PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 3169 p4p, 429 weight class) and Midnight Rider (ranked 4085 p4p, 522 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Johnson
vs
Rider

189 cm
20
216 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
214 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 - 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Midnight Rider!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rider shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Rider keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rider avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Rider shoots in.
Rider throws an off balance right hand
and Johnson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Johnson with a nice cross.

It looks like Midnight Rider has been cut.
Nice uppercut there from Rider.
A cross from Rider lands.
Rider throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Johnson tries to bum rush Rider with a series of wild strikes but Rider uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rider with the counter takedown but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Rider uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rider shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Anthony Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Midnight Rider.

Johnson forces Rider back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rider blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson tries to work over Rider's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.

Rider pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rider.
Johnson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rider takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Johnson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rider looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.
Anthony Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rider avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Johnson is looking to wear down Rider with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Rider looks winded!
The fighters circling - Rider throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
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!
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rider moves away.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rider.

Johnson cracks Rider with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Rider looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Johnson finish him?

Rider is rocked!

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Rider is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson pushes Rider against the cage. Johnson is working some dirty boxing. Johnson pushes off with a quick right hook! Rider goes down! Rider tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Johnson moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anthony Johnson!