PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Samson Wills (ranked 727 p4p, 93 weight class) and Dwayne Johnson (ranked 901 p4p, 110 weight class). Johnson has chosen My Time Is Now as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Wills
vs
Johnson

164 cm
26
162 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

164 cm
26
163 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Samson Wills!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dwayne Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wills jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And Johnson tries to counter it with a takedown but Wills pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Wills closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wills lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wills has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Johnson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Temp Spar Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Wills trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Wills controlling him for the moment.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wills's guard.

Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wills's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wills is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wills is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wills is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is working Wills over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wills is controlling Johnson's posture.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wills works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wills wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Wills controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnson postures up in Wills's guard and throws a big left but Wills blocks it.
Wills keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Wills preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Wills has wrist control.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Wills is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wills is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Johnson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wills controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wills swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Wills uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Wills!

Wills stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Wills is working Johnson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Wills slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Wills stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wills trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wills trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson is looking to sweep but instead, Wills has passed into half guard.
Johnson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Wills slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Wills lands a nice short elbow.
Wills not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wills working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Wills missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wills scores with a couple of nice shots.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Wills prevents Johnson from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Samson Wills will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Wills, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Wills against the cage but Wills circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wills pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice sprawl there from Wills as Johnson shoots in.
Wills appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Wills tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson has Wills pushed against the cage.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wills wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wills wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson has Wills pressed against the cage, preventing Wills from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wills trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Wills is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
Johnson is working for takedown but Wills is calmly controlling the position for now.
Samson Wills has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dwayne Johnson.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.

Wills escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wills throws out the jab.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wills.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wills wants to control but Johnson postures up.
Wills is looking for a sweep.
Wills takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Wills manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson is trying is best to control the position here.
Wills not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson wants to control but Wills is keeping busy.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson tries to roll over but Wills keeps him under control.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wills is working away from the top position though.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Wills is controlling well.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson is looking to control Wills's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wills thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson is positioning himself well to prevent Wills advancing to mount.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wills wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Wills stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wills throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wills lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wills is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Wills working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Wills controlling him for the moment.
Wills postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wills trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson pulls Wills in close to prevent any damage.
Wills lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson looking to control.
Wills throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Samson Wills will probably get the nod.
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!

Wills shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Wills finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Johnson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wills gets full guard.
Wills avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throws a strike but Wills rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wills is one step ahead there.
Wills working some strikes from top position.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wills with a nice head shot there.
Wills throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson managing to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.

Johnson is in close to Wills's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wills is keeping the position for now.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson works over Wills with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson trying to control but Wills is working from the bottom.
Wills manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wills trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Wills postures up.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wills postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson is trying to keep Wills in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wills working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson is trying to keep Wills in close.
Wills stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson keeps trying to improve his position.
Dwayne Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wills throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wills trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wills is in close to Johnson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Samson Wills is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Wills working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wills with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wills accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wills throws a big elbow that misses.
Wills is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wills landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wills throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson looking to control.
Wills postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samson Wills showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wills, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samson Wills!
In his post fight interview, Samson Wills started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Dwayne Johnson spoke after the fight, saying 'My time is not yet now.'.