PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mariano Slater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Johnson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Slater
vs
Johnson

159 cm
25
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mariano Slater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Slater attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Slater circles away easily

and Slater moves into the clinch.
Slater could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Slater pulls guard effortlessly.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Johnson gets to his feet - Slater follows without any prompting.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Slater keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson jumps guard and drags Slater to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
Slater might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Slater working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson has Slater pulled in close to control his posture.
Slater looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Slater throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnson has Slater pulled in close to control his posture.
Slater has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Johnson kicks Slater off and gets to his feet.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Slater as he jumps to the side.
Mariano Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Johnson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Slater.
Slater wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Slater.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Slater circles away and keeps his distance.

Slater pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Slater's efforts to push away.
Slater tries to pull guard but Johnson holds him up against the cage and eventually Slater drops back down to his feet.
Johnson lands a knee to the body.
Slater is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Johnson is working for takedown but Slater is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Slater after a bit of a struggle.
Johnson looks winded!
Slater pressing his opponent against the cage.
Slater is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
A short uppercut from Slater.
Knees to the body from Johnson.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Slater.
As Johnson tries to get set, Slater tries to push him back and clinch up but Johnson manages to avoid the attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slater looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slater misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Slater did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Johnson is just content to waste time from the top position. Slater takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Slater circles away.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Slater.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slater sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Mariano Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Johnson.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Slater shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Slater shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Johnson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Johnson instigates a clinch.

Slater breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Slater shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Slater.
Slater tries to counter by clinching up but Johnson breaks away and moves out of range.
Slater with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a left and a right that stings Slater.
Michael Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Slater sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Slater tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Slater to the ground. Slater escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Slater pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Slater throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Slater.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Slater sprawls well.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Slater checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johnson shoots in but Slater avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Slater.
Johnson with a poor takedown

and Slater counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater postures up and lands a big shot to Johnson's brow.
Slater is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Slater throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Slater throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Slater wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Slater working some strikes from top position.
Slater throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Slater with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariano Slater dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.

Johnson has Slater up against the cage in a clinch.
Slater is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Slater has his back to the cage.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Slater turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Slater tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Slater looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Slater misses with a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Mariano Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Johnson.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slater sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Slater shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Slater keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slater looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.
Mariano Slater is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Slater sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Slater throws a counter high kick but Johnson was just alert enough to avoid it.
Slater misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSlater.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Slater sprawls well.
Slater shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Slater's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Slater lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slater gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Slater manages to break the clinch.
Slater stuffs the takedown.
Slater half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Slater has taken the fight to the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Slater tries to tie him up.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Slater stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Slater around his waist. Slater gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Slater is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Slater pulls Johnson into guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Slater is keeping the position.
Mariano Slater overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Slater escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Mariano Slater showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Slater has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mariano Slater!