PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Bedford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dodson
vs
Bedford

167 cm
37
130 lbs
24 - 26 - 0

175 cm
31
135 lbs
16 - 21 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dodson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Bedford!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dodson dives in for a single leg takedown but Bedford sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It seemed like Bedford was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bedford misses with a double jab.
Bedford closes the distance and clinches up with Dodson, looking for a takedown. Bedford pushes Dodson against the cage but Dodson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Bedford shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Bedford from controlling successfully.
Dodson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bedford wanted to stand there but Dodson had control of the position.
Bedford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dodson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dodson working for a triangle but Bedford defends it easily.
Bedford postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dodson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bedford doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bedford manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bedford must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dodson controls Bedford momentarily but Bedford frees himself.

Bedford is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dodson tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dodson pulls Bedford in close to prevent any damage.
Bedford is looking to work some ground and pound but Dodson has wrist control.
Dodson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dodson lands with a punch from half guard.
Dodson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bedford keeps working.
Still in half guard, Dodson seems content to control.
Bedford is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson is trying to control. Bedford wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dodson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bedford sees it coming and defends easily.
Bedford flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bedford is looking to control Dodson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bedford avoid being mounted?
Dodson prevents Bedford from standing back up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Dodson is looking to take a break and control but Bedford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bedford misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dodson.
Dodson shoots in but Bedford avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dodson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bedford is fending him off so far but Dodson persists. Nope, Bedford circles away and we're back to standing.
Bedford is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bedford shoots for a double leg takedown but Dodson sprawls well. He's pushed Bedford's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dodson.
Dodson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bedford.
It looked like Dodson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bedford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bedford shoots in looking for a takedown. Dodson tries to sprawl out of it but Bedford keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dodson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bedford throws a body punch but Dodson moves out of range.

Bedford has closed the distance and engaged Dodson in a clinch.
Dodson trying to land knees to the body.

Bedford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Dodson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dodson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bedford defends it nicely.
Dodson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
John Dodson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dodson dives in and grabs Bedford's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bedford pushes down on Dodson's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dodson has a takedown stuffed.
Bedford wants to counter with a clinch but Dodson pushes him away.
Dodson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dodson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bedford sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dodson misses with a low kick.
Dodson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bedford is fending him off so far but Dodson persists. Nope, Bedford circles away and we're back to standing.

Bedford takes the fight into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bedford jumps guard but Dodson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Bedford pulls guard successfully.
Bedford looking to control.
Dodson trying to control the position from guard on top but Bedford 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.
Bedford trying to strike off his back.
Dodson is stalling in the full guard.
Bedford is looking to stand up but Dodson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bedford looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Dodson postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dodson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bedford pinned against the cage. Bedford gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dodson goes for a double leg but Bedford avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bedford continues to drive forward.
Dodson shoots in looking for a takedown but Bedford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dodson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bedford has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bedford shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bedford is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Dodson manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dodson is on top in guard.

Bedford is trying to keep Dodson in close.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bedford can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dodson tries to free his leg and advance position but Bedford is retaining full guard.
Dodson preventing the sweep.
Dodson passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dodson working away.
Bedford wants to get back to his feet but Dodson is dominant here and he's now got Bedford's back!
Bedford trying to control the hands but Dodson breaks the grip.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Dodson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Bedford tries to roll but Dodson sticks to his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Bedford showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bedford gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Dodson counters with a stiff right hand.

Bedford closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Dodson's guard.

Dodson looking for a triangle here. Bedford is fighting it but it looks tight! Dodson pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Bedford is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). John Dodson!
John Dodson opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.