PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Smith acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Johnson
vs
Smith

182 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

180 cm
20
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Smith misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Johnson winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
Smith looks gassed!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson working Smith over with strikes.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.

Smith is rocked!
Smith has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Johnson prevents Smith from improving his position.
Johnson working Smith over with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson working Smith over with strikes.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.

Johnson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smith is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Johnson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Johnson scoring with punches and elbows.
Check out the look on Johnson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Smith on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Smith takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Johnson is chipping away with strikes.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson is putting a hurting on Smith here, landing some big shots from side control.
Smith taking punishment in the form of punches.
Smith takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Smith is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Johnson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Johnson lands a few punches from side control.
Johnson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Smith pushes Johnson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Johnson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Johnson working the head with strikes.
Smith takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Smith down.
Smith is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Johnson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Smith takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Johnson cracks Smith with an elbow. That is naaassty.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Johnson scoring with punches from side control.
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Smith takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith taking a bit of punishment here - Johnson scoring with strikes.
Smith on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Smith takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.

Smith pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Johnson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Johnson.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Smith did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Smith has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying to stand.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Smith throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
Johnson blocks the strikes from Smith.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control here.
Johnson prevents Smith from standing back up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Johnson winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith punching from the bottom.
Johnson prevents Smith from standing back up.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Johnson is nestled in close to Smith, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rick Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Johnson manages to pass to side control.
Smith tries to bench press Johnson off him but Johnson keeps the position.

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson lands an elbow.
Smith takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Johnson is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Johnson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Johnson passes into half guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Johnson is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Smith pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Johnson decides to stand up.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smith looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Smith wants to control but Johnson postures up.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
Smith is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Johnson asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Smith bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnson connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Smith 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.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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!
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working Smith over with strikes.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Smith kicks off Johnson and gets to his feet.
Smith tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.

Smith gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Smith's brow.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.

Smith kicks Johnson off and gets to his feet.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Smith sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joe Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson prevents Smith from standing back up.
Rick Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Suge Night scores the fight for Rick Johnson!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Rick Johnson!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Rick Johnson!

Rick Johnson wins by unanimous decision!