PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Branton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Blood of Heroes! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Branton
vs
Johnson

180 cm
27
193 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

168 cm
30
200 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Billy Branton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Branton.
Nice uppercut there from Branton.
Branton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Branton closes the distance and clinches.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Branton throws a big shot that misses.
Branton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Branton jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Craig Johnson has been cut.
Branton feints a jab promting Johnson to slip. Branton then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Johnson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Branton misses with a looping left.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Branton throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Branton digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.
Branton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson checks a low kick from Branton.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Branton.
Billy Branton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Branton throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Branton misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Johnson lands.
Branton misses the jab.
Branton is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.

Johnson drops Branton with a big left hand and mounts him. Branton is in big trouble!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Branton avoids a series of strikes thrown by Johnson.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Branton is trying to stand up.
Branton is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.

Branton is rocked!
Branton avoids a series of strikes thrown by Johnson.
Johnson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Branton is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Branton flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Johnson anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Branton and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Johnson slips an arm under Branton chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Johnson has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Johnson is squeezing on Branton like an anaconda would it's prey. Branton fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Craig Johnson!
An out of breath Craig Johnson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.