PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julian Rivera (ranked 2858 p4p, 2650 weight class) and Uestus Johnston (ranked 347 p4p, 322 weight class). Johnston comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Clint Eastwood- Gorillaz kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Julian Rivera is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Rivera
vs
Johnston

188 cm
27
170
5 - 3 - 0

180 cm
24
157
11 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Julian Rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Uestus Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnston tries to bum rush Rivera with a series of wild strikes but Rivera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnston lands a jab.
Johnston lands with a nice body punch.
Rivera takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnston throws a right and a left that Rivera avoids nicely.
We've been hearing reports that Rivera has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivera takes one to the side of the head.
Nice shot by Johnston.
Johnston ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston tests Rivera's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Johnston listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rivera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnston swivels and escapes.
Johnston throws an overhand right that lands on Rivera's shoulder, as Rivera tries to avoid the shot.
Johnston wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rivera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rivera takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Decent striking displayed by Johnston there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice uppercut there from Johnston.
Johnston lands an overhand right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnston scores with a jab to the jaw.
Johnston lands with a nice combination. Rivera backs away looking to recover.
Johnston's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rivera under the eye.
Rivera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnston lands with a shot to the body.
Rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julian Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Johnston connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnston with a nice cross.
Johnston jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Johnston misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnston lands the left hand.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown but Johnston shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston with a jab.
Johnston bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rivera's head.
Rivera is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnston.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnston has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Rivera is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Johnston scores with a jab to the jaw.
Johnston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivera circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnston might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rivera is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The crowd cheers as Johnston lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rivera doesn't seem phased though.
Johnston's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rivera under the eye.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Uestus Johnston dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnston cracks Rivera with a right hand to the side of the head.
Johnston swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnston lands an overhand right.
Rivera walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Johnston, as that shot connected.
Johnston scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Johnston swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Johnston both land. Nice combination.
Uestus Johnston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnston scores with a hook to the body. Rivera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Uestus Johnston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Decent striking displayed by Johnston there.
Rivera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnston counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Uestus Johnston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Johnston.
Johnston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rivera.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julian Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch lands to the side of Rivera 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnston with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Johnston cracks Rivera with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rivera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Johnston tests Rivera's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Rivera. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnston tries to avoid it but Rivera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnston to the ground. Johnston escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnston works over Rivera's head and body with a nice combination.
Johnston scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rivera doesn't seem bothered though.
Uestus Johnston seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnston throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Johnston fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rivera feinted with a counter takedown.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnston!
Johnston ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Johnston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnston works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivera with a poor takedown
and Johnston counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnston misses with a few strikes there.
Johnston digs a good hook to Rivera's body.
Johnston scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rivera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rivera changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rivera shoots and misses
and Johnston counters with a right hand to the body.
Johnston lands a slapping body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Uestus Johnston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A shot to the liver by Johnston. Beautiful body shot.
Johnston punishes Rivera's body with a nice straight punch.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Rivera might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Rivera walks into a stiff left hand from Johnston.
Rivera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnston counters with a nice body shot.
A left lands for Johnston.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnston fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnston lands with a nice body punch.
Johnston uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rivera has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera fails with the takedown
and Johnston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rivera is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnston throws a combination. Rivera tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnston throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rivera fails with the takedown
and Johnston counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julian Rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnston slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston throws a series of strikes that have Rivera backpedaling.
Johnston scores with a hook to the body. Rivera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rivera looking to score a takedown here. Johnston is defending well but Rivera drives through and ends up in Johnston's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Rivera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnston controlling Rivera's posture.
Johnston wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnston is pulling down on Rivera's head to control his posture.

Rivera 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston has Rivera pulled in close to control his posture.

Rivera 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.
Rivera tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnston is retaining full guard.

Rivera drops back looking for a leg! Johnston is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnston manages to kick Rivera off! Rivera jumps back into Johnston's guard.
Johnston controlling the position.
Johnston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnston tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rivera drops back looking for a leg! Johnston is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnston manages to kick Rivera off! Rivera jumps back into Johnston's guard.

Rivera drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rivera jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnston controlling the position.
Johnston tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rivera drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rivera jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Rivera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnston pulls Rivera in to control the position.
Julian Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnston is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

And that's the end of the fight!
Uestus Johnston comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnston winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 25:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Uestus Johnston!