PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Holden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dwight Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holden is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holden
vs
Johnson

176 cm
22
159 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

165 cm
21
161 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Holden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dwight Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holden is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holden is breathing heavily.
Holden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Holden tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Mark Holden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Holden clinches up against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Holden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Holden is controlling the position.
Holden throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Holden is controlling the position.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holden is keeping busy.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson throws a head kick that half lands.
Holden keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Holden sprawls well.
Mark Holden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dwight Johnson.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson scoring well with a low kick there.
Holden throws a head kick that misses
and Johnson counters with a good, hard body kick but Holden shrugs it off.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Holden. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holden but Holden pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mark Holden is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Holden gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Holden misses with some punches.
Holden tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson tries to score a body lock takedown but Holden shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holden pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Holden misses with a knee strike.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holden pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holden throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Holden keeps him there for the moment.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Holden from standing up.
Johnson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson looking to control.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Holden from standing up.
Johnson looking to control.

Johnson working for a triangle but Holden defends it easily.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Holden postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Holden manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Holden keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Holden won't let him.
Johnson trying to control but Holden is working from the bottom.
Johnson advances position into side control!
Johnson wants to stand but Holden is controlling his arm.
Johnson trying to control the position but Holden is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Holden clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dwight Johnson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holden throws a lazy head kick
and Johnson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holden looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Holden clinches with his opponent.

Johnson manages to pull guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson is trying to keep Holden in close.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Holden trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Holden postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Holden because Johnson loaded up on that one.
Holden is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Holden is looking to escape.
Holden wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Johnson is looking to stand but Johnson has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Johnson looking to control but Holden is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Johnson throwing strikes here but Holden is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Holden is squirming around nicely.

Johnson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Holden knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Johnson on the ground.

Johnson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Holden manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Holden, who protects the arm well.
Holden is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holden is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson wants to stand but Holden is controlling his arm.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Holden manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwight Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

A head kick by Holden misses
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holden paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Holden throws a big shot that misses.
Mark Holden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mark Holden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dwight Johnson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holden looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson shoots in but Holden avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick from Holden lands but Johnson takes it in his stride.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holden as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holden misses with a head kick.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Holden stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Holden sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from Holden. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Holden throws a sloppy head kick
and Johnson counters with a leg kick.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Holden sprawls well.
Holden tries to clinch up.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Holden keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Holden lands with a slapping head kick.
Johnson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holden circles away.

Holden has managed to clinch.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Johnson pulls guard.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson pushes Holden off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Johnson throws a nice head kick!
Holden wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Holden sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson tries to clinch but Holden is having none of it.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Holden jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.

Holden has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Holden is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Holden into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is stalling here.

Johnson pulls guard.
Johnson is trying to keep Holden in close.
Holden won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Holden will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Holden has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Johnson is proving hard to escape from.

Johnson has his feet on Holden's thighs here. He's pushed Holden off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Holden screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dwight Johnson!