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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rusty Hofnaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Voodoo People. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 202 cm
42
250 lbs
33 - 32 - 1 |
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196 cm
28
255 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
33 - 32 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rusty Hofnaker!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Richard Clark and William Gold.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Hofnaker.
Hofnaker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Johnson being controlled against the cage.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hofnaker to keep the fight standing.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Hofnaker manages to get underhooks.
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hofnaker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hofnaker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hofnaker receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hofnaker just stands there and leans against the cage.
Come on Hofnaker - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Hofnaker.
Johnson is working for takedown but Hofnaker is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hofnaker dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hofnaker breaks from the clinch.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hofnaker.
Hofnaker throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
It looks like Thomas Johnson has been cut.
Hofnaker cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Hofnaker moves into the clinch.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
Knees to the body from Hofnaker.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hofnaker lands a shoulder strike.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch.
Johnson clinches up against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hofnaker pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hofnaker throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson wants a takedown.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Hofnaker holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Hofnaker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson has Hofnaker up against the cage in a clinch.
Hofnaker trying to land knees to the body.
Johnson goes for a takedown attempt but Hofnaker pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson is working for takedown but Hofnaker is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hofnaker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hofnaker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Hofnaker lands with a right to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hofnaker.
A bit of stalling here from Hofnaker.
Johnson is looking for a takedown.
Hofnaker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hofnaker lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Hofnaker won't allow it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hofnaker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hofnaker stalling against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Hofnaker.
Hofnaker stalling.
Hofnaker digs a right hand underneath Johnson's ribcage. Johnson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Johnson looking to slow down the pace here.
Hofnaker has Johnson pressed against the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Hofnaker has control.
Hofnaker manages to break the clinch.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from Hofnaker.
Rusty Hofnaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hofnaker closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Hofnaker tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Hofnaker using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rusty Hofnaker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Johnson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Hofnaker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hofnaker takes the fight into the clinch.
Hofnaker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hofnaker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Johnson jumps guard but Hofnaker stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hofnaker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hofnaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Hofnaker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hofnaker with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hofnaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hofnaker scores with the left hand. Johnson knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hofnaker moves into the clinch.
Hofnaker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick misses from Hofnaker.
Johnson throws a big counter combination but Hofnaker scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hofnaker instigates a clinch.
Hofnaker missing with knees to the body.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hofnaker checks a leg kick.
Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Hofnaker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hofnaker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hofnaker just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Hofnaker, against the cage.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
Hofnaker tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Hofnaker prevents a takedown attempt there.
A knee to the head by Hofnaker.
Rusty Hofnaker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hofnaker content to slow the pace in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hofnaker smiles and moves away.
Hofnaker has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Hofnaker is struggling to control the position.
Hofnaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Hofnaker won't allow it.
Hofnaker is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson is just content to waste time from the top position. Hofnaker takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hofnaker manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hofnaker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hofnaker defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rusty Hofnaker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thomas Johnson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Hofnaker throws a shot to the body.
Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hofnaker, pushing him back against the cage.
Hofnaker throws an elbow that misses.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hofnaker stalling the fight.
Hofnaker gets through Johnson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch.
Hofnaker drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hofnaker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hofnaker lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hofnaker after a bit of a struggle.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hofnaker has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thomas Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Hofnaker just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Hofnaker holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Johnson jumps guard but Hofnaker turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hofnaker tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Johnson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Hofnaker has double underhooks.
Hofnaker gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Hofnaker scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hofnaker will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Johnson up against the cage.
Hofnaker scores with a knee to the head.
Hofnaker tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
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 tries to score a body lock takedown but Hofnaker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hofnaker effectively controlling the action here.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hofnaker after a bit of a struggle.
Hofnaker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hofnaker moves into the clinch.
Hofnaker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hofnaker landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hofnaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hofnaker moves into the clinch.
Hofnaker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hofnaker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Hofnaker drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Johnson defends it well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hofnaker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hofnaker tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hofnaker working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rusty Hofnaker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Hofnaker turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thomas Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Hofnaker in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Hofnaker displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson jumps guard but Hofnaker turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rusty Hofnaker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hofnaker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 26:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rusty Hofnaker!
An out of breath Rusty Hofnaker thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
43% |
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