PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilligan Obama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Obama has chosen sound of maddness as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Billy Johnson looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Johnson
vs
Obama

190 cm
19
188 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
184 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Xtreme MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Billy Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gilligan Obama!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, David Schapiro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Obama shows good takedown defense.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!

Obama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Obama trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
Obama trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Obama to the mat! Obama manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Obama, up you get!

Obama pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.

Obama pulls guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Johnson wants to stand and escape but instead Obama has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Obama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Obama from controlling successfully.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Obama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Obama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Johnson manages to get back to half guard.
Johnson tries to kick Obama off but Obama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obama wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.

Obama stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnson to get to his feet.

Obama scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Obama trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Obama dominating with strikes here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Obama fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Obama is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson really wants to buck Obama off and get back to his feet.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working to get back to half guard.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Obama has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Johnson's face.
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Obama scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.

It looks like Billy Johnson has been cut.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson regains half guard.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Obama pulls his head out easily.
Obama working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Obama isn't so interested in that idea.

Obama drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Johnson dives on top into guard.
Obama looking for a sweep. Not yet Obama, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obama keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Obama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Obama keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

Obama pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.

Obama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Obama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
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 is desperately trying to improve his position but Obama has a good base and remains in mount.

Obama working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is in no mood to give up.
Johnson regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Obama passes to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilligan Obama dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Johnson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Billy Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson fails with the takedown

and Obama counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Obama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Obama wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

Johnson has his foot on Obama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Obama works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Obama tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.

Johnson working for a triangle but Obama defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Obama trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Obama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Obama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Obama stops Johnson from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Obama is retaining full guard.
Obama has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.
Johnson stops Obama from standing up.
Obama trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Obama will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt

and Obama counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Obama from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Obama is one step ahead there.
Obama postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Obama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Obama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Obama looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Obama working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Obama looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.

Obama gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Obama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Obama is keeping the position for now.
Obama thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Obama controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Obama's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Obama is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obama seems keen to control Johnson's posture.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Obama stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Obama tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Obama to the ground. Obama escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Obama counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Obama has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Obama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Obama misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Obama trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilligan Obama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Billy Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Obama closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnson to the mat! Johnson manages to get full guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Obama from controlling successfully.
Obama preventing the sweep.
Obama with a nice head shot there.

Johnson has his foot on Obama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Obama works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.

Johnson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Obama gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Obama won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.

Johnson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Obama prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Obama has his hands on Johnson's head, controlling the position.

Obama is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Obama trying to control the position.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Obama's guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Obama is keeping the position.
Gilligan Obama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson wants to stand but Obama has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Obama is keeping the position for now.

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 wanted to stand there but Obama had control of the position.

Obama working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Obama won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Obama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Obama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Obama with good strikes from the mount here!
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Obama fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Johnson working to try and regain half guard.

Obama is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Johnson has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Obama unloads with some shots from mount but Johnson bucks and avoids them well.
Obama lands a big shot there that rocks Johnson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Obama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johnson is looking to escape.
Johnson tries to buck Obama off but he can't manage it.
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Johnson regains half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Obama is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obama passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Johnson!
Johnson can't escape the position.
Obama tries to control but Johnson wriggling away.
Johnson is in a horrible position here. Obama smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Johnson regains half guard.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Obama is controlling well.
Billy Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Obama moves nicely into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gilligan Obama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Obama has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilligan Obama!