PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andy Johnson (ranked 4734 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Inoki (ranked 4793 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.

Johnson
vs
Inoki

186 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 Las Vegas, Andy Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonio Inoki!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson gets the takedown into side control.
Inoki is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Johnson asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Inoki trying to remain calm as Johnson controls from the top position.
Inoki is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inoki takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Johnson staying calm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Inoki takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Inoki is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Johnson has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inoki bucks up and tries to throw Johnson off but instead Johnson has got his back!
Johnson punishes Inoki with strikes from the back mount.
Johnson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Johnson tightening his grip on Inoki, looking for the choke.
Inoki is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Inoki is trying to shake Johnson off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Johnson won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.

Johnson pulls guard successfully.
Johnson wants to stand but Inoki is controlling the position.

Johnson is working an open guard so Inoki takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Johnson blocks the leg kick.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Johnson winds up and cracks Inoki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Johnson has Inoki pressed against the cage, preventing Inoki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Inoki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Inoki being controlled against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Inoki can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Inoki.
Inoki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Inoki manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Inoki throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Inoki.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Johnson working Inoki over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inoki won't allow Johnson to pass to mount.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Inoki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Johnson stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Johnson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Inoki throws a sloppy head kick

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
Inoki wants to get back to his feet but Johnson passes into half guard.

Johnson decides to return to a standing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inoki throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Inoki.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As Johnson backs off Inoki throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Inoki kicks Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Andy Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Inoki is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Inoki throws a solid leg kick but Johnson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Inoki.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Inoki.
Inoki throws a lazy head kick

and Johnson counters by clinching up.
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 Andy 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!

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Inoki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.

Johnson has Inoki up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson misses with a body punch.

Johnson decides to pull guard.
Inoki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Johnson is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Inoki gets to his feet. Johnson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Inoki throws a front kick aimed at Johnson's knee but Johnson avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Inoki gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.
Inoki is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nice body punch from Johnson.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Inoki throws a low kick but Johnson avoids it.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Inoki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnson jumps guard but Inoki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Inoki.
Johnson throws a chopping leg kick but Inoki manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Inoki thinks about the counter body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inoki throws a head kick that misses.
Inoki swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
As Johnson backs off Inoki throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Antonio Inoki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Inoki throws a sloppy head kick

and Johnson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Johnson jumps into guard, dragging Inoki to the mat.

Johnson has his foot on Inoki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Inoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Inoki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Inoki, pushing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson avoiding damage.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnson pulls Inoki in close to prevent any damage.
Inoki is looking to stand up but Johnson won't let him.
Johnson is controlling Inoki's posture.

That's four 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Inoki misses with a head kick.
Inoki takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.

Inoki gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Antonio Inoki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Johnson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson staying calm.
Andy Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

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