PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carl Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyler The Punk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Ambitionz az a ridah- 2Pac. A fine choice. 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
The Punk

182 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Los Angeles, Carl Johnson!
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, Tyler The Punk!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left lands for Johnson.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but The Punk is working away.
Johnson controlling the action here.
Johnson is thwarting The Punk's attempts to control the position.
Johnson wants to take a breather but The Punk is having none of it.
The Punk is trying to get back to full guard.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The Punk is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Punk is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
The Punk throws a solid leg kick but Johnson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at The Punk.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Johnson wants to control but The Punk is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is really struggling to control The Punk but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but The Punk is defending well.
The Punk tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, The Punk has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Johnson but great work by The Punk.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to bench press The Punk off him but The Punk keeps the position.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
The Punk works to advance to full mount. Johnson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The Punk punishing his opponent with strikes.
The Punk putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Johnson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The Punk trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working to get back to half guard.
The Punk misses with a head shot.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but The Punk maintains control.
The Punk scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.

The Punk stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Johnson scores with a takedown into The Punk's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but The Punk keeps moving.

The Punk is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson preventing the sweep.

The Punk is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.

The Punk looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson passes The Punk's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Johnson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The Punk is wriggling around trying to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to control but The Punk wriggling away.
Johnson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The Punk tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The Punk really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson raining down shots from the mount!

The Punk defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.

Johnson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, The Punk has worked his arm free - good work by The Punk!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but The Punk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson laying and praying for a moment but The Punk takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thows a huge punch but The Punk dodges it nicely.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. The Punk knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The Punk trying to control but Johnson postures up.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Punk keeps working.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but The Punk is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The Punk wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Carl Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. The Punk sprawls well.
The Punk tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
The Punk doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in The Punk's guard now.
The Punk wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The Punk tries to clinch up

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. The Punk won't be happy with that.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, The Punk has escaped the position, nice work there.
The Punk is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
The Punk is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson taking a breather here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Punk wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Johnson wants to control but The Punk is keeping him busy.

Johnson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, The Punk rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Johnson's guard! Nice work there by The Punk!
The Punk wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

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.
The Punk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
The Punk is looking to advance position but Johnson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks The Punk but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The Punk really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson goes for an armbar but he's not got it… The Punk turns into him and now he's in Johnson's guard.
The Punk working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.
The Punk tries to strike from the bottom.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Punk keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Carl Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The Punk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson trying to control but The Punk is working from the bottom.
The Punk will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Tyler The Punk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Carl Johnson.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

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