PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ron Johnson (ranked 3372 p4p, 3411 weight class) and Sahara Sam (ranked 311 p4p, 313 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Johnson
vs
Sam

180 cm
25
155
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
155
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ron Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sahara Sam!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sam goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sam moves out of range of the strikes.
A low kick lands for Johnson.
Sam staying out of range there.
Sam will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sam throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Sam connects with a single shot there.
Sam throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sam misses with a double jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson digs a good hook to Sam's body.
Sam will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
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!
Johnson wants to clinch up but Sam keeps it at a distance.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Sam saw that one coming.
A combination from Sam does no damage.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson prevents Sam from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson lands a hook that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.
Sam has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Sam avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson digs a right hand into Sam's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sam's gas tank.
Johnson tries to work over Sam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sam tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Johnson.
Sam avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sam's elbow.
Sam has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sam wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Sam looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sam tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.
Sam is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Sam is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sam can't break the clinch.
Sam avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sam tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Sam tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sam's elbow.
Sam is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Sam is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sam has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Sam tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.

Sam breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Sam misses with a body shot
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson throws a body punch but Sam moves out of range.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sam with the counter takedown but Johnson avoids it easily.
Sam misses with a few strikes there.
Sam throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sam misses with a few strikes there.
Sam throws a leg kick but Johnson checks it.
Sam swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Sam misses the shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Johnson.
Sam throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sam drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Johnson defends it well.
Sam throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sam swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Sam does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sam.
Johnson checks the leg kick.
Sam uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sam.
Sam throws a front kick aimed at Johnson's knee but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson takes a swing at Sam's ribcage but misses.
Sam avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sam backs up against the cage.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Sam moved out of range nicely.
Sam feints the counter takedown.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sam moves away.
Ron Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sam misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Sam throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sam attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Sam moved away.
Sam tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sam needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
Sam throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Johnson dominated that 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.

Sam throws a chopping leg kick but Johnson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson cracks Sam with a right hand to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Sam does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sam drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Johnson defends it well.
Johnson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnson thumps Sam with a low kick.

Johnson pushes Sam up against the cage in a clinch.
Sam looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Sam wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson is leaning against Sam and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Johnson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sam can't break the clinch.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson is working Sam over against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Sam controls the action.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Sam is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Sam wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson is leaning against Sam and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sam can do to turn this around?
Sam is breathing heavily.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Sam controls the action.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.
Johnson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnson lands an elbow just above Sam 's eye.
Ron Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Sam controls his hands.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Sam in his tracks for a moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sam looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson prevents Sam from breaking the clinch.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Sam's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sam is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sam's elbow.
Johnson prevents Sam from breaking the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Johnson.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Sam manages to break the clinch.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Sam moved away.
Sam takes one on the button.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnson connects with a single shot there.
Sam misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sam dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Sam misses with a jab, cross combination.
A jab from Johnson misses.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Sam working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sam is trying to break free.
Johnson pushes Sam back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Sam avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson digs a right hand underneath Sam's ribcage. Sam let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Johnson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.
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!
Johnson has Sam pressed against the cage, preventing Sam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
Good body shot from Johnson.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Johnson.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Sam in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sam's defenses.
Sam blocks a body shot from Johnson.
A frustrated look appears on Sam's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Johnson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Johnson 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.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Sam controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ron 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!

Johnson slips a jab from Sam.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sam takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sam throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sam misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Sam uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Sam takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sam waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Sam has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Johnson.
Sam misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sam.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Sam uses good head movement to avoid it.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson lands a hook that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Sam is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sam.
Sam is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Sam's head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson misses with a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Sam avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Sam's head.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Sam avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sam's elbow.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nice elbow from Johnson.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Sam is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sam is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sam blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Sam working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Sam avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Ron Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Sam is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sams head.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson gets through Sam's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
A short right from Johnson.
Sam wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
Sam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Sam avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Johnson tries to work over Sam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sam avoids the elbow strike from Johnson, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
Sam wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson tries to work over Sam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sam prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Johnson digs a right hand into Sam's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sam's gas tank.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson has Sam pressed against the cage, preventing Sam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Sam blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Sahara Sam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sam tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Sam back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ron 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:25
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:25
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Johnson!
Ron Johnson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.