PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lars Yemlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nico Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lars Yemlin looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Yemlin
vs
Johnson

185 cm
24
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lars Yemlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nico Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Yemlin gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.

Yemlin breaks the clinch.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yemlin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Yemlin is fighting to break Johnson's control of his arms but Johnson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Johnson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yemlin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemlin looking to pass the guard.
Yemlin is breathing heavily.
Johnson is trying to keep Yemlin in close.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Yemlin isn't so interested in that idea.
Yemlin won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

Johnson has his foot on Yemlin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yemlin works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yemlin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yemlin defends well.
Yemlin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yemlin trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson controls Yemlin momentarily but Yemlin frees himself.
Johnson wants to control but Yemlin passes easily into half guard.
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!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson trying to hold on to Yemlin's head to control him but Yemlin postures up.
Yemlin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson trying to control but Yemlin postures up.
Johnson tries to roll over but Yemlin keeps him under control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nico Johnson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Johnson tries to clinch but Yemlin moves out of range.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Yemlin circles away.
Yemlin throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yemlin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yemlin swivels and escapes.
Lars Yemlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nico Johnson.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Yemlin's face as Johnson controls the position.
Yemlin stops Johnson from passing to mount.
Yemlin is looking for a sweep.
Johnson taking a breather here.

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Yemlin down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nico Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson is looking to clinch.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson trying to control but Yemlin is working from the bottom.
We've been informed that Johnson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Johnson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Yemlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nico Johnson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Yemlin shows good takedown defense.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Yemlin sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Yemlin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yemlin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Yemlin tightens his grip and picks Johnson up, before dumping him to the ground. Johnson manages to land in guard.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yemlin wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nico Johnson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Yemlin circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson throws a head kick but Yemlin moves out of range.

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Yemlin's guard.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Yemlin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Yemlin!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yemlin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yemlin is aware though and is defending well.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yemlin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yemlin wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nico Johnson!