PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Don Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Stern (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Miami Vice Theme Song. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Stern

186 cm
26
203 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
28
196 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Decent elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Don Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dick Stern!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Anthony Taglia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stern tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stern misses with a low kick.
Stern throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johnson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stern lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stern's guard.
Johnson is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at World Combat Sports Academy that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Stern is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson stays in close to Stern's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson slips nicely into half guard.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control but Stern is keeping him busy.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Johnson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Stern's thigh. Stern counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Stern is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Stern is retaining full guard.
Stern has control of Johnson's left arm, preventing Johnson from doing any damage.
Johnson won't allow Stern to sweep him here.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stern is keeping the position for now.
Johnson trying to control but Stern is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnson misses with a hook to the body
and Stern makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stern tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Stern avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Dick Stern is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
Don Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stern takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stern tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Stern uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Stern works the jab nicely.
Stern avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Stern ducks down to avoid it.
Stern dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stern throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Stern cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson lands with a kick to the ribs.
Stern defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Stern connects with an inside leg kick.
Johnson misses with a shot to the body
enabling Stern to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stern.
Johnson checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Johnson misses.

Stern gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Stern is pulling down on Johnson's head to control his posture.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Stern is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Stern is keeping him busy.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stern avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stern lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Stern has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stern there as he acknowledges the shot.
Johnson slips under a jab from Stern.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Stern cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stern fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson swings for the body but Stern moves out of range.
Stern slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stern defends it nicely.
Stern throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Stern avoids nicely.
Johnson misses with a shot to the body
letting Stern counter with a right hand.
Johnson digs a good hook to Stern's body.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Stern avoids the body shot from Johnson.

Johnson clinches.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Stern avoids them all with ease.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stern can do to turn this around?
A shot to the body from Johnson misses
letting Stern counter with a right hand.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Stern is just out of range.
Stern connects with a nice looking jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
and Stern counters with a nice body shot.
A good leg kick by Stern.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stern misses with a head kick.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stern sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Stern fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stern walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Stern sprawls well.
Stern flicks out a counter leg kick but Johnson steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stern tries to land a leg kick but Johnson saw it coming and moves away.
Johnson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stern fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Johnson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stern misses with a head kick.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Stern was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab, jab by Johnson - just one landing.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stern!
Johnson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Stern tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Johnson mounts Stern! Really nice guard pass there!
Stern is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson tries to take Stern's back but instead Stern uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Johnson is keen to just control but Stern is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stern is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson trying to control the pace.
Stern is looking to improve his position.
Stern keeps trying to improve his position.
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 Don Johnson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stern jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stern moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stern doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Dick Stern seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Stern scores with a four punch combination!
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Stern shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Stern slips the punch.
Johnson throws an off balance right hand
and Stern counters with a slapping leg kick.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Stern bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson throws a jab when Stern was well out of range.
Johnson throws a combination. Stern tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Stern gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Stern.

It looks like Don Johnson has been cut.
Johnson is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stern can't find room to land a body shot as Johnson controls the action.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Stern has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Stern turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stern lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
Johnson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stern lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stern pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stern doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stern throws an elbow that misses.
Stern lands a nice elbow.
Stern throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Stern forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stern stalling in the clinch.
Stern misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stern misses with the head strike.
Stern pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Stern throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Stern.
A short uppercut from Stern.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Stern keeps him there for the moment.
Stern lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stern prevents a takedown attempt there.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stern just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stern tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stern smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a jab when Stern was well out of range.
Johnson throws the left hand but Stern avoids the punch easily.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As Stern tries to get set, Johnson tries to push him back and clinch up but Stern manages to avoid the attempt.
Stern uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Stern appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stern as he avoids it easily.
Stern on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stern connects with a solid leg kick.
Dick Stern has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Stern makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stern throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Johnson's head.
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stern.
Stern blocks a jab.
Stern clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stern fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stern looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Stern sneaks back into half guard.
Don Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stern is doing well to control the position and prevent Johnson from advancing to side control.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Stern is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Stern defends it.
Johnson wants to control but Stern is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dick Stern comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Don Johnson!
A relieved looking Don Johnson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.