PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Showtime comes to the cage accompanied by Old Toms Hut. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Showtime
vs
Johnson

170 cm
27
185 lbs
2 - 10 - 0

186 cm
28
202 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 2 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, William Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Showtime gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Johnson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Johnson uses his free foot to push down on Showtime's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Showtime.
Johnson controlling from mount.

Johnson stands up from mount. Strange move.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Showtime throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Showtime napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Showtime is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
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 decides to take the fight back to the feet.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson works his way into side control.
Johnson taking a breather here.

Johnson decides to stand back up. Johnson steps back and let's Showtime get back to his feet.
Showtime changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Some wild striking there from Showtime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.

Johnson gets to his feet - Showtime follows without any prompting.
Left hook, right uppercut from Showtime.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Showtime sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Showtime just misses with a punch to the body.
Showtime fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Showtime's guard.

Showtime is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Showtime is breathing heavily.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Showtime sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Showtime gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
It looks like Johnson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Johnson advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Showtime won't allow it.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Johnson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson moves forwards but Showtime connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Showtime rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into Showtime's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnson taking a breather here.
William Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Showtime to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Showtime looks for the body kick but Johnson saw that one coming.
Showtime throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rick Showtime is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Showtime throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Showtime shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Showtime throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson leaves Showtime with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Showtime misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Showtime defends it nicely.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Showtime tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Showtime manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rick Showtime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Johnson.
Showtime throws a low kick but Johnson moves out of range easily.
Showtime misses with a double jab.
Showtime looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Johnson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Showtime tries to clinch up.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson passes to side control.
Johnson taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Johnson is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Showtime's guard.

Johnson gets to his feet. Showtime looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Johnson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Showtime's guard.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Showtime to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Showtime misses the jab.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Showtime enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Showtime manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Johnson controlling from the top position.

Showtime is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Showtime tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Showtime's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Showtime defends it nicely.
William Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Showtime's guard.

Johnson stands and steps away. Showtime gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Showtime is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Showtime circles away and we're back to standing.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Johnson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Showtime defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Rick Showtime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Johnson.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Showtime's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson stands up and waves to Showtime to follow him.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Showtime is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.

Johnson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Showtime!

Johnson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Showtime as he jumps to the side.
Showtime defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Showtime is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Showtime tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Showtime's guard.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Showtime, up you get!
Showtime misses with a body shot.

Showtime gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Johnson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Showtime avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Showtime continues to drive forward.

Johnson breaks the clinch.

Showtime has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Showtime prevents the takedown attempt.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Johnson is pressing down on Showtime's thigh, looking to free his foot. Showtime is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Johnson decides to stand and escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
William Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Johnson!