PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikel Charles (ranked 22631 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Johnson (ranked 4856 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikel Charles has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Charles
vs
Johnson

189 cm
19
214 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikel Charles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rocky Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Charles's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnson in particular looking to stall.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Charles is working away.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Charles is defending the position.
Johnson is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Charles reverses the position - he's now on top in Johnson's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Charles stops Johnson from standing up.
Charles won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Charles sitting in guard here, content to control.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Charles defends well.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Johnson has his foot on Charles's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Charles works his way back into a safe position though.
Charles throws an elbow that misses. Johnson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Charles's guard. Nice move by Johnson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Charles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Charles is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Charles holds on and takes a little breather.

Charles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.

Charles escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Charles working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Charles is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Charles is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Charles is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Charles has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Charles misses with some strikes from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Charles's half guard.

Charles kicks off Johnson and gets to his feet.

Johnson gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Charles gets back to half guard.

Charles is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.
Johnson slows the pace down in half guard.
Charles trying to control but Johnson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnson in particular looking to stall.
Johnson wants to advance to full mount but Charles doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Charles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnson trying to control the action but Charles is working from the bottom.
Rocky Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson working away.
Charles tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Charles will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Johnson forces Charles back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Charles has him pressed against the cage.

Charles manages to pull guard.
Charles looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.

Charles throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Charles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Charles throws his legs up looking for a submission but Johnson uses it to pass to side control.
Johnson controlling the position from side mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Charles struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rocky Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Johnson scores with a jab to the head.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Charles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Charles breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Charles keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Charles keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Charles is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Charles prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Charles is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two 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 trying to get back to full guard but Charles takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Charles thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Charles throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Charles avoids the attempt from Johnson to control.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Charles maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to hold on but Charles pushes him away.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Charles scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.
Charles scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Johnson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Charles.
Charles unloads with some shots from mount but Johnson bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Charles avoids the attempt from Johnson to control.
Charles with shots to the head and body - Johnson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Charles thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Charles scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikel Charles showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rocky Johnson!