PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Stalit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Stalit has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stalit
vs
Johnson

180 cm
22
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

170 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Stalit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stalit looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stalit avoids it really well and circles away.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Stalit counters with a head kick.
Johnson throws a lazy head kick

and Stalit counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stalit is working away from the top position though.
Johnson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stalit is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stalit has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Stalit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalit looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Stalit is very close to passing his half guard.

Stalit seems to be looking for submissions.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson is looking to control Stalit's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Stalit throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Stalit is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Stalit is controlling him well.
Johnson is controlling Stalit's trapped leg to prevent Stalit from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Stalit has control of the leg.

Stalit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stalit slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Johnson controls Stalit momentarily but Stalit frees himself.

Stalit thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stalit trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stalit. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stalit working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stalit postures up.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stalit.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Stalit postures up.
Stalit throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Stalit postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stalit throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stalit accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Stalit drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Stalit off! Stalit jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Stalit slips nicely into half guard.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Stalit is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Stalit dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Stalit.

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Stalit back into the cage.
Johnson fails to pull guard.
Johnson is trying to drag Stalit to the mat but Stalit just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johnson can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalit wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson tries to break free but Stalit pushes him back against the cage.
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 Stalit walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ryan Stalit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Johnson.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Stalit fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stalit has his takedown stuffed
and Stalit takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson throws a head kick that Stalit semi-blocks.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Stalit swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Stalit throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stalit with a poor takedown

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Stalit looking for submissions off his back.

Stalit is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stalit actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Stalit is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Stalit looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stalit is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.

Stalit looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Stalit looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stalit actively working from the bottom here.

Stalit actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson is keen to just control but Stalit is a slippery customer.

Johnson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Stalit is looking to improve his position.

That's four 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.

Stalit actively working from the bottom here.

Stalit looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Johnson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Stalit to stand up.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Stalit pushes him off.
Stalit throws a head kick that half lands.

Johnson clinches up with Stalit and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalit tries to pull guard but Johnson holds him up against the cage and eventually Stalit drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ryan Stalit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Stalit stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stalit wants it to stay on the feet.
Johnson throws a series of strikes that have Stalit backpedaling.
Stalit misses with a head kick.
Stalit misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Stalit blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson avoiding damage as Stalit throws knees to the body.
Stalit wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stalit tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
Stalit keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Johnson decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalit stops Johnson from standing up.

Stalit is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Johnson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Johnson has escaped and now he's on top!

Stalit had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Johnson defends it easily.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Johnson stands and steps away. Stalit gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalit throws a head kick that misses
and Johnson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stalit is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A lazy body kick from Johnson

and Stalit holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Stalit breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Stalit.
Stalit wants to clinch.
Stalit throws a head kick that misses

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Stalit's guard now.

Stalit is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson wants to stand but Stalit has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Stalit is working from the bottom.

Stalit is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stalit is proving hard to escape from.

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.

Johnson stands up from Stalit's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stalit lands with a kick to the temple. Johnson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stalit sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Stalit throws a sloppy head kick

and Johnson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Johnson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Johnson gets control of Stalit's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johnson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson is pulling down on Stalit's head. It's preventing any offense from Stalit, at least for the moment.
Stalit with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
James 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

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