PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alec Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Johnson
vs
Baker

178 cm
19
214 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

195 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alec Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Adam Baker!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker fails with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Baker!
Baker is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baker keeps working.
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.
Baker struggling a bit here.

Baker throws Johnson to one side and escapes!
Baker tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Baker won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker regains half guard.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Baker is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Baker is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baker pushes Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Baker stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Baker is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Baker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Alec Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Baker.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baker as he jumps to the side.

Baker moves into the clinch.
Baker lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Baker keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Baker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but Baker avoids the damage to the body.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Baker blocks it.
Baker content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Baker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Baker tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Baker's efforts to push away.
Johnson is trying to push Baker away but Baker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Baker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Baker has taken the fight to the clinch.
Baker is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.

That's four 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.
Baker tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Baker is controlling him.
Baker blocks a body shot from Johnson.

Baker pulls guard effortlessly.
Baker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baker seems keen to control Johnson's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Let's hope that Baker has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Baker blocks nicely.
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 Alec Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baker is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Johnson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Baker or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson, which made it look bad.
Baker has a takedown stuffed.
Baker fails to land the takedown.
Alec Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Baker.
Nice sprawl there from Baker as Johnson shoots in.
Baker feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Baker manages to circle out of the way.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Baker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Baker shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baker pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Baker has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Johnson uses from the top position.
Baker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baker looking for a sweep. Not yet Baker, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baker wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Baker with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Baker is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.
Baker is breathing heavily.
Baker tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baker is looking to escape.
Baker is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Baker.
Baker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Baker stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Baker.
Baker tries to clinch up.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Baker leaning his opponent against the cage.
Baker stalling in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alec Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Baker.
Johnson leaves Baker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Baker shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Alec Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Baker.
Baker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Baker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.
Baker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Baker is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Baker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baker looking for a takedown.
Baker wants to stall.
Baker tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Baker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Baker has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baker is looking for a takedown.
Baker tries for a takedown but Johnson manages to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Baker tries to tie him up.
Johnson pushes off an throws an elbow but Baker leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Baker has control.
Baker jumps guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Baker backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to push Baker away but Baker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baker tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Baker tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Johnson avoiding damage as Baker throws knees to the body.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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 for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baker but Baker pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Baker replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Johnson blocks it well.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baker.
Johnson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Baker counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Johnson tries to clinch but Baker is having none of it.
Johnson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baker defends well and Johnson ends up having to push Baker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Baker appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker misses with a wild combination.
Adam Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alec Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Baker closes the distance and lands a one-two.

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 Alec Johnson.
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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

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