PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Huey Curtis (ranked 6271 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Johnson (ranked 6383 p4p, 0 weight class). James Johnson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Curtis
vs
Johnson

153 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Huey Curtis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Curtis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson looks to throw a body kick
and Curtis counters with a straight right hand.
Curtis misses with a body kick.
Curtis takes a kick to the side of the head.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Curtis moved away.
Curtis takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.
Curtis looks to clinch
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Curtis avoids a kick to the body.
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 misses with a kick to the body.
Curtis jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.

Curtis moves into the clinch successfully.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Curtis could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a chopping leg kick but Curtis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johnson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Curtis has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Curtis and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nice body kick from Johnson.
Curtis doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.

Curtis takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Johnson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Curtis moves out of range easily.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Curtis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Johnson throws a body punch but Curtis moves out of range.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Curtis is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Curtis is looking to counter punch.
Curtis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Curtis stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Curtis checks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Curtis misses the target.
Johnson delivers a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Curtis's leg. Curtis is trying to keep his angry face on.
Johnson motions for Curtis to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Curtis moves out of range of the body kick.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Curtis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Curtis blocks it well.
Johnson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson delivers a nice body kick.
Johnson is looking to land body kicks.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johnson throws a push kick but Curtis slaps the foot to one side.
Curtis throws a big counter combination but Johnson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtis checks the leg kick nicely there.
Curtis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Curtis has managed to clinch.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Curtis takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Johnson lands a leg kick that knocks Curtis off balance momentarily.
Curtis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Curtis tries to clinch up.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
It looked like Curtis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Curtis sees coming a mile off.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Curtis moved away.
Curtis throws a big counter combination but Johnson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Curtis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Curtis checks a leg kick.
Curtis wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Curtis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Curtis moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson throws a head kick but Curtis moves out of range.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Curtis takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Johnson wants to slow Curtis down by chopping away at his legs.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curtis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnson. Johnson obviously looking to wear him down.
Curtis checks a low kick from Johnson.
Curtis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnson. Johnson obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Curtis moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis throws a combination that misses

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Johnson trying to control from Curtis's half guard. Curtis has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Curtis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Curtis is adopting a defensive guard.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Curtis has wrist control.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Curtis keeps moving.
Johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up in Curtis's guard and throws a big left but Curtis blocks it.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Curtis wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Curtis thinks about countering with a body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Curtis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Curtis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a head kick but Curtis moves out of range.
Johnson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Curtis on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Johnson throws a push kick but Curtis slaps the foot to one side.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
James Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson tries a low kick but Curtis avoids it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Curtis throws a wild body kick that Johnson sees coming a mile off.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Curtis was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Curtis checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Curtis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Curtis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses
and Curtis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A leg kick checked by Curtis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Curtis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Curtis tries to clinch but Johnson moves away
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Curtis will be more careful next time no doubt.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Curtis was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Curtis will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Johnson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Curtis checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Curtis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
James Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Johnson - that will leave a mark!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Curtis tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Curtis on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Curtis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed right hand from Curtis misses the target.
Johnson throws a leg kick
and Curtis counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Curtis is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Curtis is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Curtis throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Curtis moves out of range easily.
Johnson tries to score with a low kick but Curtis moves his leg out of the way.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Curtis throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Curtis moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Curtis sees coming a mile off.
Curtis tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Curtis looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson wants to counter the offense by Curtis and move into the clinch position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Curtis moves out of range of the body kick.
Curtis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sloppy strikes from Curtis. Those never looked like landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Curtis moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a head kick.
Johnson throws a right hand that Curtis ducks under and follows up with a left that Curtis also avoids with ease.
Johnson lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a leg kick but Curtis saw it coming and moves away.
Curtis scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Curtis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Curtis walks into a left hand.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Curtis is just out of range.
Curtis is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtis has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Johnson.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Curtis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Curtis moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Curtis takes a step back to recover.
Johnson throws a push kick but Curtis slaps the foot to one side.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A counter left hand to the body from Curtis misses its target.
Johnson scoring well with a low kick there.
James Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson throws out a leg kick but Curtis moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a leg kick but Curtis sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Curtis throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Huey Curtis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson tries to work over Curtis's front leg with a kick but Curtis checks it.
It looked like Curtis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Johnson!
A very excited looking James Johnson rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.