PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Adam Johnson (ranked 1860 p4p, 198 weight class) and Klaus Silverstein (ranked 3150 p4p, 278 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Silverstein

171 cm
19
151 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Adam Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Klaus Silverstein!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silverstein fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silverstein wants to clinch.

Johnson clinches up with Silverstein and pushes him back against the cage.
Silverstein fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silverstein is looking to take this one to the mat.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Johnson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Silverstein is looking for a takedown.
Adam Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Klaus Silverstein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson goes for a takedown attempt but Silverstein pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Silverstein.
Silverstein misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Silverstein fights it but they end up in guard.
Silverstein has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silverstein is keeping the position for now.
Silverstein seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Johnson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Silverstein manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Johnson has Silverstein in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Johnson working for a triangle but Silverstein defends it easily.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silverstein defends well.
My spies in Rio Fight Academy inform me that Silverstein has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silverstein sitting in guard here, content to control.
Silverstein's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Silverstein got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Silverstein has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Silverstein showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Silverstein wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silverstein can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Silverstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Silverstein is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson rushes Silverstein and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson has been working on his balance at Shut Up & Train! {$950}, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Silverstein.

Johnson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Silverstein is trying to keep an underhook but Johnson manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Johnson prevents Silverstein from improving his position.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Silverstein defends the submission attempt.
Silverstein is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is pressing down on Silverstein's thigh, looking to free his foot. Silverstein is holding on for now.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Silverstein defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson passes to side control.

Johnson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Silverstein rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Johnson's guard! Nice work there by Silverstein!
Silverstein controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Silverstein is one step ahead there.

Johnson is working an open guard so Silverstein takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Silverstein gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants a takedown.
Johnson is looking for a takedown.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Silverstein after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silverstein wants a takedown.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Silverstein avoids them all with ease.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Silverstein looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silverstein is trying to improve his position.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silverstein has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silverstein is holding Johnson down, trying to stall.
Silverstein is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Silverstein is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Johnson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Silverstein trying to control but Johnson postures up.

Johnson seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Silverstein has recovered full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Silverstein is proving hard to escape from.

Johnson has gone for a leg lock! Silverstein slips out almost immediately though and dives into Johnson's guard.

Silverstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silverstein controlling from the top position.
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 Adam Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Silverstein avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Johnson looking for a takedown.

Johnson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Silverstein is trying to keep an underhook but Johnson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Silverstein is defending it quite comfortably.

Silverstein looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Silverstein.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Silverstein is defending well.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.

Johnson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silverstein sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silverstein trying to control but Johnson postures up.
Silverstein keeping control of the position.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Silverstein defends the submission attempt.

Johnson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silverstein sees it coming and defends easily.
Silverstein trying to control from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Silverstein is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Johnson is thwarting Silverstein's attempts to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nice sprawl there from Silverstein as Johnson shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silverstein tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Silverstein is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
The crowd cheers as Silverstein lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Silverstein moves away and avoids it.
Silverstein takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Silverstein tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Silverstein throws a body shot but no joy.
Silverstein tries to clinch up.
Klaus Silverstein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silverstein scores with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adam 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Johnson!
Adam Johnson thanked the fans post fight for their support.