PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James McMannus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Fletcher Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McMannus kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Game - Name Me King (Feat. Pusha T). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

McMannus
vs
Fletcher Johnson

196 cm
26
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
26
245 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James McMannus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Fletcher Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Jonathan Paton and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMannus swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but McMannus shows good takedown defense.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but McMannus shows good takedown defense.

McMannus changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
McMannus is controlling the pace.

Johnson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. McMannus keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McMannus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
James McMannus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Fletcher Johnson.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMannus is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.

McMannus has picked Johnson up - he's going for a ride! McMannus dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to McMannus's head to control him but McMannus postures up.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute McMannus jumps into side control!
Johnson looks winded!
The referee asks McMannus politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. McMannus prefers to stall for the moment though.
Johnson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McMannus's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMannus controlling the pace.
McMannus takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McMannus working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McMannus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McMannus takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nice strikes from McMannus there.

McMannus seems to be looking for submissions.
McMannus could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMannus controlling the pace.
Johnson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson wants to control but McMannus is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McMannus winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
McMannus tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
McMannus working the head and body with strikes.

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.
McMannus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Johnson!
McMannus controlling from the full mount.
Johnson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James McMannus 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.

McMannus tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from McMannus.

McMannus shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McMannus is standing up over Johnson. Johnson looks to escape but McMannus dives into side control.

McMannus is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
McMannus takes a little break here. Johnson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McMannus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson prevents McMannus from improving position.
McMannus is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.

McMannus is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson is not content to let McMannus control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

McMannus decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McMannus.
McMannus is staying tight to Johnson's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
McMannus cracks Johnson with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McMannus stands up and we're back to a striking position.
McMannus cracks Johnson with a good jab.

It looks like Joe Fletcher Johnson has been cut.

McMannus shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

McMannus escapes and gets back to his feet.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
McMannus darts in looking for a takedown but Johnson gets double underhooks and turns McMannus into the cage.

Johnson has closed the distance and engaged McMannus in a clinch.

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 McMannus uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
McMannus controlling from the top position.

McMannus stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McMannus can't get the takedown.
McMannus tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James McMannus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Fletcher Johnson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Johnson dives in and grabs McMannus's left leg, looking for a takedown. McMannus pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
McMannus is looking to counter the offense by Johnson and move into the clinch.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McMannus avoids it really well and circles away.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from McMannus.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McMannus closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnson to the mat! Johnson manages to get full guard.
McMannus forces his way into half guard.
Johnson trying to control here.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMannus slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McMannus wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McMannus perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McMannus is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
McMannus with a couple of short strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to reverse the position but instead McMannus has taken his back - oops!
I would not like to be Johnson right now.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but McMannus has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMannus is hanging on to Johnson's back as he tries to escape.
McMannus really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Johnson.
James McMannus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McMannus seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Johnson for as long as he can get away with.
McMannus lands an elbow to the side of the head.
McMannus is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee is taking a good look at Johnson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from McMannus!
McMannus controlling from the back.

Johnson fending off the submission attempt from McMannus.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McMannus punches Johnson on the ear.

And that's the end of the fight!
James McMannus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McMannus, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James McMannus!