PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Demitrious Johnson (ranked 21746 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rubens Charles (ranked 2772 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Johnson
vs
Charles

156 cm
29
140 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

170 cm
24
138 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demitrious Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rubens Charles!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Charles!

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Charles struggling a bit here.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Charles has escaped the position, nice work there.

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Charles's legs.

Johnson swings around for an armbar but Charles sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Johnson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.

Johnson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Charles is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Johnson.
Johnson is looking to regain half guard here but Charles keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnson is being controlled here.

Charles is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Charles wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson being controlled for a moment.
Charles has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charles controlling his opponent.
Johnson working to try and regain half guard.
Charles content just to control the position here.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Charles isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Charles controlling the position easily from mount.
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charles takes Johnson's back, avoiding a couple of desperation strikes from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Charles trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Johnson doesn't escape.
Charles is hanging on to Johnson's back as he tries to escape.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Good control from Charles.
Johnson tries to escape the position.
Charles is trying to stick to Johnson's back but Johnson is turning into Charles. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Charles's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Charles is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Charles has escaped and now he's on top!

Charles passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Charles slows the pace down in half guard.
Charles passes to full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Charles takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rubens Charles dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Charles keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Charles looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rubens Charles has got the better of the ground game so far.

Charles is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Charles has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Johnson looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson turns into Charles and is now in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Charles is concentrating on defense, preventing Johnson from advancing position.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Charles defending well.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.

Charles is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Charles has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Charles is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Charles is retaining full guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Charles has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Charles working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is in no mood to give up.
Charles manages to capitalize on a mistake by Johnson to take his back!
Johnson is in bad spot here.

Johnson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Johnson tries to roll but Charles sticks to his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Charles controlling from the back.
Johnson is in bad spot here.
Charles controlling the position well here. Johnson rolled but Charles kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Charles controlling the position well here. Johnson rolled but Charles kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Johnson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Charles perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Charles passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Johnson!
Johnson gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Charles seems to be working for a kimura but Johnson defends the submission attempt.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Charles's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Charles's back!

Johnson has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Charles has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Johnson working for a choke but Charles is defending well.

Charles is in a bad position with Johnson working for a choke. Charles manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Charles's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Johnson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Charles has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rubens Charles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Charles feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Charles changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Charles pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Charles forces his way into half guard.
Charles takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Charles pulls his head out easily.
Johnson is looking to get back to full guard here but Charles has managed to pass to side control instead.
Johnson tries to strike but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to work for a sweep but Charles has mounted him!
Charles moves to the back position.
Johnson is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Charles is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Charles looking to break Johnson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Johnson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Charles will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Johnson is trying to roll into a better position but Charles has get a rear naked choke and Johnson is forced to tap out! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rubens Charles!
Rubens Charles seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.