PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wendell Finley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lonny Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Finley
vs
Johnson

187 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

199 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wendell Finley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lonny Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johnson is keen to just control but Finley is a slippery customer.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Finley regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Johnson.
Finley keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finley trying to strike off his back.
Johnson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnson controls the pace.
Finley looking for a sweep. Not yet Finley, not yet.
Finley keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Finley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Finley!

Finley stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson pulls Finley in close to prevent any damage.
Finley preventing the sweep.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Finley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Finley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finley working some strikes from top position.
Finley has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Johnson is proving hard to escape from.
Finley lands a couple of elbows.
Finley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Finley missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson controlling Finley's posture.

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

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into Finley's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Finley is working from the bottom.
Finley avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Finley keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson won't allow Finley to get back to his feet.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Johnson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Finley manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Finley has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Finley stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
Finley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Finley wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Finley isn't so interested in that idea.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson wants to sweep here but Finley controlling him for the moment.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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 Wendell Finley will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Finley tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.

Finley has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Johnson prevents Finley from breaking the clinch.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Finley regains guard.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Finley has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.
Finley really is a fat lump.
Finley avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Finley keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Finley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Finley!

Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Finley is controlling him.
Finley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Finley off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Finley off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Finley pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Finley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson throws a strike but Finley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Finley throws a big right hand that misses.

Finley gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Finley has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.

Finley breaks from the clinch.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Finley to the mat! Finley manages to get full guard.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Finley swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Finley wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Johnson is pushing down on Finley's leg trying to pass to half guard. Finley is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnson controlling the action here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Finley defends it.
We've been informed that Johnson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Finley's head.
Well, if Johnson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Johnson is pressing down on Finley's thigh, looking to free his foot. Finley is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Finley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Finley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson is looking to stall here but Finley recovers full guard.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson stops Finley from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lonny Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Johnson working Finley over with strikes.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Finley is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson throws a strike but Finley avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Finley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

It looks like Wendell Finley has been cut.

Finley 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Finley keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Finley has wrist control.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Finley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Finley!

Johnson pushes Finley off and scrambles back to his feet.

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Finley's guard.

Johnson stands up from Finley's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lonny Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Finley gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finley is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Finley keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Johnson stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Finley throws up his legs and catches Johnson in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Johnson tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Finley! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Wendell Finley!