PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Riley Johnson (ranked 22703 p4p, 668 weight class) and Bashaad Al Hammad (ranked 6612 p4p, 554 weight class). Bashaad Al Hammad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Al Hammad

186 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

179 cm
30
171 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Riley Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bashaad Al Hammad!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Hammad doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Bashaad Al Hammad has been cut.
Al Hammad with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with an outside leg kick.

Al Hammad closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnson to the mat! Johnson manages to get full guard.
Al Hammad throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Al Hammad has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Al Hammad stops Johnson from standing up.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Al Hammad on the ground.
Al Hammad is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Hammad engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson wants to stand up but Al Hammad is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammad controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Johnson wants to improve his position but instead Al Hammad has moved into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Ground and pound from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Al Hammad is controlling well.

That's two 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.
Al Hammad slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.
Johnson wants to control but Al Hammad is keeping busy.
Al Hammad not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Al Hammad scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Al Hammad lands a nice short elbow.
Al Hammad slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Al Hammad performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Al Hammad throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Al Hammad missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Al Hammad sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Al Hammad lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Al Hammad throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Al Hammad scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Al Hammad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bashaad Al Hammad dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bashaad Al Hammad's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Al Hammad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Al Hammad shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've been told by Johnson's head coaches at Boomerang!! PURE ELITE COACHES and Sparring Center that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Al Hammad misses with a takedown
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Riley Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bashaad Al Hammad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Hammad tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammad has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Johnson enables Al Hammad to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Johnson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Johnson is trying to keep Al Hammad in close.
Bashaad Al Hammad has got the better of the ground game so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Al Hammad accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Al Hammad lands a couple of elbows.
Al Hammad working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Al Hammad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Al Hammad with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Hammad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Al Hammad working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Al Hammad lands a couple of digs.
Al Hammad lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Al Hammad works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson looking to control.
Al Hammad pushes down on Johnson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to roll over but Al Hammad keeps him under control.
Al Hammad is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Al Hammad is controlling well.
Al Hammad looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Al Hammad lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad cracks Johnson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Al Hammad has hold of Johnson's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Johnson manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Al Hammad tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Hammad is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Al Hammad looking to finish Johnson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Johnson!

Johnson is rocked!
Al Hammad prevents Johnson from getting the reversal.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Al Hammad controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
You get the feeling that Johnson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bashaad Al Hammad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bashaad Al Hammad's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Al Hammad doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with an inside leg kick.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Al Hammad doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Al Hammad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Riley Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bashaad Al Hammad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Hammad fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammad fails with the takedown
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.

Al Hammad throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Al Hammad is in Johnson's guard.
Al Hammad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Al Hammad not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Al Hammad is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Al Hammad is having none of it.
Al Hammad's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson is trying to control the position but Al Hammad postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Al Hammad shoots in.
Al Hammad with a poor takedown
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Al Hammad has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Al Hammad shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Al Hammad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Al Hammad gets the takedown into side control.
Johnson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Johnson parries the strikes from Al Hammad easily there. Al Hammad is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Johnson to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad in side control lands a decent elbow.
Johnson trying to remain calm as Al Hammad controls from the top position.
Al Hammad landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Al Hammad content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Al Hammad landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Al Hammad is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Al Hammad looks up at the clock and then as Johnson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Al Hammad smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

And that's the end of the fight!
Riley Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Al Hammad has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bashaad Al Hammad!
Bashaad Al Hammad took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Strong Suplementos 159Q/$200 for their support in the buildup to the fight.