PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and First Second (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Second

150 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, First Second!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Second scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Second throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Second throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Second.
Second working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Second is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Second in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Second with a flurry of punches that miss.
Second in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Second chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Second postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Second throws a big right hand that misses.
Second throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Second keeps the fight on the outside.

Second drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Second throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Second working the head with strikes.
The ground and pound from Second seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Second tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Second looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Johnson is avoiding damage well.
Second working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Second looks up at the clock and then as Johnson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Second smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Second working the ground and pound from side control.
Second throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Second throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Johnson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Second.
Second not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson trying to control here.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Second is working away from the top position though.
Second is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Second missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Second missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Second sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Second gets a double leg takedown into Johnson's guard.
Second stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Second with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Second.
Second stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Second with a nice head shot there.
Second lands a couple of elbows.
Second with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Second slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Second is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Second throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Second with a flurry of punches that miss.
Second loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Second keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Second throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Second throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Second is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Second lands a couple of elbows.
Second throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Johnson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Second to score an easy takedown into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Second 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.
First Second has got the better of the ground game so far.
Second throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Second postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Second throws a big elbow that misses.
Second scoring with some ground and pound.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Second scoring with some ground and pound.
Second throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson stops Second from standing up.
Second is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Second has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Second from getting back to his feet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Second won't let him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Second shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Second postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Second throwing strikes but missing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Second's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Second postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Second chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Second throws an elbow that misses. Johnson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Second's guard. Nice move by Johnson!

Johnson is looking to stand up but Second won't let him.
Second is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson wants to stand but Second is controlling his posture from full guard.
Johnson stops Second from standing up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Johnson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Second to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Second throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Second throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Second wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Second is proving hard to escape from.
Second wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Second has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Second fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Second persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

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.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Second.
Second thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Second lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Second thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Johnson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Second.
Second with a nice head shot there.
Second throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Second.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Second throwing strikes but missing.
Second lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

First Second showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Second looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Second.
Second seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Second sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
Second not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ground and pound from Second.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson is in trouble now - Second has advanced to mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Second lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Poor strikes thrown by Second there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Second throwing strikes here but Johnson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Second scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Johnson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Second working the ground and pound effectively.
Second fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Second working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Johnson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Second.
Second thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Second cracks Johnson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Second gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Second raining down shots from the mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Second lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Johnson is in a horrible position here. Second smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Second raining down hammerfists from mount.
Johnson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Second cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Johnson manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Johnson, under a barage of strikes from Second.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Second missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Second.
Second missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson has hold of Second's hands but Second slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Second.
Second thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Second thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson wants to control but Second is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Second scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Second working the head with strikes.
Second misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Second working away.
Second in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Second tries to score with some ground and pound. Johnson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Second tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Second in side control, throwing shots but Johnson defends.
Second sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Johnson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Second throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Second throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Johnson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Second not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
John Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
John Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Second shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Second working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
First Second comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Second has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight for First Second!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for First Second!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for First Second!

First Second wins by unanimous decision!