PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Johnson
vs
Kirkland

184 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Sully's Bar & Grill
Leviathan Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jerry Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thomas Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirkland moves to clinch but Johnson breaks away
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Johnson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Johnson gets caught napping as Kirkland dives in and scores a takedown. Johnson manages to retain guard.
Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kirkland with a nice head shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirkland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson is pulling down on Kirkland's head. It's preventing any offense from Kirkland, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.

Johnson tries to sprawl but Kirkland drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Johnson is looking to control Kirkland's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Kirkland wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Kirkland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Still in half guard, Kirkland seems content to control.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kirkland on the ground.
Kirkland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kirkland is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kirkland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Kirkland is looking to stall here but Johnson recovers full guard.
Kirkland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Johnson wants to control from the top but Kirkland keeps moving.
Kirkland 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.
Kirkland controlling Johnson's posture.

Kirkland is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Johnson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirkland's elbow.
Kirkland fails to pull guard.
Johnson lands a body punch.
Kirkland takes a shot to the head.
Kirkland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Johnson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kirkland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jerry Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Kirkland.
Kirkland avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Kirkland is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Johnson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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 Jerry Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kirkland walks into a left hand.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Johnson misses with a low kick as Kirkland jumps back.
Kirkland drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Johnson defends it well.

Kirkland shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kirkland looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kirkland can do to turn this around?
Kirkland wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Kirkland controlling Johnson's posture.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirkland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kirkland winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kirkland throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Kirkland throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Kirkland stalling.
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Kirkland sits in half guard.

That's two 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.
Kirkland has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kirkland throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.

Kirkland is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Kirkland eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Kirkland keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kirkland jumps into side control!
Kirkland in side control, throwing shots but Johnson defends.
Johnson being controlled for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Let's hope that Kirkland 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.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kirkland.
Kirkland shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kirkland fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jerry Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Kirkland.
Kirkland's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kirkland scrambles back to his feet.
Kirkland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kirkland fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Kirkland persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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 Jerry Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson digs a good hook to Kirkland's body.
Kirkland is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kirkland shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kirkland misses with a takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jerry Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Kirkland.
Donk. Johnson catches Kirkland right on the button with a cross.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson lands a jab to the nose.
Kirkland shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kirkland's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Johnson lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kirkland is defended easily by Johnson.
Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Kirkland fails to land the takedown.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Johnson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kirkland shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Kirkland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thomas Kirkland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with an uppercut that bounces Kirkland off the cage and back into range.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kirkland.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Kirkland's ribs.
Kirkland fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jerry Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirkland takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kirkland takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jerry Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Johnson motions for Kirkland to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kirkland tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson clinches up with Kirkland and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kirkland has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Johnson.
Thomas Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kirkland wants a takedown.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Kirkland has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kirkland fails with an attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerry Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jerry Johnson!
Jerry Johnson thanked the fans post fight for their support.