PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Majar Rakim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermaine 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.

Rakim
vs
Johnson

183 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Majar Rakim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jermaine Johnson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakim shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson fails with the takedown

and Rakim decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakim seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Rakim decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rakim stuffs the takedown.
Rakim doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rakim takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rakim shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Majar Rakim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Rakim avoids nicely.
Rakim swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Rakim looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Rakim persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson scores with a one two! Rakim had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rakim with a poor takedown
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Rakim is breathing heavily.
Rakim fails with the takedown.
Rakim closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Rakim pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Rakim moves out of range.

Johnson darts in and clinches Rakim up against the cage.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Rakim is controlling the position.
Rakim is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rakim is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Rakim into the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Rakim has control.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakim tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Johnson jumps guard.

Rakim avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Rakim is having none of it.
Rakim trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson wants to stand up but Rakim is controlling him.
Johnson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Rakim is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rakim strikes from the bottom but Johnson passes into mount!
Johnson is looking to stand but Johnson has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

That's four 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.
Rakim reaches up to try and control the position but Johnson seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Rakim rolls and tries to escape and now Johnson has his back!
Johnson not allowing Rakim to control his hands.

Johnson is cranking Rakim's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Rakim! He's tightened the choke and Rakim is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jermaine Johnson!