PBP Commentary

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

Johnson
vs
Octavian

194 cm
18
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
18
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

King of Clothes

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Quintus Octavian!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Chris Saunders and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Octavian sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Octavian coming out on top.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Octavian as he avoids it easily.
Octavian stuns Johnson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Octavian counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson shoots in but Octavian avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Octavian lands a really nice looking cross but Johnson seems unphased.
Octavian lands with a nice body kick.
Octavian lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crunch! Octavian slams his shin into Johnson's torso.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
And Octavian responds with a good body kick, but Johnson manages to step out the way in time.
Johnson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Octavian.
Johnson has been working on his balance at ICON TOP TEAM, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Octavian.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Octavian.
Good shot there by Octavian.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Octavian lands the left hand.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Octavian gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.
And Octavian responds with a good body kick, but Johnson manages to step out the way in time.

Johnson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Octavian is defending the position.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Johnson not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Octavian is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Johnson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Octavian has managed to free his arm - good work.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Octavian does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Octavian trying to control from the bottom.
Octavian is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Johnson trying to control but Octavian is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Octavian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Octavian wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Octavian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Octavian's guard.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Octavian is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson trying to control but Octavian is working from the bottom.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Octavian trying to remain calm as Johnson controls from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quintus Octavian dominated that 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.

Octavian lands a right hook to the body.
Octavian connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
Octavian clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Octavian loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Octavian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Octavian defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Octavian counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Octavian counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Octavian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Octavian defends well and Johnson ends up having to push Octavian into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Octavian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
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!
Octavian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Octavian lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Octavian saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Octavian works Johnson's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Octavian fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Octavian lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.
Octavian jabs at Johnson's body.
Octavian lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Octavian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Octavian swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
Octavian scoring well with a low kick there.
Octavian thows a body kick. Johnson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Octavian thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Octavian changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Octavian sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little jabbing left from Octavian on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Octavian scores with a kick to the body.
Octavian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Octavian throws a shot to the body.
Octavian lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Octavian.
Nice body kick there by Octavian.
Octavian lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Octavian pushes Johnson away with a front kick.
Octavian cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
The crowd cheers as Octavian lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Octavian scores with a body shot.
Octavian throws a quick inside leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Octavian finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Octavian thuds his shin into the meat of Johnson's side.
Octavian scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Octavian scores with a spinning back kick!
Johnson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Octavian.
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Johnson tries to move into range but Octavian moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Octavian as he avoids it easily.
Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Octavian lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Octavian throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Octavian scores with a nice body kick.
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Quintus Octavian seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Octavian connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Octavian wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Octavian connects with a body shot.
Jab by Octavian.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Octavian scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Octavian lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Octavian thumps Johnson with a low kick.
Quintus Octavian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Octavian thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Octavian lands with a nice body kick.
Octavian is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Johnson rather than just go for the knockout.
Johnson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Octavian scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Octavian misses with a jab, cross combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Octavian misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quintus Octavian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Octavian with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Octavian sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Octavian.
Octavian counters with a body kick.
Octavian lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Octavian thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Octavian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Octavian is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Octavian keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Octavian.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Octavian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Octavian really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson is looking to pass into half guard but Octavian pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Octavian is in guard.

Octavian looking to pass the guard.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Octavian pushes his legs off easily.
Anthony Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Octavian's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Octavian must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Octavian being controlled here momentarily.

Johnson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Octavian stacks Johnson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Octavian!
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Octavian wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Octavian defends it easily.
Johnson has control of Octavian's left arm, preventing Octavian from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Octavian wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

Octavian is posturing up here but Johnson has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Octavian tries to roll out but it's too tight and Octavian has to tap! Slick submission there by Johnson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anthony Johnson!
An out of breath Anthony Johnson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.