PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Crucifixio Capuccio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brighton Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Capuccio comes to the cage accompanied by Walk. Johnston is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart. Crucifixio Capuccio could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Brighton Johnston's chin.

Capuccio
vs
Johnston

190 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

150 cm
21
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Crucifixio Capuccio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brighton Johnston!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnston scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Capuccio is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Johnston should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Johnston decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Capuccio gets caught flat footed, as Johnston shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnston stands up from Capuccio's guard - Johnston perhaps looking for a knockout.

Capuccio shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Capuccio is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Johnston is surviving well by controlling Capuccio's body position as best he can.
Johnston wants to control but Capuccio is having none of it.

Capuccio is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Johnston has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Johnston is working to get back to half guard.
Johnston manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston wants to control but Capuccio is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Johnston has eaten all the pies!

Johnston makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Capuccio misses with a takedown

and Johnston counters with a shoot takedown. Capuccio fights it but they end up in guard.
Capuccio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Capuccio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Capuccio is breathing heavily.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is working from the bottom.

Capuccio working for a triangle but Johnston defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio is looking for a triangle but Johnston pushes his legs off easily.
Johnston has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Capuccio is proving hard to escape from.
Johnston wants to control from the top but Capuccio keeps moving.
Capuccio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnston is one step ahead there.
Johnston slips nicely into half guard.
Johnston missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnston wants to free his trapped foot but Capuccio is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Johnston is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Capuccio is looking for a sweep. Johnston is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Capuccio misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a single leg into guard. Capuccio didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Johnston stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Johnston decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnston lands a nice short elbow.
Capuccio tries to get to full guard but Johnston has control of the leg.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.

Johnston escapes and gets back to his feet.

Johnston looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnston wants to pass the guard but Capuccio is defending well.
Johnston wants to stand up but Capuccio has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Johnston looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Johnston.

Capuccio looking for submissions off his back.
Johnston is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnston takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Capuccio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Capuccio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Johnston shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Johnston showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnston bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnston controls the position.
Capuccio is trying to get back to half guard.
Capuccio is working hard here to advance position.
Capuccio is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnston connects with a decent elbow.

Johnston decides to stand up, so the ref orders Capuccio to his feet.
Capuccio shoots and misses

and Johnston counters with a single leg into guard. Capuccio didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnston working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Capuccio's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Capuccio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnston manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Johnston is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Johnston tries to stand but Capuccio is controlling from the bottom.
Johnston content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Capuccio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnston controls the pace.
Johnston looking to pass the guard.

Capuccio is looking for a triangle but Johnston pushes his legs off easily.
Johnston looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Capuccio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnston controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnston scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Capuccio is working an open guard so Johnston takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Capuccio misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Johnston wanted to stand there but Capuccio had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnston stands and throws Capuccio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnston controlling the position.

Johnston stands up and beckons Capuccio to his feet.
Capuccio misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Crucifixio Capuccio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Capuccio is looking to reverse the position.
Johnston in side control lands a decent elbow.
Johnston is looking to take a break and control but Capuccio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnston takes a little break here. Capuccio wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnston decides to stand up, so the ref orders Capuccio to his feet.
Johnston looks for a takedown but Capuccio sprawls well.
Capuccio misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.
Johnston drops an elbow to the side of Capuccio's head.
Capuccio won't allow Johnston to pass to mount.
Johnston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Johnston there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnston tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Brighton Johnston has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnston seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Capuccio does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Capuccio shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnston tries to sprawl out of it but Capuccio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnston manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Johnston shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Capuccio has his foot on Johnston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnston works his way back into a safe position though.

Capuccio is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnston is stalling in the full guard.
Johnston stands up over Capuccio, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnston must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Johnston stands up from Capuccio's guard - Johnston perhaps looking for a knockout.

Johnston drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Capuccio working for a triangle but Johnston defends it easily.

Capuccio is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Johnston stands and steps away. Capuccio gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Johnston looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Capuccio!
Capuccio is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnston has a good base and remains in mount.
Johnston controlling the position easily from mount.
Capuccio is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnston is landing with some decent strikes but Capuccio is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Johnston wants to control the pace but Capuccio is squirming around nicely.
Capuccio is looking to get to half guard.
Johnston controlling his opponent.
Capuccio tries to reverse the position but Johnston maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnston prevents Capuccio from getting the reversal.
Johnston controlling from the full mount.
Capuccio is trying to escape the mount.

Johnston with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Capuccio keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Johnston tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Johnston can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Capuccio is looking to escape.

Despite being in the dominant position, Brighton Johnston just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Capuccio with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into side control. Capuccio won't be happy with that.
Capuccio tries to buck Johnston off but Johnston is having none of it.

Johnston stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Capuccio fails with the takedown

and Johnston counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnston.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Crucifixio Capuccio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnston slips nicely into half guard.
Johnston performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston really dominated that round.
That's time! Capuccio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnston scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnston controlling the pace for now.
Capuccio is trying to escape the mount.
Johnston controlling the pace for now.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is having none of it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnston controlling from mount.
Johnston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Capuccio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capuccio bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Capuccio thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnston controls Capuccio momentarily but Capuccio frees himself.

Capuccio is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnston seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Johnston punching from the bottom.

Capuccio thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnston trying to control the position here.

Capuccio thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Johnston drives through with a takedown into guard.

Capuccio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Capuccio has his foot on Johnston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnston works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnston passes Capuccio's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.
Capuccio is in trouble now - Johnston has advanced to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capuccio is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Capuccio taking shots to the head.
Johnston controlling from the full mount.
Johnston trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnston has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Capuccio's face.
Capuccio is looking to improve his position but Johnston isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
Johnston cracks Capuccio with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnston controlling from mount.
Capuccio regains half guard.

Capuccio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnston lands strikes from half guard.

Johnston stands up from half guard.

Johnston shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Johnston was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Capuccio shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into side control. Capuccio won't be happy with that.
Capuccio is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Johnston has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Johnston closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnston lands in his opponent's guard.

Capuccio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnston trying to control the position from guard on top but Capuccio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johnston looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is working from the bottom.

Capuccio working for a triangle but Johnston defends it easily.
Capuccio keeping full guard, as Johnston tries to pass.
Capuccio tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Capuccio looking for a guillotine here but Johnston defends easily.
Johnston wants to pass the guard but Capuccio is keeping the position.
Johnston showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio working for a triangle but Johnston defends it easily.
Johnston throwing strikes from guard but Capuccio blocks nicely.

Capuccio has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johnston can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Johnston gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Johnston looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Johnston tries to stand but Capuccio is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio has his foot on Johnston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnston works his way back into a safe position though.

Capuccio is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnston landing some decent shots from guard.

Capuccio had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Johnston is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Capuccio Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Johnston's back instead.

Johnston fending off the submission attempt from Capuccio.
Johnston rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Johnston is trying is best to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Capuccio is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnston sees it coming and defends easily.
Johnston regains full guard. Nicely done.

Capuccio drops back looking for a leg! Johnston is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnston manages to kick Capuccio off! Capuccio jumps back into Johnston's guard.

Johnston pushes Capuccio off and scrambles back to his feet.
Capuccio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brighton Johnston comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnston has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 45:50
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 45:50
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brighton Johnston!
Brighton Johnston is the new middleweight champion!