PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Illias Illiadis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Illiadis
vs
Johnson

178 cm
27
191 lbs
14 - 2 - 1

179 cm
35
184 lbs
32 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Perkele!

Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q
Modern Wear Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Illias Illiadis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Illiadis saw that one coming.
Illiadis is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Johnson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A leg kick checked by Illiadis.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Illiadis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Illiadis scores with a decent looking hook.
Illiadis takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
And Johnson tries to counter it with a takedown but Illiadis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Illiadis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
A head kick misses from Illiadis.
Johnson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Illiadis's calf.
Illiadis missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Illiadis misses with a wild body shot.

Johnson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Illiadis to the ground. Johnson is now in Illiadis's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Illiadis keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Illiadis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson is still trying to improve position.
Illiadis has control of Johnson's left arm, preventing Johnson from doing any damage.
Illiadis bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Illiadis wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Illiadis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Illiadis is one step ahead there.
Johnson keeps trying to improve his position.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Illiadis postures up.
Johnson is adopting a defensive guard.

Illiadis got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Illiadis has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Illiadis wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.

Illiadis drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Illiadis off! Illiadis jumps back into Johnson's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Illiadis trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Illiadis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Illiadis. Johnson shrugs it off though.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Illiadis sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Illiadis shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to keep Illiadis in close.
Illiadis trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Illiadis looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Illiadis seems keen to control Johnson's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Illias Illiadis will probably get the nod.
That's time! Illiadis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Illiadis was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Illiadis misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Illiadis.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Luke Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Illiadis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson scores with a leg kick.
Illiadis throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illiadis will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Illiadis down.
Illiadis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Johnson to score with a decent uppercut.
Illiadis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Illiadis.
Illiadis closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Illiadis pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Illiadis tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Illiadis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Illiadis.
Illiadis lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Johnson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Illiadis takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Illiadis tries to bench press Johnson off him but Johnson keeps the position.
Johnson wants to control for a moment but Illiadis uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Illiadis!
Illiadis tries to reverse the position but Johnson maintains control.
Johnson looking to finish Illiadis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Illiadis!
Illiadis is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Gutz Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Illiadis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
Illiadis is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Illiadis's face.
Johnson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Johnson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Illiadis is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson prevents Illiadis from getting the reversal.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson lands a couple of good shots and Illiadis has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Johnson.

Illiadis is rocked!

Illiadis is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Johnson gets his way!
Illiadis is trapped and Johnson is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Oh Illiadis is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson gets his hands free as Illiadis looks to control.
Illiadis seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Johnson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Illiadis is defending well though. Johnson let's go of the attempt for now.

Illiadis is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Johnson gets his way!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Illiadis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Illiadis manages to avoid it.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson scores with a leg kick.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Illiadis as he jumps to the side.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Illiadis is looking to wear down Johnson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson throws a jab when Illiadis was well out of range.
Johnson slips a straight right by Illiadis.
Johnson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Illiadis defends it well.
Illias Illiadis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illiadis bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.

It looks like Luke Johnson has been cut.
Illiadis misses with a body shot.
Illiadis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.
And Johnson tries to counter it with a takedown but Illiadis pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Johnson trying to advance position but Illiadis counters by regaining guard.
Illiadis is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Illiadis's guard.
Johnson wants to control but Illiadis is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Illiadis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Illiadis in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Illiadis tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Illiadis is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Illiadis looks a forlorn figure.

Johnson goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Illiadis turns into him and now he's in Johnson's guard.

Johnson has his foot on Illiadis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Illiadis works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pulling down on Illiadis's head to control his posture.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Illiadis from controlling successfully.
Illiadis tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Johnson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Illiadis throws an elbow that misses. Johnson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Illiadis's guard. Nice move by Johnson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Illiadis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Illiadis is retaining full guard.
Illiadis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Luke Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Illiadis keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Illiadis keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Illiadis blocks nicely.

Illiadis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Illiadis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson misses with a low kick as Illiadis jumps back.
Johnson digs a good hook to Illiadis's body.
Johnson slips under a jab from Illiadis.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Illiadis throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Illiadis misses with a few strikes there.
Johnson with the counter takedown but Illiadis avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Illiadis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Illiadis gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Illiadis's brow.
Illiadis is pulling down on Johnson's head. It's preventing any offense from Johnson, at least for the moment.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.

Illiadis looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Johnson has picked Illiadis up and slammed him! Illiadis can't keep hold of the triangle and Johnson manages to pass to side control!
Johnson wants to control but Illiadis is keeping him busy.
Johnson tries to move to mount but Illiadis blocks the move with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position but Illiadis is working away.
Illiadis is looking for a sweep.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Johnson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Illiadis's legs.
Illiadis is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnson working away.
Johnson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Illiadis's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Illiadis!
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Illiadis is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Illiadis is squirming around nicely.
Johnson raining down shots from the mount!
Illiadis manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Illiadis defends it.
Johnson working over Illiadis with some ground and pound. Illiadis looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Johnson working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Luke Johnson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Illiadis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson tries a low kick but Illiadis avoids it.
Illiadis thinks about countering with a body kick.
Illiadis misses with a straight right.
Illias Illiadis is winning the standup battle so far.
Illiadis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Illiadis, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Illiadis misses.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Illiadis.
Illiadis throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Illiadis's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Illiadis jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Illiadis lands with a nice body kick.
Good leg kick by Johnson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Johnson with a poor takedown
and Illiadis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Illias Illiadis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Johnson.
Illiadis fails to land with a series of punches.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson is looking to pass into half guard but Illiadis pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Illiadis is in guard.

Illias Illiadis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Illiadis looking to pass the guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Illiadis from controlling successfully.
Johnson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson trying to control but Illiadis is working from the bottom.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Illiadis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Illiadis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Illiadis is on top in guard.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Illiadis trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Illiadis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Johnson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Illiadis haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Illiadis moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

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 Illias Illiadis.
I think Johnson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Johnson!
Luke Johnson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Illias Illiadis had this to say: 'Whatta fuck was that! Hajime! NO IPPON!!'.