PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Eminem - Fuck. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Baker

216 cm
25
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jon Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jeff Baker!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Baker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Baker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Baker tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a three punch combo that has Baker backing up. Baker nods at Johnson to acknowledge the strikes.

Baker throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Baker finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Baker looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker wants to stand and escape but instead Johnson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Baker pushes Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters circling a little - Johnson finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Johnson sizes up Baker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jeff Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Baker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Johnson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson working over Baker with some ground and pound. Baker looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Baker is trying to escape back to his feet but Johnson uses the scramble to pass into side control.

Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baker circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Baker fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Johnson instigates a clinch.

Baker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baker is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Baker circles away and we're back to standing.

Baker dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.

Baker decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Baker fails to land the takedown.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Baker decides to stand back up.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Baker with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Baker gets the takedown into side control.

Baker stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baker is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baker scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Baker decides to stand up.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.

Baker closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Baker getting side control.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.

Baker gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Baker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Baker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jeff Baker will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab by Johnson.
Baker takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baker shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Baker avoids it.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baker circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jon Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Baker looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Baker blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Baker against the cage.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Baker avoids it well.
Baker takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Johnson scores with a spinning back kick!
Johnson wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Baker.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Baker shoots in.
Baker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jon Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Baker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Baker which made him look bad.
Baker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Baker wants a takedown but no success here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baker stops a takedown attempt from Johnson.

Baker gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Baker is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Johnson manages to get to full guard.

Baker stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Baker sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Baker shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Baker moves out of range.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Baker off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Baker uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Baker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Baker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Baker avoids nicely.
Jon Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Baker looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Baker stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Johnson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Baker leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baker shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baker misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baker stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Baker sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Johnson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Baker shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Baker takes it in his stride.
Baker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Baker shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jon Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Baker.
Johnson lunges at Baker with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Baker's hand.
Baker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baker enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baker manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Baker wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Baker can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker is looking to stand back up but Johnson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Baker.
Johnson stops Baker from getting back to his feet.
Johnson 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 tries to stand and escape but Baker is controlling the position.

Johnson decides to stand and escape the position.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Baker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Nice jab there from Johnson.
Baker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Baker persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker walks into a left hand.
Baker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker.
Baker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson misses with the combination.

Baker shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Jeff Baker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Baker stands up from mount. Strange move.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baker's waist but Baker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Baker shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Baker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck for Baker with that takedown attempt.
Johnson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Johnson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Baker to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Baker stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker shoots and misses

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Baker has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Johnson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Baker fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Baker is now in Johnson's guard.

Baker decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!
Baker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.

Baker throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Baker finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Baker gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jeff Baker.
I think Baker 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Jon Johnson!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Jon Johnson!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Jon Johnson!

Jon Johnson wins by unanimous decision!
Jon Johnson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.