PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rahul Bhattacharya (ranked 3379 p4p, 4380 weight class) and Pierce Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Bhattacharya
vs
Johnson

166 cm
25
150
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Brawler
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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rahul Bhattacharya!
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, Pierce Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bhattacharya gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bhattacharya slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Bhattacharya has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bhattacharya misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bhattacharya tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bhattacharya misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Bhattacharya.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Bhattacharya forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Bhattacharya is controlling the position.
Bhattacharya goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bhattacharya works on Johnson's body with a couple of short punches.
Bhattacharya working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bhattacharya misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Bhattacharya.
Johnson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rahul Bhattacharya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pierce Johnson.
Bhattacharya is working Johnson over against the cage.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bhattacharya defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bhattacharya controls the pace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bhattacharya defends well.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bhattacharya can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bhattacharya slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Bhattacharya is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Bhattacharya is controlling him.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bhattacharya.
Johnson taking a breather.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Bhattacharya.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bhattacharya walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Bhattacharya clinches with his opponent.
Bhattacharya lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bhattacharya is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bhattacharya down to the mat. Bhattacharya avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Bhattacharya drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Bhattacharya.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bhattacharya has him pressed against the cage.
Bhattacharya misses with a punch on the inside.
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bhattacharya lands a shot to the body.
Johnson looks winded!
Bhattacharya lands a shoulder strike.
Bhattacharya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bhattacharya creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bhattacharya lands with a short shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands a left hand.
Bhattacharya prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rahul Bhattacharya dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bhattacharya moves into the clinch successfully.

Johnson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Johnson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Bhattacharya from controlling successfully.
Johnson controlling Bhattacharya's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bhattacharya slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Bhattacharya has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Bhattacharya lands with a right to the head.
Bhattacharya presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Johnson decides to pull guard.
Bhattacharya trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bhattacharya looking to pass the guard.
Bhattacharya has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Johnson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Bhattacharya sets himself, and Johnson steps forward looking for the clinch! Bhattacharya avoids it this time.
Bhattacharya wants to clinch
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnson is looking to clinch but Bhattacharya is avoiding it.

Bhattacharya closes the distance and clinches.
Bhattacharya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bhattacharya misses with a body punch.
Bhattacharya gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.
Bhattacharya presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Bhattacharya is controlling him.
Bhattacharya lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya lands a left hand.
Bhattacharya doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Bhattacharya forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rahul Bhattacharya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pierce Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson fails to pull guard.
A nice left hand lands by Bhattacharya.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short uppercut from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bhattacharya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bhattacharya lands with a short shot to the head.
Bhattacharya misses with a punch to the body.
Bhattacharya is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Bhattacharya lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right hand to the body from Bhattacharya.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rahul Bhattacharya dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bhattacharya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Bhattacharya circles away and keeps his distance.
Bhattacharya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bhattacharya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bhattacharya darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bhattacharya gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bhattacharya lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Bhattacharya.
A right hook to the body lands for Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bhattacharya lands a right hand.
Bhattacharya lands with a left to the head.
Bhattacharya lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Johnson.
Good body shot from Bhattacharya.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bhattacharya misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bhattacharya lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Bhattacharya.
A right handed body shot lands from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bhattacharya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bhattacharya works on Johnson's body with a couple of short punches.
Bhattacharya tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Bhattacharya back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Bhattacharya.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Bhattacharya.
A short right from Bhattacharya on the inside.
Bhattacharya works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A shot in the inside from Bhattacharya.
A short right from Bhattacharya.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bhattacharya lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Bhattacharya.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bhattacharya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bhattacharya lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bhattacharya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bhattacharya misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Bhattacharya scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bhattacharya creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bhattacharya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
A short right from Bhattacharya.
Rahul Bhattacharya has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bhattacharya throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bhattacharya lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bhattacharya lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.

Johnson is rocked!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bhattacharya.
Johnson is still on wobbly legs! Can Bhattacharya finish him?
Bhattacharya lands a right hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
A short right from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
A short left from Bhattacharya.
A hook to the body from Bhattacharya.
Nice body punch from Bhattacharya - that landed with a thud.
A short uppercut from Bhattacharya.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bhattacharya.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bhattacharya lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya lands a right hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Bhattacharya stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bhattacharya lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Bhattacharya on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bhattacharya scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bhattacharya tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Bhattacharya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right from Bhattacharya on the inside.
Bhattacharya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bhattacharya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bhattacharya works on Johnson's body with a couple of short punches.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bhattacharya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bhattacharya lands a right hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Pierce Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bhattacharya lands a shot to the body.
Bhattacharya scores with a nice hook to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rahul Bhattacharya showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bhattacharya, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rahul Bhattacharya!