PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Salvatore Johnston (ranked 8449 p4p, 0 weight class) and MIke Fernandes (ranked 6406 p4p, 226 weight class). MIke Fernandes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnston
vs
Fernandes

178 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

215 cm
25
290 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Salvatore Johnston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, MIke Fernandes!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

It looks like Salvatore Johnston has been cut.

Fernandes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnston is looking to control Fernandes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnston avoid being mounted?
Fernandes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Fernandes tries to pass to full mount but Johnston defends it.
Johnston tries to roll over but Fernandes keeps him under control.
Johnston is trying to control but can't.
Fernandes wants to free his trapped foot but Johnston is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnston trying to control here.
Fernandes sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Johnston really is a fat lump.

Fernandes has closed the distance and engaged Johnston in a clinch.

Fernandes successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes is pulling down on Johnston's head. It's preventing any offense from Johnston, at least for the moment.

Fernandes pushes Johnston off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Johnston enables Fernandes to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Johnston manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Fernandes drops back looking for a leg! Johnston is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnston manages to kick Fernandes off! Fernandes jumps back into Johnston's guard.
Johnston is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fernandes throws a big right hand that misses.
Fernandes postures up.
Fernandes controlling from the top position.
Fernandes forces his way into half guard.
Johnston might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fernandes stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnston wants to control the action here but instead Fernandes manages to pass to full mount!
Johnston tries to lock up and control but Fernandes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fernandes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Johnston is in all sorts of trouble here.
Fernandes controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnston wants to control but Fernandes is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MIke Fernandes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Salvatore Johnston's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fernandes has Johnston up against the cage in a clinch.
Fernandes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fernandes just leaning against Johnston, taking a breather.

Fernandes gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Johnston regains guard.
Johnston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fernandes on the ground.
Johnston trying to keep a closed guard but Fernandes is proving a slippery customer.
Johnston is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Johnston looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fernandes is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Johnston's guard.

Fernandes decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Fernandes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnston wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Fernandes manages to pass to side control.

Johnston wants to control but Fernandes is keeping busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fernandes stands up and beckons Johnston to join him on the feet.

Fernandes moves into the clinch successfully.

Fernandes is trying to trip Johnston. He has hold of a leg but Johnston is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Fernandes persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Johnston wants to get back to his feet but Fernandes passes into half guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in half guard, Fernandes seems content to control.
Johnston trying to control here.
Johnston wants to improve his position but Fernandes is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fernandes passes to full mount!
Johnston is trying desperately to improve position.
Fernandes punching from mount but Johnston doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston tries to hold on but Fernandes pushes him away.
MIke Fernandes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fernandes content just to control the position here.
Fernandes misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Johnston holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Fernandes tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnston is in a horrible position here. Fernandes smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fernandes looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MIke Fernandes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Salvatore Johnston's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fernandes closes the distance and pushes Johnston back into the cage.

Fernandes tightens his grip and picks Johnston up, before dumping him to the ground. Johnston manages to land in guard.
Fernandes is stalling in the full guard.
Johnston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnston trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandes slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Johnston.
Fernandes is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston trying to hold on to Fernandes's head to control him but Fernandes postures up.
Fernandes controlling the action here.
Johnston tries to roll over but Fernandes keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernandes stops Johnston from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fernandes tries to pass to full mount but Johnston defends it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fernandes in particular looking to stall.

Fernandes stands up out of the half guard.

Fernandes clinches up against the cage.
Johnston wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Fernandes jumps guard and drags Johnston to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Fernandes has his hands on Johnston's head, controlling the position.

Johnston got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fernandes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnston has managed to get both his arms back between Fernandes's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandes is looking for a triangle but Johnston pushes his legs off easily.

Johnston stands up and waves to Fernandes to follow him.
Johnston has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fernandes finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnston's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Fernandes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnston napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnston struggling a bit here.
Fernandes works to advance to full mount. Johnston defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Fernandes takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnston is desperately trying to improve his position but Fernandes has a good base and remains in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
MIke Fernandes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fernandes 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... MIke Fernandes!