PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Johnson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Guru
vs
Johnson

174 cm
24
147 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
147 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ground Guru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body kick there by Johnson.
Guru fails to land the takedown.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Guru misses with a takedown
and Johnson counters with a leg kick.
Guru shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Guru misses with an attempted mid kick.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with an inside leg kick.
Guru throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Guru tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Guru forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Guru's defenses.
Guru avoids a wild elbow strike from Johnson.
Nice elbow from Johnson.
Guru is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but Guru is blocking nicely.
Johnson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Guru's defenses.

It looks like Ground Guru has been cut.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Guru takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Guru's defenses.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Johnson scores with a knee to the head.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Guru blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson prevents a takedown attempt there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Ground Guru's cut is getting worse.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Guru wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Guru can't get the takedown.
Guru is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Guru is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Johnson is defending well.
Guru tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
Guru has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Guru tries to pull guard but Johnson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Guru is breathing heavily.
Johnson lands an elbow just above Guru 's eye.
Johnson lands a hook that snaps the head of Guru backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru jumps guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Guru drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Johnson pushes Guru away with a front kick.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Guru fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A slapping body kick lands there for Johnson.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Guru.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Guru moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Johnson.
Johnson lands a nice looking body kick.

Guru closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Guru is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Guru's brow.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Guru is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Johnson is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Guru is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.

Ground Guru's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Johnson landing knees to the body.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson missing with knees to the body.
Guru takes an elbow to the forehead.

Guru has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Johnson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Guru has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A kick lands to the mid section there for Johnson.
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Guru, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Guru avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Guru sees coming a mile off.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with an outside leg kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Guru checks it.

Johnson clinches up with Guru and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Guru jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johnson walks away with a smile on his face. Guru gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Guru steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Guru takes it in his stride.

Johnson has closed the distance and engaged Guru in a clinch.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Guru fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nice elbow from Johnson.
Guru fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Jeez, Ground Guru's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Guru's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
Guru blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Anthony Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Guru is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Johnson is defending well.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Anthony Johnson!
Anthony Johnson got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'