PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Okay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Johnson
vs
Okay

165 cm
21
141 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jeff Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinya Okay!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Okay.
Okay misses with a takedown

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okay trying to control the position here.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Jeff Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Okay throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Okay is in Johnson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okay trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Okay missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Okay on the ground.
Okay prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Okay.
Okay trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Okay throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okay slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shinya Okay was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Okay looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Okay has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Okay not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Okay throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Okay not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okay trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson pushes Okay off looking to stand but Okay dives back in and keeps control.

Okay stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnson to get to his feet.
Okay shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jeff Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Okay.
Okay shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Okay's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Okay shoots in.
Okay looks gassed!
Okay displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okay misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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!
Okay wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Johnson controlling the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson is just content to waste time from the top position. Okay takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jeff Johnson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Okay tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Okay which made him look bad.
Okay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Okay throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Okay.
Okay fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Okay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okay fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Okay was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Okay pulls Johnson in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okay looking to control.
Okay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Okay is keeping the position.
Jeff Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shinya Okay hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Okay is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Okay did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not doing much here.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Okay to regain full guard.

Okay pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Okay is breathing heavily.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Okay manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Okay gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Okay from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Okay throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Johnson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jeff Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Okay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Okay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Okay misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Okay is looking to clinch.

Okay throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Okay is in Johnson's guard.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Okay from standing up.
Okay wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okay is standing up over Johnson. Johnson looks to escape but Okay dives into side control.
Okay wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Okay decides to stand back up.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson slows the pace down.
You can see the frustration on Okay's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson trying to control the action but Okay is working from the bottom.
Johnson controls the position from side control.
Okay prevents Johnson from improving position.

Johnson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Johnson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okay is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Okay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Okay manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Okay keeping control of the position.
Jeff Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is just content to waste time from the top position. Okay takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Okay is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson stays in close to Okay's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shinya Okay was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Shinya Okay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shinya Okay.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jeff Johnson!