PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kareem Johnson (ranked 6554 p4p, 3469 weight class) and Panda Three (ranked 668 p4p, 431 weight class). Kareem Johnson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Johnson
vs
Three

186 cm
20
202
2 - 1 - 0

150 cm
19
197
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kareem Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Panda Three!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Three misses the shot to the body.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Three misses with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Three checks a leg kick nicely.
Three cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Three.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Three ducks down to avoid it.
Three keeps the fight on the outside.
Three misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Three swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Three moves into range and connects with a jab.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Three throws a sloppy body shot
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Three misses.
Three moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson swings for the body but Three moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Johnson.
We've been told by Johnson's head coaches at Blacktalians MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Three rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Three has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Johnson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Good body shot from Johnson.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Three on the inside.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Three.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Three has him pressed against the ropes.
Johnson presses Three against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
Three looks winded!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson presses Three against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Three blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Three fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson presses Three against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Three's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Three's head.
A hook to the body from Johnson.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Three circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Three connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Three down.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Three checks a leg kick.
Three throws a left and a right that both miss

and Johnson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Johnson looking to stall.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Johnson looking to stall.
Come on Johnson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Three lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A jab from Johnson misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Johnson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Three throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A low kick from Johnson is predictable there
and Three counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson closes the distance but Three moves to the side
and Three counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson taking a breather.
Johnson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson taking a breather.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson tries to work over Three's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Three's elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Johnson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Three's head.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Three.
Three misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Three throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Three has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
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 Three has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Three and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Three needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
Johnson throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Three cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Three slips a straight right by Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Three takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Johnson lands with a cross.
Three throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Three throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Three walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Three checks the leg kick.
Three misses with a hook.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Panda Three seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson swings for the body but Three moves out of range.

Johnson lands a big shot that drops Three! Can he finish him?

Three is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Three is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson wants to control from the top but Three keeps moving.
Three seems to have recovered his senses.
Three looking to control.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson trying to control but Three is working from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Three.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Three is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Three is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Three can do to turn this around?
Three keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Three looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Three working a defensive guard here.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Three is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Three is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Three manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Three's guard.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Three is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Three throws a lazy uppercut
and Johnson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Three throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Johnson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Johnson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Three throws a lazy uppercut
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
Three throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Three misses with an uppercut
and Three takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Three avoids nicely.
Three takes one to the chin there.
Three misses the body punch
and Johnson counters with a thumping low kick.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Three.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Three throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Three is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Three.
A solid leg kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Johnson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Three moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Three keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson throws a leg kick
and Three counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Three! But no joy.
Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Three rushes Johnson and presses him up against the ropes.
Kareem Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Three stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson trying to stall but Three improves his position.
Three swings wildly with an uppercut but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Three as Johnson tries to tie him up.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Three.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
Johnson gets through Three's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Johnson is working Three over against the ropes.
Johnson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Three or not.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Three in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Three prevents a body shot from Johnson.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Three working aggressively here.
Three blocking some punches.
Three prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Three uses good head movement to avoid it.
Three misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson tries to stall but Three uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Three tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Three backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Johnson.
A head punch on the inside from Three fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson presses Three against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Three takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Johnson pushes Three back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Three wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Three defends well.
Three looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Three keeps moving.
Three looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Three looking to control.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Three looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Three keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

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.
Three lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Three wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Three not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Three trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Three trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Panda Three has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Three can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kareem Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kareem Johnson!
During a confident post fight interview, Kareem Johnson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.