PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tom Araya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and LeBron Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Araya kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Angel of Death. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Araya
vs
Johnson

184 cm
19
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
153 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Hellbent, Inc.

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Araya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, LeBron Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Araya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Araya has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Araya looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A leg kick checked by Araya.
Johnson connects with the punch.
Araya tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Araya avoids the head kick by Johnson.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Araya avoids nicely.
LeBron Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Araya is out of range.
Araya doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Araya takes one to the side of the head.
Araya walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Araya sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Araya has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.

Araya breaks the clinch.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Araya walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Araya is rocked!
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oh Araya is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Araya seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Araya throws a quick inside leg kick.
Johnson looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Araya is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Araya had a free shot at his head there.

Araya instigates a clinch.
Araya wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Araya has control.
Knees in the clinch landing for Araya.
Nice body punch from Araya.

Araya breaks the clinch.
Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Araya gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Araya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Araya.
Araya lands a nice shot that snaps Johnson's head back.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Araya!
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Araya really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Araya doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Araya lands with a thumping leg kick.
Araya tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Araya.

Araya clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Araya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A good leg kick by Araya.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araya moves into the clinch successfully.

Araya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Araya has managed to clinch.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Araya manages to break the clinch.
Araya lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Araya moves away and avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Araya.
Araya doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
A right-left combo lands from Araya.
Araya throws a nice inside leg kick.
Araya lands a head shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Araya. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Araya avoids it well.

Araya closes the distance and clinches.

Araya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araya misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Araya has taken the fight into the clinch.
Araya prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Araya presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araya presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Araya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Araya buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Araya slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Araya lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Araya fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Araya with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Araya closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson takes an elbow to the forehead.

Araya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Araya fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Araya turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Araya has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Araya prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Araya connects with a nasty looking knee right to Johnson's face.

Araya breaks the clinch.
Araya pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Araya moves into the clinch.
Araya scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araya lands with a light punch inside.

Araya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Araya. That one must have hurt.
Araya feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.

Araya has managed to clinch.
A right hand to the body from Araya.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Araya is controlling the position.
Araya crunches a lovely knee into Johnson's ribcage.

Araya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Araya slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Araya avoids nicely.

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

Araya breaks the clinch.
Araya moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson misses with a body shot.

Araya moves into the clinch.
Araya digs a right hand underneath Johnson's ribcage. Johnson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Araya looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Araya wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Araya dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson throws a head kick that misses
and Araya makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice defenses there by Araya.
Araya moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Araya.
Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Johnson connects with a nice looking jab.
Johnson misses the jab.
Araya slips under a jab.
Araya bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Araya blocks a jab.
Araya is looking to clinch.
Johnson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Araya.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Araya avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Araya breaks the clinch.
Tom Araya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Araya throws a nice head kick!

Araya rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Araya fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Araya can pounce on him.

Araya takes the fight into the clinch.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Araya has him pressed against the cage.

Araya breaks the clinch.
Araya uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
A low kick from Johnson is predictable there
and Araya counters with a three punch combo that has Johnson backing up. Johnson nods at Araya to acknowledge the strikes.

Araya moves into the clinch.
Araya lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Araya missing with knees to the body.

Johnson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Johnson manages to end up in side control.
Araya gets back to half guard.
Araya pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Araya keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Araya is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Araya is defending well.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson misses with a hook. Araya ducked under it nicely.
Araya throws a nice outside leg kick.
Araya misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araya avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Araya moves away and avoids it.
The crowd cheers as Araya lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Araya lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
A low kick from Johnson is predictable there

and Araya counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Araya misses with a knee strike.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Araya sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Araya.

Araya clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.

Araya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Araya is out of range.
Araya is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Good leg kick by Araya there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Araya moves out of range easily.

Araya gets a clinch.
Johnson wants to break free but Araya has control.
Araya is working Johnson over against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Araya throws a head kick that half lands.
Johnson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Araya. That one must have hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Araya is looking to clinch.
Araya is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson scores with a jab to the head.
Araya tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.

Araya has managed to clinch.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Araya.
Araya is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a leg kick
and Araya counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Araya keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson motions for Araya to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as Johnson blocks the leg kick.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Araya is looking to clinch.
Johnson throws the left hand but Araya avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Araya dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Araya uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Araya moved out of range.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Araya moves out of range easily.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.

Araya darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Araya has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Araya won't allow it.
Araya tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Araya lands a knee to the body.
Araya lands a body punch.

Araya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araya thumps Johnson with a low kick.
Araya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Araya tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Araya closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Araya keeps him there for the moment.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Araya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Araya closes the distance and clinches.

Araya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Araya slips the punch.
Araya walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Araya lands.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Araya ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Araya getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnson tries to bum rush Araya with a series of wild strikes but Araya uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Araya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Araya lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Araya lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tom Araya has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Araya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Johnson misses.

Araya rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Araya has him pressed against the cage.

Araya breaks the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Araya 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Araya lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tom Araya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LeBron Johnson.
Araya throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Araya has time to react.
Tom Araya is winning the standup battle so far.
Araya looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Araya moves out of range of the strikes.
A good leg kick by Araya.
Johnson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Araya. Araya obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.

Araya gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Araya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araya feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Araya takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Araya moves into the clinch successfully.
A body shot lands from Araya.
Tom Araya is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Araya wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
A left lands for Johnson.
Araya moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Johnson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Araya catches Johnson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a hook but Araya blocks it.
Johnson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Araya counters with a nice uppercut.

Araya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Araya feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Araya lands a nice looking kick to the body. Johnson takes a step back to recover.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Araya's shoulder, as Araya tries to avoid the shot.

Araya drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Araya breaks the clinch.

Araya gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Araya breaks the clinch.
Araya stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.

Araya fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Araya taking a breather.
Araya keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Araya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Araya.
Johnson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Araya counters by clinching up.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Araya prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Araya landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Araya is controlling the position.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Araya is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Araya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araya slips a straight right by Johnson.
A punch combination from Araya misses.
Araya is looking to clinch.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.

Araya clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
LeBron Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Araya lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Araya lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnson or not.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Araya showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Araya, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Araya!