PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balrog Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights . A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Ghotha

192 cm
39
216 lbs
25 - 8 - 0

207 cm
42
272 lbs
40 - 39 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Balrog Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 39 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Johnson.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Warehouse in the buildup to the fight.
Ghotha doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson is looking to land body kicks.
Ghotha changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Ghotha manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Balrog Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Ghotha.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ghotha.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson is looking to chop away at Ghotha's legs.
Ghotha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Ghotha looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ghotha wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Ghotha has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ghotha's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ghotha's back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Johnson controlling the positon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson controlling well, preventing Ghotha from escaping the position.
I would not like to be Ghotha right now.
Ghotha is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha keeps trying to improve his position.
Ghotha manages to reverse the position and now he's in Johnson's guard. Nice work there by Ghotha.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson lands a leg kick that knocks Ghotha off balance momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ghotha bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson digs a good body shot into Ghotha's ribs.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ghotha gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A swing and a miss from Ghotha.
Johnson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Johnson throws a push kick but Ghotha slaps the foot to one side.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ghotha.
Johnson throws a solid leg kick but Ghotha takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Johnson.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ghotha avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Ghotha is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Johnson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ghotha will feel that in the morning.
Ghotha gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ghotha fails with the takedown.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a leg kick which misses Ghotha's front leg but catches the back leg as Ghotha tries to avoid it.
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!
Ghotha dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Ghotha's head and hops out.
No luck for Ghotha with that takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a leg kick which misses Ghotha's front leg but catches the back leg as Ghotha tries to avoid it.
Ghotha misses with a kick to the body.
Ghotha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Ghotha down.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ghotha connects with the punch.
Ghotha takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ghotha moves out of range of the body kick from Johnson.
Ghotha stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson leaves Ghotha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ghotha looks winded!
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Some bone on bone action there as Johnson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ghotha fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
No luck for Ghotha with that takedown attempt.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Johnson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Ghotha goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
Balrog Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ghotha goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Johnson is looking to chop away at Ghotha's legs.
Johnson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Ghotha fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Ghotha persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Ghotha sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghotha trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ghotha.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Ghotha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ghotha trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Ghotha lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ghotha.
Johnson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ghotha looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Ghotha.
Ghotha is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ghotha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ghotha isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Johnson stacks Ghotha on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Johnson!
Ghotha tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha is still trying to improve position.
Ghotha is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ghotha is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghoul Ghotha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson avoids the head kick by Ghotha.
Ghotha shoots and misses
and Johnson counters with a body kick that stops Ghotha in his tracks momentarily.
Ghotha cracks Johnson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Ghotha steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ghotha with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a thumping low kick.
Ghotha walks into a left hand.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ghotha, pushing him back against the cage.
Ghotha's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
Johnson lands a left hand.
Ghotha goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Balrog Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands a head kick. Ghotha smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Ghotha.
Ghotha takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Ghotha sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ghotha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Ghotha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghotha shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Ghotha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ghotha checks it well.
A big right from Ghotha misses.
Johnson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Balrog Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson misses with a low kick as Ghotha jumps back.
Johnson with a jab.
Ghotha has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Ghotha throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson throws a hook but Ghotha blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ghotha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Balrog Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Johnson tries a low kick but Ghotha avoids it.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ghotha.
Some bone on bone action there as Ghotha checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ghotha has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ghotha avoids the body shot from Johnson.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ghotha has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Johnson.
Ghotha blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson lands with a right hand.
Ghotha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A left lands for Johnson.
Ghotha chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Johnson, as that shot connected.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ghotha dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson misses with a hook. Ghotha ducked under it nicely.
Ghotha with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a good low kick that Ghotha was not able to check.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ghotha with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a front kick that sends Ghotha stumbling back into the cage.
Johnson lands a head kick. Ghotha smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Ghotha's leg. Ghotha is trying to keep his angry face on.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Johnson connects with a high kick.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Ghotha is out of range.
Ghotha shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ghotha moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ghotha dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Ghotha makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balrog Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balrog Johnson!
A very excited looking Balrog Johnson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.