PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ace Johnson (ranked 4492 p4p, 4518 weight class) and Jacoby Stathom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Johnson
vs
Stathom

162 cm
25
138
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
135
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ace Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jacoby Stathom!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson works over Stathom's head and body with a nice combination.
Ace Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stathom slips a straight right by Johnson.
Stathom takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Stathom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stathom circles away quickly and effectively.
Good shot there by Johnson.
Stathom defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Stathom tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Stathom avoids it well.
Stathom changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stathom.
Stathom fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stathom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson misses with a hook. Stathom ducked under it nicely.
Johnson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stathom slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stathom gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stathom takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Stathom's head.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Stathom doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Johnson jabs Stathom right on the nose. Stathom blinks but takes it well.
Stathom slips under a jab from Johnson.
Stathom works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Stathom bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stathom looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Ace Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacoby Stathom.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Stathom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stathom on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson is looking to counter punch.
Stathom shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Stathom keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson lands an overhand right.
Stathom tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stathom bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Ace Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stathom slips under a jab.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Stathom's head but Stathom sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stathom shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stathom tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stathom somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stathom ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Stathom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stathom fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Stathom shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Johnson lands with a nice combination. Stathom backs away looking to recover.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Stathom moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Stathom fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Stathom is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stathom looks winded!
Johnson lands with an overhand left.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by Stathom.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stathom sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Stathom sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson cracks Stathom with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stathom steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Stathom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Johnson throws a hook but Stathom avoids it easily.
Stathom looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stathom defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
As Johnson backs off Stathom throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Johnson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Horrible takedown attempt by Stathom or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson, which made it look bad.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ace Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Stathom's shoulder, as Stathom tries to avoid the shot.
Stathom slips a jab from Johnson.
Stathom tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Ace Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacoby Stathom.
Stathom misses with a body shot.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stathom moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Nice defenses there by Stathom.
A left lands for Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stathom defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stathom.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Stathom might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Johnson has got the better of the exchanges.
Johnson connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stathom moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Stathom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Stathom fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Stathom closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Stathom pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a hook. Stathom ducked under it nicely.
Stathom tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stathom is breathing heavily.
Stathom changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Stathom manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Stathom slips the punch.
Stathom is trying desperately to land a takedown but Johnson is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Stathom.
Johnson scores with a decent looking hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stathom is defended easily by Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a two punch combo.
Johnson throws a hook but Stathom avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a jab when Stathom was well out of range.
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!
Stathom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Stathom moves forwards but Johnson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Stathom slips the punch.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson throws a one two combo.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Stathom ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stathom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab lands there for Johnson.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Stathom knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stathom moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Stathom has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johnson lands with a right hand.
Johnson catches Stathom with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stathom tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stathom fails with the takedown.
Ace Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stathom. Stathom circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnson throws the left hand but Stathom avoids the punch easily.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stathom can do to turn this around?
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stathom tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Stathom's defenses.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stathom fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson scores with a jab to the head.
Stathom shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stathom takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stathom swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stathom.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Johnson dominated that second round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from Johnson.
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
and Stathom makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson misses with a left hand

and Stathom holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stathom is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
letting Stathom counter with a right hand.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Stathom raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Stathom slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws an off balance right hand
and Stathom counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stathom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stathom staying out of range there.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stathom.
And Stathom tries to counter it with a takedown but Johnson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Stathom moved out of range nicely.
Johnson throws a one two combo.
Johnson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stathom.
Johnson throws a hook but Stathom avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Stathom's head back.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Ace Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacoby Stathom.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stathom.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Johnson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Stathoms jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stathom tries to clinch up.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stathom circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stathom tries to work over Johnson's front leg with a kick but Johnson checks it.
Johnson misses with a hook
enabling Stathom to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Stathom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stathom slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Stathom is out of range.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stathom sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson leaves Stathom with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stathom.
It looked like Johnson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stathom blocks a jab.
Nice jab there from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johnson lands with a nice combination. Stathom backs away looking to recover.
Stathom misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stathom circles away quickly and effectively.
Stathom 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 Stathom off to one side.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Stathom misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stathom.
Stathom shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stathom ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson lands a lovely overhand right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a one two combo.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson tests Stathom's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Stathom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
And Stathom tries to counter it with a takedown but Johnson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Stathom throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Stathom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Stathom on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Jacoby Stathom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ace Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:25
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:25

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