PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nick Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Roumani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to On March The Saints. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Roumani

170 cm
23
159 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
155 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ali Roumani!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roumani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Roumani looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roumani throws out the jab.
Johnson lands with a straight right. Roumani didn't see that one coming.
Roumani lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Roumani chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
Roumani throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Roumani scores with a leg kick.
Roumani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Roumani throws a big shot that misses.
Roumani misses with a lunging right hand
and Roumani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Roumani misses the shot to the body.
Roumani connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnson momentarily.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Roumani against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roumani's efforts to push away.
Roumani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Roumani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeps control of Roumani as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Roumani thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Roumani.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Roumani shakes it off.
Roumani lands with an uppercut that bounces Johnson off the cage and back into range.
Johnson scores with a jab. Roumani acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Roumani misses the jab.
Johnson lands a really nice looking cross but Roumani seems unphased.
Roumani moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Roumani! But no joy.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Roumani fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Johnson checks it well.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Roumani scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Roumani on the side of the head.
Johnson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roumani.

Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roumani's efforts to push away.

Roumani manages to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Roumani tried to score with a low kick but Johnson checks it.
Johnson misses with a hook. Roumani ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circling - Roumani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson moves out of range as Roumani strikes.
Johnson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Roumani moves out of range of the strikes.
Roumani misses with a low kick.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnson misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roumani takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson connects with a body shot.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Roumani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Roumani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Roumani's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Roumani throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Roumani throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Roumani loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Roumani's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Roumani scrambles back to his feet.
Roumani misses with a leg kick.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Roumani is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roumani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Roumani lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Roumani is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Roumani.
Roumani is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Roumani on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Roumani misses the target.
Roumani throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Roumani. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Roumani.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Roumani counters with a left and a right that stings Johnson.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Johnson.
Roumani takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Roumani throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Roumani seems to have recovered his senses.
Johnson cracks the inside of Roumani's front leg.
Johnson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johnson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Roumani slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson jabs at Roumani's body.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Roumani manages to avoid it.
Roumani changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Roumani punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roumani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Johnson misses the jab.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Roumani throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Roumani was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Roumani falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Roumani shrugs it off.
Roumani throws a front kick aimed at Johnson's knee but Johnson avoids it well.
Roumani slips under a jab.
Roumani scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roumani can do to turn this around?
Roumani throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nick Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Roumani looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Roumani's shoulder, as Roumani tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roumani connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Roumani throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Johnson lands an uppercut.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Roumani misses with a hook.
Roumani lands a two punch combo.
Johnson fakes the leg kick and cracks Roumani in the body.
The crowd cheers as Roumani lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson throws a hook but Roumani blocks it.
Roumani misses with a straight right.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Roumani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson throws a hook but Roumani blocks it.
Johnson throws a body punch but Roumani moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roumani dips to his left and cracks Johnson with an uppercut!
Johnson misses with a hook. Roumani ducked under it nicely.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Roumani has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Johnson with a jab.
Roumani misses with a looping left.
Roumani missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Johnson checks a leg kick.
Roumani takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Roumani swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Roumani looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Johnson is looking to slow Roumani down with leg kicks.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Johnson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johnson there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes one on the button.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Roumani against the cage.
Johnson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Roumani's elbow.
Roumani looking for a takedown.
Roumani is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Roumani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Roumani. That did some damage!

Johnson clinches with his opponent.

Johnson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Roumani can't fight it off and eventually Johnson manages to take the fight to the floor. Roumani looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Roumani has wrist control.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Roumani working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson postures up.

Roumani throws his legs up looking for a submission but Johnson uses it to pass to side control.
Roumani is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Roumani down.
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Johnson 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 thumps Roumani with a low kick.
Roumani throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Roumani chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Roumani ducks down to avoid it.
Roumani looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Roumani.
Roumani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Roumani on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Roumani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Roumani walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roumani scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johnson in his tracks.
Johnson throws a body punch but Roumani moves out of range.
Roumani let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Roumani throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Roumani thuds his right hand into Johnson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.
Roumani avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roumani misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Roumani moves away.
Roumani missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Roumani throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Roumani's head.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Roumani fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Roumani misses with a straight left.
Roumani throws a low kick, looking for Johnson's leg but Johnson calmly moves out of range.
Johnson misses with a hook. Roumani ducked under it nicely.
Roumani takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Roumani down.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roumani.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Johnson.
Roumani has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Roumani's shoulder, as Roumani tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
Roumani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson throws out a leg kick but Roumani moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.
A jab from Roumani misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Roumani finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Roumani throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Roumani loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson cracks Roumani with an open hand slap.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roumani. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Roumani throws a big shot that misses.
Roumani misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Roumani knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson swings for the body but Roumani moves out of range.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
Johnson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Roumani's calf.
Roumani throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Roumani's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sloppy strikes from Roumani. Those never looked like landing.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Roumani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Roumani's sensitive parts.
Johnson throws a body punch but Roumani moves out of range.
Roumani tries a quick counter leg kick but Johnson is wise to it.
Johnson's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
A clash of legs there as Roumani blocks the low kick.
A nice side step and Roumani releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ali Roumani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roumani.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roumani looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Roumani throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Nick Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Roumani misses with an uppercut.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
You can see that Roumani has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Roumani down.
Roumani moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Roumani throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Roumani misses.
Johnson lands a front kick.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Roumani.
A telegraphed right hand from Roumani misses the target.
Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Roumani gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.
Roumani is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Roumani down to the mat. Roumani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Johnson!
After the fight, Nick Johnson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.