PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwyane Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson has chosen eye of the tiger as his entrance music. 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
Anderson

199 cm
23
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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, Dwyane 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, Thiago Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Anderson did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Anderson looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Johnson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Anderson's thigh. Anderson counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Anderson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Anderson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Johnson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Anderson's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Anderson being controlled here, momentarily.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Anderson has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Dwyane Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Anderson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Anderson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Anderson tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dwyane Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Anderson.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Anderson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Anderson looks winded!
Anderson is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Anderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson fails with the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Anderson.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Anderson defends it.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Johnson is trying to control. Anderson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Johnson trying to control the action but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Anderson defends it.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Anderson defends it.
Anderson taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Anderson tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson cracks Anderson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnson tries to control but Anderson wriggling away.
Johnson landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwyane Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Anderson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Anderson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Johnson decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Anderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Anderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Anderson pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Anderson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Anderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Dwyane Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Well, if Johnson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Anderson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Anderson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson prevents Anderson from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pressing down on Anderson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Anderson is holding on for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Anderson is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Anderson's head.
Johnson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Anderson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson controlling from mount.
Johnson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Johnson tries to control but Anderson wriggling away.
Anderson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Anderson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson lands a couple of shots from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Anderson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson managing to control the position.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Anderson is controlling him.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Anderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Anderson is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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 trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwyane Johnson dominated that second round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Anderson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Anderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Anderson shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Anderson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson working the head with strikes.
Anderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Anderson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Anderson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Anderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Anderson dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Johnson not doing much here.
Anderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Anderson is controlling Johnson's trapped leg to prevent Johnson from advancing to side control.
Anderson is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots but Anderson is blocking nicely.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Anderson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Anderson wants to get back to his feet.

Johnson decides to stand up.
Johnson lands with a nice combination. Anderson backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Thiago Anderson has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Anderson's head.
Johnson stands up over Anderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Anderson can do to turn this around?
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson stands up over Anderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson stays in close to Anderson's body and controls the position.
Anderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Anderson is proving hard to escape from.
Dwyane Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Anderson is trying to keep Johnson in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Anderson is keeping the position.
Thiago Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dwyane Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dwyane Johnson!
Dwyane Johnson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Thiago Anderson spoke after the fight, saying 'i'll try to do my best next time'.