PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johny Bader (ranked 4740 p4p, 4785 weight class) and Jabari Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 401 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.

Bader
vs
Johnson

170 cm
18
150
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johny Bader!
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, Jabari Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Reed Andrews and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bader fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.

Bader kicks off Johnson and gets to his feet.
Bader showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Bader seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Johnson moves into the clinch successfully.

Bader manages to break the clinch.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bader, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson has clasped his hands together around Bader's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bader dodges the ground and pound from Johnson.
Bader is looking to reverse the position.

Bader explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bader. Bader circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bader avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Bader shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Bader sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bader goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johny Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bader throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Johnson's waist but Johnson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bader off to one side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Johnson.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bader counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jabari Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Johnson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bader shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Bader fails with the takedown.
Bader is breathing heavily.
Johnson takes a swing at Bader's ribcage but misses.

Johnson rushes Bader and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bader.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bader takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bader dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Bader fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bader tries to clinch up.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Bader shoots in.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bader stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson lands with a nice body kick.
Bader takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bader, pushing him back against the cage.
Bader tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Johnson jumps guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bader is controlling him.
Bader won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

Johnson pushes Bader off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Bader avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson scores with a push kick.

Johnson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bader's half guard.
Bader might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Johnson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Bader to get to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson swinging wildly here.
Johnson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Bader has managed to clinch.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Bader.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johny Bader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Bader on that attempt.
Bader chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bader is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnson.
Johnson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bader will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johny Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a jab to Bader's midsection.
Bader dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Bader's head and hops out.
Bader goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
Bader is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson scores with a one two! Bader had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bader gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Bader, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bader rather than just go for the knockout.
Johnson throws a series of strikes that have Bader backpedaling.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Bader takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bader takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bader takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Bader won't allow it.
Bader is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson controlling the action here.

Johnson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Johnson escapes and gets back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Johnson.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jabari Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bader crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Johnson - the referee stops the clock and Bader gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Johnson. Bader manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Johnson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bader moves away.
Johnson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Bader tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bader somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bader missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck for Bader with that takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bader enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bader manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bader trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jabari Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Bader's head back.

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Bader.
Bader tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bader has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Bader breaks from the clinch.

Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Johnson gets underhooks to prevent Bader's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johny Bader. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson has picked Bader up - he's going for a ride! Johnson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Bader kicks off Johnson and gets to his feet.
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 scores with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Bader down.
Bader has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bader shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bader shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bader gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.

Bader gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Johnson gets to his feet. Bader looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bader gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson trying to control but Bader is working from the bottom.
Bader keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

Johnson gets to his feet - Bader follows without any prompting.
A head kick by Johnson misses
and Bader counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.

Johnson pushes Bader up against the cage in a clinch.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bader regains guard.

Bader kicks Johnson off and gets to his feet.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bader wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bader tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Bader's guard.

Bader uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bader shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a series of strikes that have Bader backpedaling.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Bader shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson throws a nice head kick!
Bader just misses with a punch to the body.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bader to the mat! Bader manages to get full guard.

Bader wriggles free and stands up.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bader, pushing him back against the cage.
Johny Bader has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jabari Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bader looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Jabari Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

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