PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brisco County Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
County Jr

196 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brisco County Jr!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with County Jr but County Jr pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
County Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but County Jr 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 looks to clinch

and County Jr counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by County Jr.
Johnson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but County Jr is defending well.

County Jr has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Johnson uses from the top position.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but County Jr has wrist control.
County Jr is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
County Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
County Jr wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
Johnson wants to sweep here but County Jr controlling him for the moment.
County Jr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brisco County Jr wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nice takedown defense from County Jr. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.

County Jr rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but County Jr has him pressed against the cage.
County Jr tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Johnson pulls County Jr into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from County Jr.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but County Jr passes into half guard.
Johnson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from County Jr.
County Jr would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
County Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
County Jr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
County Jr wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson trying to strike off his back.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Brisco County Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

County Jr shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. County Jr showed some decent athleticism there.
County Jr tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
County Jr is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Johnson manages to get to full guard.
Johnson striking off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as County Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brisco County Jr dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has County Jr pinned against the cage. County Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
County Jr cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson wants to clinch up but County Jr keeps it at a distance.
County Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as County Jr sprawls well. County Jr wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
County Jr tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Johnson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
County Jr has his hands on Johnson's head, controlling the position.

County Jr working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
County Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County Jr 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.
County Jr looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

County Jr pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Nice cross by County Jr.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

County Jr breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
County Jr closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. County Jr pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.
Johnson tries to clinch but County Jr moves out of range.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around County Jr's waist but County Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
County Jr fails to land the takedown.
County Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

County Jr rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
County Jr gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.

County Jr successfully pulls guard.
County Jr trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

County Jr is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from County Jr.
County Jr looking to control.

County Jr is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.
County Jr wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
County Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
County Jr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

County Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of County Jr's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
County Jr working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as County Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but County Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
County Jr trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brisco County Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

County Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from County Jr. County Jr gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

County Jr rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite County Jr's efforts to push away.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but County Jr keeps him there for the moment.
County Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson stalling in the clinch but County Jr improves position.
Johnson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of County Jr backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County Jr misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson looking to stall.
County Jr is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
County Jr has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
County Jr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Anthony Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brisco County Jr.
County Jr pressing his opponent against the cage.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but County Jr gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
County Jr fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Brisco County Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

County Jr has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Johnson uses from the top position.
Johnson is fighting to break County Jr's control of his arms but County Jr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but County Jr blocks nicely.
Johnson postures up in County Jr's guard and throws a big left but County Jr blocks it.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. County Jr uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by County Jr!
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.
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 tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
County Jr wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

Brisco County Jr has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but County Jr avoids it really well and circles away.
Anthony Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Anthony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
County Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
County Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has County Jr pinned against the cage. County Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but County Jr sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

County Jr drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
County Jr controlling from the top position.

County Jr gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
County Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but County Jr persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
County Jr closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.

County Jr fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. County Jr is now in Johnson's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
County Jr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brisco County Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well County Jr 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brisco County Jr!
During a confident post fight interview, Brisco County Jr thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.