PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Johnson (ranked 4319 p4p, 470 weight class) and Mikko Makela (ranked 4859 p4p, 516 weight class). Mikko Makela has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Makela

178 cm
18
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Aspire Nutrition
Fanatic Inc.

Phantom Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrew Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Makela!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws a head kick but Makela moves out of range.
Makela tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson tries to clinch but Makela is having none of it.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Makela counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Johnson!
Johnson is not content to let Makela control the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Makela is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is not content to let Makela control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makela misses with the ground and pound.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Makela on the ground.
Makela wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

Makela thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Johnson parries the strikes from Makela easily there. Makela is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Johnson to escape.
Makela wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Dungeon Brawler Gym ($800/week) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Makela working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Makela cracks Johnson with a big right hand but Johnson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Makela working the head and body with strikes.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Makela landing strikes.
Makela has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makela trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Makela controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Makela is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson is trying to buck Makela off.

Makela is working to tighten his grip on Johnson's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Johnson has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Makela is really squeezing tight and eventually Johnson passes out! Makela breaks the hold and jumps onto the ropes to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mikko Makela!