PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dante Caldwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Notch Johnson (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.

Caldwell
vs
Johnson

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dante Caldwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Notch Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Caldwell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnson. Johnson obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson lands with a straight right. Caldwell didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Dante Caldwell has been cut.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Caldwell sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Caldwell keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Caldwell defends it.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Caldwell dodges it nicely.
Caldwell regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Johnson.
Johnson controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Caldwell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Caldwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Caldwell, not yet.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Caldwell's brow.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Caldwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Caldwell is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Caldwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Johnson stands up from Caldwell's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Caldwell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Johnson darts in and clinches Caldwell up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Caldwell in his tracks for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Johnson.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Caldwell is breathing heavily.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Caldwell.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Caldwell's head.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Caldwell is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Johnson seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Caldwell knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Still in half guard, Johnson seems content to control.
Caldwell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Caldwell is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Caldwell defends it.
Johnson trying to control the pace.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Caldwell is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Notch Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dante Caldwell's cut.
That's time! Caldwell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Caldwell on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Caldwell keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Caldwell controlling the position.
Caldwell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is pushing down on Caldwell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Caldwell is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Caldwell wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson is looking to stall here but Caldwell recovers full guard.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Caldwell keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

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.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson stands up over Caldwell, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Johnsonis looking to pass into half guard but Caldwell pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Caldwell is in guard.
Notch Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Caldwell wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Caldwell stops Johnson from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caldwell wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson managing to control the position.

That's four 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.
Caldwell trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Caldwell is really struggling to control Johnson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Notch Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dante Caldwell's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Caldwell looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Caldwell is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson wants to control but Caldwell is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Caldwell tries to improve position but can't.
Caldwell is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Caldwell takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caldwell takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Johnson cracks Caldwell with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Caldwell some visible discomfort.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Caldwell is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson lands a strong strike to the head of Caldwell. That's dazed him! Johnson looking to finish here. Caldwell is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Johnson lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Notch Johnson!