PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Johansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Giordano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johansson comes into the arena with Tom Waits - Going out west. blaring out of the sound system. Giordano has chosen Godfather Theme (hip hop remix) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Antonio Giordano told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Johansson
vs
Giordano

178 cm
26
153 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

178 cm
24
150 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hugo Johansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Antonio Giordano!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johansson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Johansson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Giordano napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Johansson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Giordano down.
Giordano is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johansson connects with a decent elbow.

Johansson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Giordano knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johansson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Giordano keeps working.
Johansson landing strikes.
Johansson lands a few punches from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johansson in side control lands a decent elbow.

Johansson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Giordano being controlled for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Johansson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Giordano is trying to control Johansson's posture but Johansson avoids it.
Johansson with the ground and pound but Giordano regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Johansson is nestled in close to Giordano, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Giordano is not content to let Johansson control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Giordano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Giordano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Giordano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johansson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johansson trying to control but Giordano is working from the bottom.
Johansson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johansson is working Giordano over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johansson postures up in Giordano's guard and throws a big left but Giordano blocks it.
Johansson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giordano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Giordano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johansson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johansson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johansson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Giordano keeping moving, preventing Johansson from controlling successfully.
Johansson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johansson throws a strike but Giordano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Giordano throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johansson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giordano wants to control from the top but Johansson keeps moving.
Giordano pushes down on Johansson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Giordano wants to work for an arm triangle but Johansson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Giordano takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Giordano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johansson tries to roll over but Giordano keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Johansson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Giordano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johansson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johansson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johansson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Giordano throws a jab but it's blocked by Johansson.
Giordano thows a body shot but no joy.
Johansson misses with a straight right.
Nice body punch from Giordano.
Giordano swinging wildly here.
Johansson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Giordano defends it nicely.
Johansson fails with the takedown.
A punch combination from Giordano misses.
Giordano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johansson is fending him off so far but Giordano persists. Nope, Johansson circles away and we're back to standing.
Giordano cracks Johansson with a good jab.
Johansson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugo Johansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johansson dives in and grabs Giordano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Giordano pushes down on Johansson's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giordano misses with the combination.
Johansson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Giordano.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Giordano lands a jab to the nose.
Johansson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Giordano as he avoids it easily.
Johansson avoids the body shot from Giordano.
Giordano works Johansson's body with a nice hook.
Johansson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Giordano sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Giordano swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
Giordano connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johansson. Johansson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Giordano throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johansson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Giordano scores with a three punch combo!
Giordano stalks Johansson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Johansson's face. Johansson staggers backwards, shaken.
Johansson tries to clinch up but Giordano circles away and keeps his distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johansson.
Johansson fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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!
Johansson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johansson shoots in looking for a takedown. Giordano tries to sprawl out of it but Johansson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Giordano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Left hook, right uppercut from Giordano.
Johansson shoots in but Giordano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johansson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Giordano as he jumps to the side.
Giordano lands a jab.
Johansson tries to clinch but Giordano moves out of range.
Johansson shoots in looking for a takedown. Giordano tries to sprawl out of it but Johansson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Giordano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Giordano dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giordano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Giordano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A right-left combo lands from Giordano.
Johansson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Giordano counters with a straight right hand.
Giordano scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Johansson shoots and misses
and Giordano counters with a three punch combo that has Johansson backing up. Johansson nods at Giordano to acknowledge the strikes.
Giordano throws a right and a left that Johansson avoids nicely.
Giordano ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Johansson tries for a takedown but Giordano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Giordano thuds a left hand into Johansson's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Giordano scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Giordano connects with a jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johansson.
Giordano throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johansson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giordano fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Antonio Giordano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Danga de danga de dang - Giordano scores with a four punch combination!
Giordano connects with the punch.
Johansson dives in and grabs Giordano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Giordano pushes down on Johansson's head and hops out.
Johansson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Giordano dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Giordano works Johansson's body with a nice hook.
Giordano scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Giordano cracks Johansson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Johansson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Giordano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Giordano is working the combinations to good effect here.
Johansson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Giordano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab lands there for Giordano.
Johansson shoots in and drives through. Giordano sprawls well.
Johansson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Giordano throws a nice looking combination but Johansson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Giordano shoots in but Johansson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Giordano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johansson has a takedown stuffed.
Johansson fails with a takedown attempt.
Giordano ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Giordano dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Giordano throws a nice looking combination but Johansson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Giordano connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Johansson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Giordano swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugo Johansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Giordano throws a good cross that connects.
Johansson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Giordano cracks Johansson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Giordano connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johansson shoots in for a double leg but Giordano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Giordano connects with a right hand. Johansson shakes it off.
Giordano digs a good hook to Johansson's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giordano jabs Johansson right on the nose. Johansson blinks but takes it well.
Johansson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Giordano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Giordano's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Giordano duly obliges.

Giordano closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Giordano wants to control but Johansson is keeping him busy.
Johansson trying to hold on to Giordano's head to control him but Giordano postures up.
Giordano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johansson's head.
Giordano thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Giordano throwing shots but Johansson is blocking nicely.
Johansson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Johansson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Giordano goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Johansson is on top in guard.
Johansson with a nice head shot there.
Johansson throwing strikes from guard but Giordano blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Giordano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johansson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johansson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Giordano keeping moving, preventing Johansson from controlling successfully.
Giordano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johansson preventing the sweep.
Giordano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johansson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johansson lands a couple of digs.
Johansson trying to control the position from guard on top but Giordano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Giordano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johansson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johansson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Giordano keeping moving, preventing Johansson from controlling successfully.
Johansson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Giordano is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Giordano gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johansson lands a nice short elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Giordano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Giordano 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Giordano!
Antonio Giordano took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'I'm glad to be fighting here in Reach. Hopefully this is the first of many wins for me in Reach. I just want to thank my teammates at Renegade Den and Wolfschanze out in New York for getting me prepared for this fight.'.