PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Gatto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Jacques Johnson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jacques Johnson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Johnson
vs
Gatto

220 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacques Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Gatto!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Gatto is looking to score with low kicks.
Jacques Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.

Johnson gets control of Gatto's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johnson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gatto defends it easily.

Gatto 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!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gatto working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.

Gatto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johnson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gatto's guard.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gatto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Gatto's legs - danger averted.

Gatto has an active guard here but Johnson has managed to pass into half guard.

Gatto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gatto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson prevents Gatto from improving his position.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson tries to stand and escape but Gatto is controlling the position.

Gatto looking for submissions off his back.

Gatto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gatto looks winded!
Johnson wants to stand up but Gatto has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Gatto is not content to let Johnson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Gatto defends the submission attempt.
Johnson wants to control but Gatto is keeping him busy.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gatto works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gatto is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.

Gatto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson wants to stand but Gatto is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gatto manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gatto looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
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 Jacques Johnson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson gets the takedown into side control.
Gatto tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Johnson presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Gatto sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Gatto actively working from the bottom here.

Gatto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gatto is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gatto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gatto looking for submissions off his back.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gatto has managed to free his arm - good work.

Johnson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Johnson clinches.

That's two 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 has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gatto uses from the top position.

Gatto 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!

Johnson wants to stand but Gatto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Gatto working for submissions but it's allowed Johnson to get to half guard.
Johnson controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working Gatto over with strikes.

Gatto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson wants to stand up but Gatto is controlling the position.
Gatto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Gatto has his feet on Johnson's thighs here. He's pushed Johnson off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Johnson screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Gatto!
An out of breath Joe Gatto thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.