PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Fraser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Johnson
vs
Fraser

192 cm
25
272 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
24
222 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chris Fraser!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Fraser looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Johnson lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Chris Fraser has been cut.
Fraser takes a knee to the side of the body.
Johnson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Fraser controls the action.
Johnson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Fraser in his tracks for a moment.

Johnson 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 moves into the clinch.
Johnson is trying to drag Fraser to the mat but Fraser just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short uppercut from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson taking a breather.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Johnson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Johnson for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Johnson is struggling to control the position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Paul Johnson.

Johnson gets the takedown into side control.

Johnson decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fraser has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fraser backwards.
We've been hearing reports that Johnson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that Fraser shrugs off.
Johnson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fraser being controlled against the cage.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fraser lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson taking a breather.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fraser avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped Fraser in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fraser takes a knee to the side of the body.
Johnson is working Fraser over against the cage.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson rushes Fraser and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Fraser off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnson is standing up over Fraser. Fraser looks to escape but Johnson dives into side control.

The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Fraser to his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Fraser's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson lands a head kick. Fraser smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fraser defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Paul Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fraser jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johnson walks away with a smile on his face. Fraser gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Johnson has managed to clinch.

Johnson jumps guard.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Fraser controlling him for the moment.

Johnson kicks Fraser off and gets to his feet.

Johnson forces Fraser back against the cage and clinches.
Fraser is breathing heavily.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Johnson.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fraser but Fraser pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Johnson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Johnson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fraser up against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Johnson rushes Fraser and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Johnson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Johnson wants to clinch up but Fraser keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fraser is defended easily by Johnson.
Fraser dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Fraser tries to counter by closing the distance.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Fraser manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul 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.
Johnson lands a good knee to the midsection. Fraser won't want to take too many of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a shoulder strike.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson landing knees to the head.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fraser napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnson gets through Fraser's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Fraser swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Fraser's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fraser tries to pull guard but Johnson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Johnson jumps guard.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Fraser is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fraser decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fraser displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Paul Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Fraser.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fraser is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Fraser keeps it at a distance.
Paul Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fraser swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fraser leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fraser tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson landing knees to the body.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fraser pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fraser is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a good knee to the midsection. Fraser won't want to take too many of those.
Fraser is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fraser wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Fraser blocks it.
Fraser goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson feints and as Fraser raises his hands in defense, Johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fraser is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Johnson dives into side control.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fraser can do to turn this around?

Fraser is trying to escape the position but Johnson is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Fraser for as long as he can get away with.

Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Johnson!
Our winner, Paul Johnson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.