PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balrog Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Capwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights . Balrog Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Capwell

192 cm
47
216 lbs
35 - 22 - 0

183 cm
43
217 lbs
38 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 35 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Balrog Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mason Capwell!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Capwell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Capwell manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Capwell passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Capwell is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
Capwell not doing much here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson wants to control but Capwell is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capwell wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Capwell controlling the action here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Capwell gets the takedown into side control.
Capwell remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson is trying to control Capwell's posture but Capwell avoids it.
Capwell tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Capwell might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Johnson holding on.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Capwell tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Johnson seems a little lost for a moment, as Capwell dominates the positioning.

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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Capwell tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.

Capwell fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Capwell is now in Johnson's guard.
Capwell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
Capwell is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mason Capwell dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Capwell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with an inside leg kick.
Capwell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
Johnson tried to counter with a leg kick but Capwell avoided it.

Capwell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Capwell is staying tight to Johnson's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Johnson prevents Capwell from moving into mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson seems a little lost for a moment, as Capwell dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson tries to bench press Capwell off him but Capwell keeps the position.
Capwell tries to advance to mount but Johnson denies him.
A lull in the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Capwell 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capwell passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Capwell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Capwell is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Capwell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Balrog Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mason Capwell.
Capwell shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Capwell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Capwell shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Capwell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Capwell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Capwell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Capwell.
It appears Johnson was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Capwell misses with a takedown attempt
and Capwell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Capwell is breathing heavily.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mason Capwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson scoring well with a low kick there.
Capwell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Capwell somewhat.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mason Capwell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Capwell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson is looking to chop away at Capwell's legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a low kick but Capwell avoids it.
Some bone on bone action there as Capwell checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Capwell changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
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 Balrog Johnson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Capwell drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Capwell controls the pace.
Mason Capwell has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capwell being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capwell controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Capwell checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Capwell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
A lull in the action here as Capwell stalls from top position.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capwell controlling the position.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Capwell passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Johnson!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Capwell has a good base and remains in mount.
Capwell controlling from the full mount.
Capwell fails to take his opponent's back.
Capwell content just to control the position here.
Let's hope that Capwell 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.

That's four 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.
Capwell fails to take his opponent's back.
Johnson tries to hold on but Capwell pushes him away.
Capwell is trying to take his opponent's back.
Capwell controlling the position easily from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson tries to hold on but Capwell postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mason Capwell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Capwell has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mason Capwell!
An out of breath Mason Capwell thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.