PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Hill (ranked 3844 p4p, 425 weight class) and Jeff Johnson (ranked 2727 p4p, 315 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hill
vs
Johnson

185 cm
19
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Scott Hill!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeff Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Hill down.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hill.
No luck for Hill with that takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hill tries to counter with a takedown but Johnson is quick to defend against it.
Johnson moves out of range as Hill strikes.
Hill looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Hill avoids it with no problem.
Hill misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson throws a counter combo.
Scott Hill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hill misses the shot to the body.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hill.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Hill's head.
Hill looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Hill misses its intended target.
Hill misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Hill avoids them all with ease.
Johnson throws a head kick but Hill moves out of range.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Hill saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hill scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hill moves into full mount! Johnson won't be happy about that!
Hill wants to take his opponent's back but Johnson doesn't allow it.
Johnson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Hill in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Johnson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound.

Hill looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hill is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hill sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Hill fails to take his opponent's back.
Hill looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Hill is trying to take his opponent's back.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hill trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Johnson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Hill wants to take Johnson's back but he can't do it this time.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Johnson stops Hill from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Hill lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Johnson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hill tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Johnson has given up his back here. Will Hill look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here.

Hill is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Johnson is defending well though. Hill let's go of the attempt for now.

Johnson is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hill gets his way!
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Hill is in full control for now.
Hill trying to control.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Hill has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Hill looking for the choke but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Hill is in full control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hill throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Johnson!

Hill has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Hill is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Johnson is defending well though. Hill let's go of the attempt for now.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Johnson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hill dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson lands with an overhand left.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A low kick from Johnson misses

and Hill counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnson is not content to let Hill control the position.
Johnson prevents Hill from moving into mount.
Check out the look on Hill's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Hill is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Johnson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson prevents Hill from improving position.

Hill tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hill has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hill prevents Johnson from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hill is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Johnson is trying to buck Hill off.
Johnson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hill connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson tries to escape but Hill is in control.
Scott Hill overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hill advances to mount.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Hill is working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson frees his head quite easily.
Johnson wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hill working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is in no mood to give up.
Hill scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Johnson?
Hill controlling the pace for now.
Johnson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Johnson prevents Hill from taking his back.
Hill lands a heavy elbow.
Hill trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Hill misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
We've been hearing that Hill has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Johnson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Johnson has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Hill has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Johnson is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Hill off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Johnson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hill.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hill's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Johnson is trying to stand back up.

Hill working for a choke but Johnson is defending well.

Hill working for the choke.

Hill looking for the RNC.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hill's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Hill is in full control for now.

Hill is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hill 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, Johnson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Hill misses with a punch to the head.

Johnson is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hill gets his way!

Hill is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Johnson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hill.

Hill looking for the choke but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hill dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Johnson cracks Hill with a right hand to the side of the head.
Jeff Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hill will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hill uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hill avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hill.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hill throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hill swinging wildly here.
Hill uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Hill fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hill throws an off balance right hand
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Hill does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hill appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hill is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Hill shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Hill's shoulder, as Hill tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson misses with a hook. Hill ducked under it nicely.
Hill misses with a body shot.
Hill misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.

Hill shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Johnson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hill wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Hill has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hill is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hill. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hill slips nicely into half guard.
Hill looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Hill seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson is looking to escape.

Hill is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hill blocks the body kick.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Hill's shoulder, as Hill tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hill tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Hill does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hill tries to counter with a takedown but Johnson is quick to defend against it.
Johnson scores with a decent looking hook.
Hill takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hill closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Hill pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Johnson! But no joy.
Hill avoids a kick to the body.
Hill looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Hill avoids it with no problem.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck for Hill with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson fakes the leg kick and cracks Hill in the body.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hill throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson shapes to counter with a head kick.
Hill tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Johnson! But no joy.
Hill fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Hill fails with the takedown.
Johnson is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson connects with a leg kick. Hill looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hill ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson lands a body shot.

Hill drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Hill from controlling successfully.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Hill tries to pass.
Hill won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hill trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Hill wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Hill won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Hill tries to pass.
Hill stops Johnson from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Hill's head but Hill sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hill half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hill misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Hill. Hill gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson tries a quick counter leg kick but Hill is wise to it.
Hill misses with a wild combination.
Johnson tries a quick counter leg kick but Hill is wise to it.
Hill shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Hill bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hill.
Johnson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hill if he has to take too many more of those.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hill sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a nice body kick.
Hill takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hill misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hill changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hill shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hill thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hill shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Hill keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Scott Hill has been cut.
Hill shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Hill shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Hill misses with a looping right.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hill was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hill is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson sizes up Hill with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill lands with a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Johnson.
Hill misses with a body shot.
Hill shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson is looking for the big counter here.
Hill throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hill staying out of range there.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Hill throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Hill walks into a left hand.
Hill has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Johnson.
Hill has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Johnson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Scott Hill's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.
Hill shoots and misses
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Hill shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Hill tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Hill stops Johnson from standing up.
Hill keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Hill trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Hill is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hill throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hill stops Johnson from standing up.
Hill trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hill.
Johnson throws a lazy head kick

and Hill counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hill.
Hill won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Hill pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Hill passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

Hill is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnson scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Hill manages to mount him!
Hill throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Hill landing punches.
Hill seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Johnson is holding on tight.
Johnson is squirming around, avoiding Hill's attempts to control the action.
You get the feeling that Johnson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hill landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hill has control of Johnson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Johnson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Hill won't let Johnson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Hill controlling the position easily from mount.
Hill won't let Johnson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Hill takes Johnson's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Johnson is in trouble.
Hill lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Johnson.

Hill is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hill is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Johnson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Hill is persistently looking for the submission but Johnson is defending it well.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Hill is in full control for now.

Johnson is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hill gets his way!
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Hill has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Hill showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hill has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:47
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 48:47
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Hill!
Scott Hill is the new middleweight champion!
Our winner, Scott Hill, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.