PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between paul johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diablo Rage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

johnson
vs
Rage

189 cm
21
194 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, paul johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Diablo Rage!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Rage wants to get back to his feet but johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
johnson throwing strikes from guard but Rage blocks nicely.
johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rage lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for johnson!

Rage working for a submission but johnson is keeping him at bay.
johnson regains half guard.
johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rage trying to control the position from guard on top but johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rage's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
johnson is working Rage over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rage is keeping the position for now.
johnson postures up.
Rage is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rage looks gassed!
johnson postures up in Rage's guard and throws a big left but Rage blocks it.
johnson postures up in Rage's guard and throws a big left but Rage blocks it.
Rage trying to keep a closed guard but johnson is proving a slippery customer.
johnson thows a big elbow that misses.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
johnson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

johnson tightens his grip and picks Rage up, before dumping him to the ground. Rage manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rage, up you get!

johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

johnson has control of Rage's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rage regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
johnson avoids the attempt from Rage to control.
johnson landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Rage is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
johnson trying to control but Rage is having none of it.
johnson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rage manages to regain half guard. Good work.
johnson trying to mount his opponent but Rage defends it.
johnson throws a strike but Rage avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
johnson won't allow Rage to sweep him here.
Rage is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst johnson is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rage 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.
johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rage's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

paul johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

johnson throws a right hand that Rage ducks under and follows up with a left that Rage also avoids with ease.
johnson throws a head kick but Rage moves out of range.

johnson shoots in and bounces Rage off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Rage pushes johnson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rage tries to clinch but fails miserably

and johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rage!

johnson goes for an armbar but Rage turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rage advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage trying to control the position but johnson is working away.
johnson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rage's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
johnson trying to control but Rage postures up.
Rage wants to take a breather but johnson is having none of it.
johnson works his way to full guard. Good work.
johnson is trying to keep Rage in close.
johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
johnson is working hard here to advance position.

johnson wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rage doesn't manage to clinch there - johnson circles away.

johnson gets the takedown into side control.
johnson trying to control the action but Rage is working from the bottom.
Rage regains half guard.
Rage trying to control from the bottom.
johnson content to control rather than advance.
Rage is trying to control but can't.
johnson throwing shots but Rage is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rage does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

johnson decides to stand and escape the position.
johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.

johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rage looking to control.
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.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
johnson wants to control but Rage is keeping him busy.
johnson prevents Rage from improving his position.
Rage is looking to escape.
Rage is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rage won't allow johnson to pass to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

johnson is looking for a kimura here.
Rage is not content to let johnson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

paul johnson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

johnson throws a head kick but Rage moves out of range.

Rage closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming johnson to the mat! johnson manages to get full guard.
Rage wants to control from the top but johnson keeps moving.

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

johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rage is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst johnson is controlling him.

Rage had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. johnson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rage Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take johnson's back instead.
johnson tries to escape the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure johnson doesn't escape.
johnson looking to control the position.
johnson wants to escape the position.

Rage working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. johnson is doing well to defend. Rage seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! johnson is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Diablo Rage!