PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between TJ Johnsson (ranked 5100 p4p, 5107 weight class) and Awer Mabil (ranked 488 p4p, 484 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.

Johnsson
vs
Mabil

160 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, TJ Johnsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Awer Mabil!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnsson has managed to clinch.

Johnsson pulls Mabil into guard.
Johnsson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mabil won't allow Johnsson to get back to his feet.
Johnsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnsson controlling the position.
Johnsson wants to get back to his feet but Mabil is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnsson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Johnsson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnsson is pulling down on Mabil's head. It's preventing any offense from Mabil, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnsson avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnsson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mabil is wriggling around but Johnsson manages to pass to half guard.

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

Johnsson is trying to work for a kimura but Mabil is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnsson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mabil looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnsson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Mabil controls his leg.
Johnsson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnsson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mabil for as long as he can get away with.
Johnsson stalling away here and it's allowed Mabil to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mabil looking to control but Johnsson passes into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mabil tries to kick Johnsson off but Johnsson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mabil has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnsson is working away from the top position though.
Johnsson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Mabil avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnsson.
Mabil wants to control but Johnsson is keeping busy.
Johnsson stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.
Johnsson throws a series of strikes that have Mabil backpedaling.
Mabil tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Johnsson defends well and Mabil ends up having to push Johnsson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Johnsson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mabil tries to circle away but Johnsson has him pinned against the cage.
Johnsson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mabil up against the cage.
Mabil stalling in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mabil drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnsson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnsson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Johnsson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mabil fails to land the takedown.

Johnsson gets a clinch.
Mabil tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnsson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnsson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johnsson stalling the fight.
Mabil fails to pull the fight into his guard.
TJ Johnsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Awer Mabil.
Johnsson looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnsson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Mabil escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnsson gets the takedown into side control.
Mabil is looking to get back to his feet here but Johnsson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mabil's back.
Johnsson has the hooks in. Mabil is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnsson is looking for the choke from the back position but Mabil is controlling his hands well.

Johnsson working for a choke but Mabil is defending well.

Johnsson looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Mabil taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). TJ Johnsson!