PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Karl Hermann (ranked 1451 p4p, 80 weight class) and Brian Johnson (ranked 21512 p4p, 278 weight class). Brian Johnson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hermann
vs
Johnson

173 cm
23
145 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

155 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Hermann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brian Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hermann lands with a good body shot.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Hermann moves out of range easily.
Hermann blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Hermann moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Hermann checks a low kick from Johnson.
Hermann throws out a loose jab but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some bone on bone action there as Hermann checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Jab from Hermann.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Hermann.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson scores with a hook.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Hermann.
Johnson misses with a hook. Hermann ducked under it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hermann.
Hermann looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hermann is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermann moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Johnson throws a strike but Hermann rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hermann looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hermann will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hermann pushing down on Johnson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hermann trying to pass the guard but Johnson defending well.
Hermann not doing much here.
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Hermann sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann is pressing down on Johnson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnson is holding on for now.
Hermann controlling the action here.
Hermann tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.

Hermann is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Hermann eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson is not content to let Hermann control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Johnson wants to control but Hermann is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Hermann moves out of range easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Hermann tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Hermann swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hermann swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
It seemed like Johnson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A jab from Johnson does it's job there.
Karl Hermann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hermann lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Hermann cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Hermann closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hermann lands a right hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Hermann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermann lands a body punch.
Hermann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermann tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Hermann is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Hermann struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Hermann keeps him there for the moment.
Hermann tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermann tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Johnson wants to break free but Hermann has control.
Hermann struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Hermann scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hermann lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermann slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermann prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Johnson can't break the clinch.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hermann breaks from the clinch.
Hermann checks a low kick from Johnson.
A big left from Hermann misses.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hermann is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Hermann clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hermann tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Hermann takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Karl Hermann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hermann slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hermann is looking to clinch.
Hermann connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hermann is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson tries to score with a low kick but Hermann moves his leg out of the way.
Hermann has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Johnson.
A jab from Hermann misses.
Johnson tries to counter with a clinch but Hermann shakes him off and moves away.

Hermann has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Hermann has the dominant position.
A hook to the body from Hermann.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hermann tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hermann misses with a punch to the body.
Hermann effectively controlling the action here.
Hermann lands a body shot.
A short right from Hermann.
Hermann misses with a body punch.
Hermann cracks Johnson with a nice body shot.
Hermann tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hermann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hermann misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hermann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann lands an uppercut.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Hermann has double underhooks.
Hermann slowing the pace effectively.

Hermann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Johnson wants to land a leg kick but Hermann is out of range.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hermann has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Hermann misses with a hook
and Johnson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hermann is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Johnson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jab, jab by Hermann - just one landing.
A slow jab from Hermann misses its intended target.
Hermann loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Hermann throws a shot to the body.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermann slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Hermann's head but Hermann sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Brian Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Hermann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hermann lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermann wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hermann throws out the jab.
Hermann takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hermann moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hermann throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hermann scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hermann 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.
Hermann uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hermann connects with a crisp jab.
Hermann on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Hermann misses the target.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hermann connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson staying out of range there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermann looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Some bone on bone action there as Hermann checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hermann checks the leg kick nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hermann throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Hermann gets a clinch.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Hermann is controlling the position.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hermann circles away.
Hermann scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Johnson scores with a head kick. Hermann tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hermann checks the leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Hermann misses its target.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hermann checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hermann throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hermann tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hermann thuds his right hand into Johnson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Hermann moves out of range.
Hermann throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Hermann checks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Hermann does it's job there.
Hermann throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hermann throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hermann fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Hermann looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Hermann avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Hermann throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body
and Hermann makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hermann scores with a nice right hand.
Hermann cracks Johnson with a good jab.
Hermann scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Hermann moves into the clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Hermann lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Hermann checks a low kick from Johnson.
Johnson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hermann.
Hermann is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Johnson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Johnson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hermann.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hermann throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johnson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hermann has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hermann and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Hermann checks a leg kick.
Karl Hermann is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermann lands with a right hand.
Hermann connects with a single shot there.
Hermann looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hermann's sensitive parts.
Johnson tries to work over Hermann's front leg with a kick but Hermann checks it.
Karl Hermann is winning the standup battle so far.
Hermann lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.

Hermann has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Hermann presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Hermann.
Johnson is trying to break free.

Johnson breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Hermann.
A big left from Hermann misses.
Hermann keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
Hermann ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hermann keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Hermann connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hermann throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Hermann misses with a straight right.
Hermann with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hermann throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Hermann.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice shot lands for Johnson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hermann, as that shot connected.
Hermann blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Johnson, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermann throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Hermann swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hermann takes a step back to recover.
Johnson throws a head kick that half lands.
Hermann checks a leg kick nicely.
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Hermann sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Hermann wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice shot lands for Hermann.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Hermann misses the target.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hermann throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hermann darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hermann moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Hermann is looking to counter punch.
Hermann misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Hermann works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Brian Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson walks into a left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Hermann showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hermann has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Hermann!