PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Mann
vs
Johnson

184 cm
19
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Lion Killer Clothing Company

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Mann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mann wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Mann is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Mann keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson advances to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Mann tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Mann is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mann wants to control but Johnson postures up.
Mann dodges the ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Johnson trying to control the action but Mann is working from the bottom.
Johnson in side control, throwing shots but Mann defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson cracks Mann with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mann is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Mann works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mann lets loose with a powerful body kick. Johnson will feel that in the morning.
Mann misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mann throws a body kick that misses.
Nice shot lands for Mann.
Mann tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Mann slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Mann throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mann keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Mann is pulling down on Johnson's head to control his posture.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mann's guard.
Mann on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann moves into full guard.
Mann looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Mann gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Mann decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!
Mann throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mann is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Mann is trying to control but can't.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mann defending well though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Mann is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Mann dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Johnson feints and as Mann raises his hands in defense, Johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson prevents Mann from getting back to his feet.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mann wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Johnson trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson throws a head kick but Mann moves out of range.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mann works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mann tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Mann is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson postures up in Mann's guard and throws a big left but Mann blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mann tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Mann.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mann gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mann is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mann showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Mann gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mann's guard.
Mann keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Johnson stays in close to Mann's body and controls the position.
Mann working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Mann counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
Johnson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Mann misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mann's waist but Mann gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Mann wants to clinch but Johnson slips to the side

and Johnson counters with a single leg into guard. Mann didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mann not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.
Mann trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Mann darts in trying to clinch

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mann's guard.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson stops Mann from standing up.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Mann from controlling successfully.
Johnson wants to stand but Mann is controlling the position.
Mann trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mann wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Mann in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnny Mann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mann postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson checks a low kick from Mann.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson advances position into side control!
Mann lands a decent little punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 46:49

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