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 bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 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 - 2 - 0

150 cm
21
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

St. Paul's Apparel

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 - 2 - 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brighton Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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!
Johnston controlling from the full mount.
I looks like Johnston might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Capuccio is squirming around, avoiding Johnston's attempts to control the action.
Capuccio sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Capuccio is looking for a sweep. Johnston is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnston with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnston trying to control the action but Capuccio is working from the bottom.
Johnston thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnston content to control rather than advance.
Johnston not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Capuccio is trying to get back to full guard.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Capuccio doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Johnston counters with a single leg into guard. Capuccio didn't expect that.
Capuccio being controlled here, momentarily.

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

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 just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Johnston passes Capuccio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnston tries to pass the half guard into mount. Capuccio knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capuccio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnston.
Still in half guard, Johnston seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnston lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnston not doing much here.
Johnston landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnston in particular looking to stall.

Johnston escapes and gets back to his feet.

Johnston darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio looking for submissions off his back.
Capuccio is breathing heavily.
Johnston takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnston controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

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

Capuccio shoots in and bounces Johnston off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnston wants to stand up but Capuccio is controlling him.
Johnston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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 seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Johnston looking for a guillotine here but Capuccio defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Capuccio gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johnston counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Capuccio's guard now.

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 looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnston stands and throws Capuccio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Capuccio gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Johnston controlling his opponent.
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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnston wants to control the pace but Capuccio is squirming around nicely.

Despite being in the dominant position, Brighton Johnston just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Capuccio tries for a takedown but Johnston circles away easily

and Johnston counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Johnston stands and throws Capuccio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Check out the look on Johnston's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Johnston stands up and beckons Capuccio to his feet.

Johnston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Capuccio, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Crucifixio Capuccio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Capuccio goes for a takedown attempt but Johnston pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Johnston shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Johnston lands a big shot there that rocks Capuccio but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnston controlling the position easily from mount.
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 prevents Capuccio from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capuccio is working hard here to advance position.
Johnston controlling the position easily from mount.
Let's hope that Johnston has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Despite being in the dominant position, Brighton Johnston just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Capuccio gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston stalling.
Johnston wants to take a breather but Capuccio is having none of it.
Brighton Johnston has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnston performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Johnston missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnston passes the guard and advances to mount!
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnston.
Capuccio is looking to regain half guard here but Johnston keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnston happy to just control the position for now.
Capuccio sneaks back into half guard.
Johnston looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Capuccio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston wants to pass the guard but Capuccio is defending well.
Johnston not doing much here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Capuccio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.
Johnston looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Nice strikes from Johnston there.
Johnston is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Johnston is keen to just control but Capuccio is a slippery customer.
Johnston content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Capuccio is refusing to be controlled, as Johnston sits in half guard.

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

and Johnston counters with a single leg into guard. Capuccio didn't expect that.
Johnston slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Johnston is pushing down on Capuccio's leg trying to pass to half guard. Capuccio is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnston has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Johnston is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Johnston wants to pass to mount but Capuccio is defending the position.

Capuccio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capuccio is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Johnston there.

Capuccio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnston works his way into full mount!
Johnston looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnston postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Capuccio looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Capuccio is in all sorts of trouble here.
Johnston content just to control the position here.
Johnston prevents Capuccio from getting the reversal.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is having none of it.
Capuccio tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnston looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnston prevents Capuccio from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnston gets a takedown into half guard.
Johnston slows the pace down in half guard.
Johnston lands with a punch from half guard.

Capuccio actively working from the bottom here.
Johnston takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnston is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Capuccio!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnston controlling the pace for now.
Capuccio is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnston controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

and Johnston counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnston.

Johnston decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Johnston scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnston controlling the position easily from mount.
Capuccio is trying to escape the mount.
Johnston controlling from the full mount.
Capuccio is squirming around, avoiding Johnston's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Capuccio is trying to escape the mount.
Johnston controlling the pace for now.
Johnston pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Capuccio regains half guard.

Capuccio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Johnston connects with a nice short shot to Capuccio's temple.
Johnston controlling the action here.
Johnston thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnston moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Capuccio.
Capuccio is looking to regain half guard here but Johnston keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnston controls the position.

Johnston decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Capuccio tries for a takedown but Johnston circles away easily

and Johnston counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnston staying calm.
Johnston landing a few strikes.
Johnston tries to stand but Capuccio is controlling his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston wants to control but Capuccio is keeping him busy.
Capuccio manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Johnston is keen to just control but Capuccio is a slippery customer.

Capuccio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.

Johnston decides to return to a standing position.

Johnston scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnston controlling from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Capuccio is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnston breaks from Capuccio's wrist control and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brighton Johnston dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Capuccio with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Johnston preventing the sweep.
Johnston sitting in guard here, content to control.

Capuccio is looking for a triangle but Johnston pushes his legs off easily.

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

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

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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Johnston gets to his feet - Capuccio follows without any prompting.
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 fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Capuccio sprawls well initially but Johnston persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Capuccio taking some punishment here, with Johnston in his half guard.

Johnston stands up from half guard.

Johnston bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Capuccio tries to improve position but can't.
Johnston trying to control the action but Capuccio is working from the bottom.
Capuccio regains half guard.
Johnston tries to pass to full mount but Capuccio defends it.

Capuccio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capuccio is not content to let Johnston control the position.

Johnston is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Capuccio has managed to free his arm - good work.

Capuccio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.
Johnston is pressing down on Capuccio's thigh, looking to free his foot. Capuccio is holding on for now.
Capuccio wants to improve his position but Johnston is controlling well.
Johnston lands with a punch from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Johnston forces Capuccio back against the cage and clinches.

Johnston lands a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capuccio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnston working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Capuccio's head.
Capuccio keeping moving, preventing Johnston from controlling successfully.
Capuccio wants to sweep here but Johnston controlling him for the moment.
Johnston postures up and lands a big shot to Capuccio's brow.
Johnston throwing strikes from guard but Capuccio blocks nicely.
Johnston is stalling in the full guard.
Johnston tries to free his leg and advance position but Capuccio is retaining full guard.
Johnston trying to control but Capuccio is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Capuccio with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Capuccio working for a triangle but Johnston defends it easily.

Capuccio is looking for a triangle but Johnston pushes his legs off easily.
Johnston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Capuccio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnston working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnston trying to control the position from guard on top but Capuccio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Capuccio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnston gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Capuccio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnston controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 44:50
Judge George Francis scores the fight 44:50
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brighton Johnston! Brighton Johnston retains his middleweight title!