PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanders's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Con te Partiro. Chris Sanders could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jeff Johnson's chin.

Sanders
vs
Johnson

189 cm
22
205 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeff Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sanders's head.
Sanders defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Sanders throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sanders looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sanders looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sanders blocks a jab.
Sanders moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Sanders moved away.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Sanders throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.

Sanders clinches.
Sanders managing to block the knees to the body from Johnson.

Sanders lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to Sanders's head to control him but Sanders postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sanders kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sanders is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Sanders not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanders is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Sanders is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders staying out of range there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jeff Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Sanders counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Johnson wants to stand up but Sanders is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanders is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Johnson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Johnson has escaped and now he's on top!
Sanders is breathing heavily.

Sanders 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.
Sanders is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Sanders keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Sanders looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanders sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson sizes up Sanders with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Jeff Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sanders decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Sanders is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sanders with the ground and pound but Johnson uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanders is fighting to break Johnson's control of his arms but Johnson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sanders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sanders stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Sanders's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson misses with an uppercut. Sanders saw that one coming.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sanders takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson closes the distance but Sanders moves to the side

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.
Johnson controlling the position well.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Sanders working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Sanders is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sanders throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Sanders is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Sanders trying to move into half guard but instead Johnson has managed to sweep!
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson wants to stand but Sanders is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson won't allow Sanders to sweep him here.

Sanders pushes Johnson off and gets back to his feet.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanders wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanders won't allow it.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.

Sanders manages to break the clinch.
Sanders closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Sanders moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson cracks the inside of Sanders's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Sanders bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jeff Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanders moves away.
Sanders tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Sanders fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Sanders's head back.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Sanders circles away.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Sanders misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sanders misses with a wild combination.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Sanders takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four 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.
Sanders takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Johnson misses with a straight left.

Sanders bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is not content to let Sanders control the position.
Sanders misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Johnson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sanders has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sanders is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson is trying to buck Sanders off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chris Sanders will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sanders's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sanders changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Sanders manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Sanders moved out of range.
Johnson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Sanders closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sanders avoiding damage as Johnson throws knees to the body.
Johnson can't break the clinch.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sanders lands a body punch.
Sanders jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Sanders around his waist. Sanders gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sanders avoiding damage as Johnson throws knees to the body.

Sanders pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Sanders on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sanders clinches with his opponent.
Sanders has Johnson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Johnson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Johnson has managed to clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson throws a solid leg kick but Sanders takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Johnson.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sanders counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sanders tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson crunches a lovely knee into Sanders's ribcage.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanders.
Sanders tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Johnson missing with knees to the body.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sanders tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Sanders breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is doing well to control the position and prevent Sanders from advancing to side control.
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.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Sanders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sanders throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Sanders saw that one coming.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.
Sanders slips under a jab.

Sanders scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Johnson tries to roll over but Sanders keeps him under control.
Sanders wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Sanders throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Johnson is not content to let Sanders control the position.
Sanders thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sanders is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.
Sanders throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson kicks off Sanders and gets to his feet.
Sanders shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Sanders's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sanders. That did some damage!
Sanders has a takedown stuffed.
A low kick from Johnson is predictable there

and Sanders counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is trying to keep Sanders in close.
Sanders with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sanders postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Johnson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sanders, into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Chris Sanders.
I think Sanders has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!