PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rampage Johnson (ranked 2005 p4p, 276 weight class) and Freddie Stokes (ranked 3456 p4p, 444 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Guns N' Roses - November Rain. A fine choice. Stokes has chosen Never Scared by Whole Wheat Bread as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Johnson
vs
Stokes

164 cm
25
206 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
215 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rampage Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Freddie Stokes!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stokes tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rampage Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Stokes gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.
Stokes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stokes sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Stokes pushes Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Stokes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stokes thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stokes just misses with a punch to the body.
Stokes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rampage Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Stokes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stokes continues to drive forward.

Johnson feints and as Stokes raises his hands in defense, Johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stokes told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stokes is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Stokes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stokes manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Stokes's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson passes Stokes's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Stokes defends the submission attempt.
Johnson stops Stokes from getting back to his feet.
Stokes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Stokes is defending well.

Johnson is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Stokes is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rampage Johnson!
Rampage Johnson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.