PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karl Denke (ranked 4800 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Johnson (ranked 24853 p4p, 0 weight class). Karl Denke has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Denke
vs
Johnson

186 cm
18
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
194 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Denke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denke misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Denke fights it but they end up in guard.

Denke is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnson 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.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
More stalling from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Johnson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Denke throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.

It looks like James Johnson has been cut.
Karl Denke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Denke throws a right hand that misses

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johnson.

Johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Denke uses from the top position.
Denke looking to pass the guard.
Johnson seems keen to control Denke's posture.
Let's hope that Johnson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke trying to move into half guard but instead Johnson has managed to sweep!

Johnson content to stall in guard here.

Denke is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Denke is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Denke looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnson controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Denke wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Denke ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Denke throws a right hand that misses

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Denke's efforts to push away.
Denke is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.

Johnson gets control of Denke's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johnson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson is adopting a defensive guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Denke from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Johnson's cut.
That's time! Denke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Denke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Karl Denke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Denke swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson tries to counter with a clinch but Denke shakes him off and moves away.
Denke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Denke connects with a body shot that sends Johnson's belly button to the back.
Denke missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denke throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Denke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson wants to counter the offense by Denke and move into the clinch position.
Denke misses with a jab to the body

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Denke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Denke looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Denke working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Denke trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Johnson.
Johnson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denke wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Johnson is now in half guard.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.
Yet more stalling tactics from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Denke is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Denke defends the submission attempt.
Denke wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Johnson seems content to control.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Denke doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Denke wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Denke has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnson slips under a jab from Denke.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A swing and a miss from Denke.
Denke sets himself, and Johnson steps forward looking for the clinch! Denke avoids it this time.

Denke gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Johnson'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!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Denke shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Denke misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Denke taking a breather.
Denke looking to stall.
Maybe Denke would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Denke explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Denke throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Denke lands a lovely overhand right.
James Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Denke comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Denke throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Denke.
Denke misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Denke looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Denke wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke manages to get to full guard.
Johnson controlling from the top position.

Johnson stands up from Denke's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Denke tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Denke.
Denke falls off balance throwing a combination

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Denke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Denke enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Denke manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Denke is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Denke is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Denke misses with a hook

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Denke won't allow it.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Denke holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Denke.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Karl Denke.
I think Johnson 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Johnson!