PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leroy Johnson (ranked 4539 p4p, 474 weight class) and Dracob Von Candlehaus (ranked 4541 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Von Candlehaus

175 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leroy Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dracob Von Candlehaus!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jonathan Paton and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Von Candlehaus misses its intended target.
Johnson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Von Candlehaus sprawls and moves away.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Von Candlehaus moves out of range.
Von Candlehaus let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Von Candlehaus circles away.
Von Candlehaus unleashes a big counter combination but Johnson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Von Candlehaus is looking for the big counter here.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Von Candlehaus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Von Candlehaus is looking for the big counter here.
Johnson takes a swing at Von Candlehaus's ribcage but misses.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Candlehaus takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Von Candlehaus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Von Candlehaus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Von Candlehaus flicks out a counter leg kick but Johnson steps away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Von Candlehaus sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Von Candlehaus avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Von Candlehaus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Von Candlehaus closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Von Candlehaus takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Von Candlehaus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Johnson lands with a nice combination. Von Candlehaus backs away looking to recover.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Von Candlehaus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Von Candlehaus is looking for the big counter here.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Despite the aggression on Von Candlehaus's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Von Candlehaus avoids it well.
Johnson tries to clinch but Von Candlehaus moves out of range.
Von Candlehaus is looking for the big counter here.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Von Candlehaus has managed to clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Von Candlehaus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson tries a body shot but Von Candlehaus blocks it.
Johnson is looking to control Von Candlehaus's arms but Von Candlehaus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Johnson has his back to the cage.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Von Candlehaus prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leroy Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Candlehaus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Von Candlehaus slows down the pace here.
Von Candlehaus just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Von Candlehaus scores a nice knee to the body.

Von Candlehaus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Von Candlehaus pushes him off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Candlehaus leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Von Candlehaus throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Von Candlehaus pushes him off.
Despite the aggression on Von Candlehaus's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Von Candlehaus.
Johnson takes a swing at Von Candlehaus's ribcage but misses.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Von Candlehaus circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses

and Von Candlehaus moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leroy Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Von Candlehaus can do to turn this around?
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Von Candlehaus moves away.
Von Candlehaus needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
Johnson tries to clinch but Von Candlehaus moves out of range.
Von Candlehaus throws a counter combo.
Von Candlehaus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
A shot to the body from Johnson misses
and Von Candlehaus counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Leroy Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Von Candlehaus is just out of range.
Von Candlehaus unleashes a big counter combination but Johnson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Candlehaus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dracob Von Candlehaus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Von Candlehaus shakes it off.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Candlehaus rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Von Candlehaus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Von Candlehaus blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Von Candlehaus lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnson won't want to take too many of those.
The referee calls for Von Candlehaus to work.
The referee calls for Von Candlehaus to work.
Von Candlehaus receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Candlehaus content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Von Candlehaus is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Von Candlehaus manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Von Candlehaus's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dracob Von Candlehaus.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Von Candlehaus takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
As Johnson backs off Von Candlehaus throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Von Candlehaus's defenses.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Von Candlehaus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
As Johnson backs off Von Candlehaus throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Von Candlehaus throws a lazy head kick
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Von Candlehaus will be more careful next time no doubt.

It looks like Dracob Von Candlehaus has been cut.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Von Candlehaus tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Von Candlehaus to the ground. Von Candlehaus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Von Candlehaus swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Von Candlehaus is looking for the big counter here.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Von Candlehaus moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Von Candlehaus tries to counter by closing the distance.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Von Candlehaus gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leroy Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Candlehaus rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Von Candlehaus looks to move away, Johnson throws a big counter combo but Von Candlehaus just gets out of the way.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Von Candlehaus. Von Candlehaus maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Von Candlehaus gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnson controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leroy Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dracob Von Candlehaus's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Good shot there by Johnson.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Von Candlehaus wants to counter the offense by Johnson and move into the clinch position.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Von Candlehaus on his heels. He'll look to pass Von Candlehaus's guard now, I'm sure.

Von Candlehaus is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Von Candlehaus decides to pull guard.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Von Candlehaus wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Von Candlehaus avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Von Candlehaus holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Von Candlehaus is on top in guard.

Von Candlehaus controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson controls Von Candlehaus momentarily but Von Candlehaus frees himself.
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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Von Candlehaus defends well.
Von Candlehaus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controls Von Candlehaus momentarily but Von Candlehaus frees himself.
Von Candlehaus passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Von Candlehaus tries to stand but can't do so whilst Johnson controls his leg.
Von Candlehaus is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Von Candlehaus perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Von Candlehaus controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Von Candlehaus fails with a takedown attempt.
Von Candlehaus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Von Candlehaus knows he should have avoided that one.
Leroy Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to bum rush Von Candlehaus with a series of wild strikes but Von Candlehaus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Von Candlehaus moves away.
Von Candlehaus now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Johnson connects with a body shot.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Von Candlehaus lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dracob Von Candlehaus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
Johnson lands a lovely overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Von Candlehaus. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.

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 Leroy Johnson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

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