PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Karate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Joey Karate has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Karate
vs
Johnson

191 cm
26
220 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

194 cm
19
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joey Karate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Karate misses with a head kick.
Karate throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Johnson.

It looks like Anthony Johnson has been cut.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Karate.
Karate misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson shoots in but Karate avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Karate tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Karate.
Karate tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Joey Karate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Johnson.
A head kick misses from Karate.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Karate.
Karate throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Karate fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karate scores with a head kick. Johnson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Karate tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Karate manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Karate went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson passes Karate's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson trying to control the action but Karate is working from the bottom.
Karate's coaches at mickeyharts the greatest have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Karate is defending well.
Johnson not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Karate is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Karate knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Karate trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the action but Karate is working from the bottom.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Karate is trying to control but can't.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnson in particular looking to stall.
Karate is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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 controlling the action here.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Johnson seems to be looking for submissions.
Johnson moves into full mount! Karate won't be happy about that!
Johnson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Johnson has control of Karate's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Karate regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson controlling 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 Joey Karate will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Anthony Johnson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Karate displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Karate manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Johnson is pushing down on Karate's leg trying to pass to half guard. Karate is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Karate tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Karate looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Karate is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karate trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.
Karate looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Karate is squirming around nicely.
Johnson with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Johnson is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Johnson extends the arm and Karate is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anthony Johnson!
Anthony Johnson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.