PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matias Rob (ranked 5216 p4p, 5258 weight class) and Mikeal Johansson (ranked 597 p4p, 601 weight class). Mikeal Johansson struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 187.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rob
vs
Johansson

181 cm
18
184
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
204
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matias Rob!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikeal Johansson!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johansson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Johansson shoots in and gets a takedown into Rob's guard.
Rob bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johansson's guard.

Johansson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rob defends it easily.
Rob trying to control the position from guard on top but Johansson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rob is pushing down on Johansson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Johansson is fighting to maintain full guard but Rob has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johansson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johansson is still trying to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson controlling the position well.
Johansson is trying to get back to full guard.

Rob is looking for a kimura but Johansson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rob to get the leverage.
Rob is thwarting Johansson's attempts to control the position.
Rob seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johansson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two 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.
Johansson wants to get back to full guard.

Johansson actively working from the bottom here.
Rob is trying to control the action in half guard but Johansson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johansson wants to get back to full guard but Rob has mounted him!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johansson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rob can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johansson is looking to escape.
Rob manages to capitalize on a mistake by Johansson to take his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson is trying to break free.
Will Rob go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Johansson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Johansson controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Rob controlling well, preventing Johansson from escaping the position.

Johansson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Rob patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Johansson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Rob looking for the choke but no joy.
I really don't envy Johansson right now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johansson just trying to survive but Rob is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Johansson holding on to Rob's left wrist, preventing the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rob shoots for a double leg takedown but Johansson sprawls well. He's pushed Rob's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rob looks for a takedown but Johansson sprawls well.

Johansson gets a double leg takedown into Rob's guard.
Rob lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rob preventing the sweep.

Johansson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rob is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Johansson.
Johansson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rob wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johansson holding on.
Rob wants to stand but Johansson is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rob presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Rob trying to control but Johansson is having none of it.
Johansson tries to control Rob's body but Rob pushes him off. Johansson squirms to his side and now Rob has his back!
Johansson is really stuck here.
Rob lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rob softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Johansson is keeping busy.
Johansson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rob. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rob misses with a punch to the head.
Johansson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Rob misses with punches from the back.
Rob throwing sloppy strikes.
Johansson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Johansson prevents Rob from getting a body triangle.
Matias Rob overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rob missing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rob has the hooks in. Johansson is starting to panic. He's trying to push off one of the legs but he's left his neck open to attack. Rob passes his arm under Johansson's neck and tightens up a rear naked choke! This one is surely all over! Yes, Johansson taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matias Rob!
Matias Rob decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.