PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Figgs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Figgs
vs
Johnson

165 cm
19
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frankie Figgs!
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, AJ Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Figgs throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice sprawl there from Figgs as Johnson shoots in.
A head kick misses from Figgs.
Figgs misses with a head kick.
Figgs tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Figgs.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Frankie Figgs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AJ Johnson.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Figgs tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Figgs to the ground. Figgs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Figgs.
Nice sprawl there from Figgs as Johnson shoots in.
Figgs looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Figgs persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt

and Figgs holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Johnson looks gassed!

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Frankie Figgs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Figgs keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Figgs misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Figgs is trying to control but can't.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Figgs is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figgs missing with punches from the bottom.
Johnson is keen to just control but Figgs is a slippery customer.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Figgs defending well though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson lands a head kick. Figgs smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Figgs throws a head kick that misses

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Figgs misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson scores with a jab.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Figgs's guard.
Figgs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Figgs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Figgs kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Figgs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Johnson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Figgs has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Figgs shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Figgs is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Figgs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Figgs isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figgs being controlled here momentarily.
Figgs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Figgs defends easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Figgs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Johnson moves out of range as Figgs throws a body kick.
Figgs throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Figgs.
Figgs throws a head kick that misses

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Figgs's guard.
Figgs trying to control the position.
Johnson pushes down on Figgs's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Figgs is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Figgs is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Figgs is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Figgs.
Figgs throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Figgs stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in but Figgs avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Figgs looks to throw a body kick

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Figgs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Figgs manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Johnson.
Figgs might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Figgs kicks Johnson off and gets to his feet.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Figgs throws a sloppy head kick
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Figgs swings away with a body shot that misses
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Figgs shrugs it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Figgs throws a head kick that misses
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Figgs will be more careful next time no doubt.
Frankie Figgs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson slips under a jab from Figgs.

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Johnson showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Figgs is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Figgs wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Figgs!
AJ Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Figgs looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figgs trying to control the action but Johnson just sinks the hooks in.

Johnson is looking for the choke from the back position but Figgs is controlling his hands well.
Johnson missing with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Figgs trying to control the action but Johnson just sinks the hooks in.
Figgs looking very determined here, making life difficult for Johnson.
Johnson is not going to allow Figgs to sit and survive in this position.
Frankie Figgs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
AJ Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Figgs tries to escape but Johnson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Johnson!