Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Long avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Long continues to drive forward.
Johnson has Long pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Long manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Long lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Long is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Long breaks the clinch.
Long throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Long on his heels. He'll look to pass Long's guard now, I'm sure.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnson gets to his feet. Long looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Long did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Long wants to get back to full guard.

Johnson escapes and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Long. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Jack Long has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Long pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
William 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Johnson!
Jack Long was interviewed post fight and said 'I will be back. Fitter. Faster. Stronger. And I will come away with the win'.