PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Wan Soo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix. The crowd seem to be enjoying Wan Soo's choice of entrance music: Rise of the Northstar - Welcame. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Wan Soo

180 cm
28
165 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

168 cm
27
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Curtis Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jon Wan Soo!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Damien Edna and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wan Soo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnson. Johnson obviously looking to wear him down.
Wan Soo is looking to clinch.
Curtis Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wan Soo throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Wan Soo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Wan Soo.
Wan Soo connects with a solid leg kick.
Wan Soo walks into a jab.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Wan Soo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Wan Soo continues to drive forward.
Wan Soo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Wan Soo counters with a thumping low kick.
Wan Soo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Wan Soo should have avoided that one.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Wan Soo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wan Soo lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Wan Soo closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wan Soo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnsons head.
Wan Soo is working Johnson over against the cage.
Wan Soo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wan Soo lands a hook to the side of the head.

Johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Wan Soo uses from the top position.
Wan Soo has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Archon Dojo. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson pulls Wan Soo in close to prevent any damage.
Wan Soo postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.

Wan Soo looking for a sweep. Not yet Wan Soo, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Wan Soo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson prevents Wan Soo from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wan Soo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson passes Wan Soo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wan Soo can do anything to dispel that myth.

Wan Soo is kicking away at Johnson from the bottom - trying to push off and stand up. Johnson grabs hold of a leg and drops back for a heel hook! The two fighters roll across the mat, with Wan Soo trying to push Johnson off... Wan Soo taps! He's tapped! This one is all over! A throwback to the old Pancrase there with an infrequently seen submission hold! Nice work.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Heel Hook). Curtis Johnson!
During a confident post fight interview, Curtis Johnson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.