PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pollo Tropical (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Johnson
vs
Tropical

194 cm
21
215 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

185 cm
21
210 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 7 - 5 - 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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pollo Tropical!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tropical throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson dives in and grabs Tropical's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tropical pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Tropical with the counter takedown but Johnson avoids it easily.
Tropical throws a combination. Johnson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And Tropical tries to counter it with a takedown but Johnson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tropical lands a slapping body shot.
Tropical defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropical throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson throws a body punch but Tropical moves out of range.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Tropical counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tropical must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tropical manages to get himself to full guard.

Tropical is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Tropical wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tropical swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Tropical wants to stand back up but Johnson manages to pass into side control.
Johnson trying to control the action but Tropical is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tropical struggling a bit here.

Johnson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Tropical rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Johnson's guard! Nice work there by Tropical!

Tropical gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.

Johnson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropical is trying to get back to half guard.
Tropical holding on.

Johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but Tropical is defending well.
Tropical is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Johnson tries for a kimura but Tropical is defending well.
Tropical holding on.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tropical has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tropical is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Johnson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pollo Tropical dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Tropical tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.
Tropical is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Tropical is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropical is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropical is trying to get back to full guard.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tropical is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Tropical wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Tropical is having none of it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tropical gets back to full guard.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tropical swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson trying to control but Tropical is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Tropical moves into the clinch.
Tropical lands a nice shot to the body.

Tropical manages to break the clinch.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Tropical. Tropical maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropical lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Tropical has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson jumps guard but Tropical turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good body shot from Tropical.
Johnson jumps guard but Tropical stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tropical lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A body shot lands from Tropical.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Johnson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tropical scores with a hook to the body.
Tropical has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice body punch from Tropical.
Johnson jumps guard but Tropical stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tropical working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tropical lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tropical leaning against his opponent.
Still in the clinch, Tropical scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tropical lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Tropical holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Tropical displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
Tropical scores with a hook to the body.
Johnson takes an elbow to the forehead.
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!
Tropical lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Tropical has him pressed against the cage.
Tropical lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tropical is leaning against Johnson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A hook to the body from Tropical.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tropical lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pollo Tropical showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tropical misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Tropical manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tropical with the counter takedown but Johnson avoids it easily.
Pollo Tropical is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Tropical now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Tropical scores with a jab.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Tropical counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Johnson shoots in but Tropical avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And Tropical tries to counter it with a takedown but Johnson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tropical uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropical wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Tropical's head but Tropical sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tropical lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Anthony Johnson has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Oooooh!!! Tropical has knocked Johnson down with a huge combo! Tropical steps away and waves a wobbly Johnson back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oooooh!!! Tropical has knocked Johnson down with a huge combo! Tropical steps away and waves a wobbly Johnson back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Johnson is rocked!

Tropical has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Tropical has him pressed against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Tropical.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Tropical lands a nice shot to the body.
Tropical lands an uppercut.
Tropical just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Tropical lands a nice elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tropical lands a left hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Tropical lands with a left to the head.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tropical smiles and moves away.
Tropical stalks Johnson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Johnson's face. Johnson staggers backwards, shaken.
Anthony Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots and misses

and Tropical counters with a crisp one two that drops Johnson! Tropical thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Johnson to his feet! Johnson is in big trouble!
A cross from Tropical lands.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tropical defends it nicely.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Tropical has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tropical scores with a hook to the body.
Tropical lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Tropical lands a left hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Johnson jumps guard but Tropical stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropical stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tropical.
Tropical lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tropical lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Tropical.
Tropical effectively controlling the action here.
Tropical lands a body shot.
Pollo Tropical is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tropical lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Stalling in the clinch from Tropical.
Tropical lands a nice shot to the body.
Tropical pushes Johnson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tropical presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Tropical lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tropical.
A right hand to the body from Tropical.
A right hand to the body from Tropical.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson takes a shot to the head.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tropical smiles and moves away.
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand
and Tropical counters with a two punch combo.
Tropical connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tropical works over Johnson's head and body with a nice combination.
A combination from Tropical does no damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tropical.
Tropical scores with a three punch combo!
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand

and Tropical counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pollo Tropical comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tropical has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 26:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pollo Tropical!
A very excited looking Pollo Tropical made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.