PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Austin Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Rivers
vs
Johnson

170 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
147 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Austin Rivers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivers. Rivers gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson lands a front kick.

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rivers blocks the elbow strike.
Rivers effectively controlling the action here.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Austin Rivers has been cut.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.
Rivers takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rivers can't get the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Rivers in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Johnson throws an elbow but misses.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.

Austin Rivers's cut is getting worse.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Rivers dodges an elbow strike from Johnson.
Johnson lands an elbow just above Rivers 's eye.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.

Austin Rivers's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Johnson gets control of Rivers's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johnson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Johnson pulls Rivers in to control the position.
Let's hope that Johnson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rivers manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 slips nicely into half guard.
Rivers is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rivers is trying to escape the mount but Johnson keeps good control and instead manages to take Rivers's back.
Johnson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Rivers doesn't escape.
Johnson tries to keep control of the position but Rivers is staying busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Johnson is looking to control Rivers but Rivers is wriggling around and keeping busy.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Anthony Johnson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Johnson has managed to clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Rivers trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.
Nice elbow from Johnson.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands an elbow just above Rivers 's eye.

Jeez, Austin Rivers's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rivers's defenses.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Austin Rivers's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Anthony Johnson!