PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Cubbedge (ranked 4298 p4p, 3553 weight class) and Jeff Johnson (ranked 518 p4p, 445 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Cubbedge
vs
Johnson

190 cm
35
199
17 - 19 - 0

183 cm
35
190
16 - 18 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Cubbedge !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeff Johnson!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cubbedge shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson feints a counter leg kick.
Cubbedge misses with a body shot
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cubbedge misses with an uppercut
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Cubbedge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cubbedge tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Johnson manages to circle out of the way.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson throws an off balance right hand
and Cubbedge counters with a nice body shot.
Johnson lands a really nice looking cross but Cubbedge seems unphased.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Cubbedge , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Cubbedge throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Cubbedge counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cubbedge throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Cubbedge isn't so interested in that idea.
Cubbedge sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Johnson's guard.
Johnson tries to kick Cubbedge off but Cubbedge keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cubbedge seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Cubbedge is controlling him
We've been hearing that Cubbedge has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Cubbedge is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cubbedge .
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Cubbedge sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cubbedge sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
Johnson pushes Cubbedge off looking to stand but Cubbedge dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Good standup being displayed there by Cubbedge as he connects with a hook.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Cubbedge moves out of range.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Cubbedge uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Cubbedge is looking to counter punch.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Cubbedge with a nice cross.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Cubbedge shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Cubbedge drags him back down.
Cubbedge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

Cubbedge tries for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.

Cubbedge is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson pushes Cubbedge away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Cubbedge gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Cubbedge landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Cubbedge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Cubbedge sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Johnson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

Cubbedge tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Cubbedge drags him back down.
Johnson is not content to let Cubbedge control the position.
Johnson has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Cubbedge prevents Johnson from escaping the position.

Cubbedge is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cubbedge controls the position.
Johnson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson lunges at Cubbedge with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cubbedge 's hand.
Cubbedge looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cubbedge .
Johnson lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Billy Cubbedge has been cut.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cubbedge makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cubbedge takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Jeff Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Cubbedge .
Johnson staying out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Cubbedge counters with a two punch combo.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Johnson throws the left hand but Cubbedge avoids the punch easily.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cubbedge tried to counter with a leg kick but Johnson avoided it.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cubbedge counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Cubbedge loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Cubbedge moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cubbedge listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cubbedge throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cubbedge misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Cubbedge scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lazy body kick from Johnson
and Cubbedge counters with a nice body shot.
Good shot there by Cubbedge .
Jeff Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson jabs Cubbedge right on the nose. Cubbedge blinks but takes it well.
Cubbedge ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Johnson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cubbedge takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson throws the left hand but Cubbedge avoids the punch easily.
Cubbedge throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Cubbedge counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Cubbedge moves out of range easily.
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.
Good shot there by Johnson.
Cubbedge is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson walks into a jab.
Cubbedge misses with an uppercut
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
Jeff Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cubbedge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cubbedge throws out the jab.
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
and Cubbedge counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cubbedge uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Cubbedge ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice cross by Cubbedge .
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Cubbedge misses with a double jab.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Cubbedge sees coming a mile off.
Cubbedge works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Johnson throws a lazy head kick
and Cubbedge counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Cubbedge misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson looks for the body kick but Cubbedge saw that one coming.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Billy Cubbedge will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Billy Cubbedge 's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cubbedge lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson misses with a looping right.

Cubbedge closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson avoiding damage as Cubbedge throws knees to the body.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cubbedge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cubbedge keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Cubbedge tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cubbedge has Johnson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cubbedge pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Johnson tumbling to the mat - Cubbedge dives into Johnson's guard.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Cubbedge is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cubbedge trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson is wriggling around but Cubbedge manages to pass to half guard.
Cubbedge stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Cubbedge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

Cubbedge seems to be looking for submissions.
Cubbedge not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson tries to kick Cubbedge off but Cubbedge keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Cubbedge wants to work for an arm triangle but Johnson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Billy Cubbedge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Cubbedge wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Cubbedge is controlling him well.
Cubbedge content to control rather than advance.
Johnson is looking to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Cubbedge has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Cubbedge lands a right hand.
Cubbedge misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cubbedge is working Johnson over against the cage.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Cubbedge has the dominant position.
Cubbedge has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A shot in the inside from Cubbedge .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge has Johnson pushed against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cubbedge goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy Cubbedge . That's going to take a lot out of him.
A clash of legs there as Cubbedge blocks the low kick.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
It looked like Cubbedge wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A lazy body kick from Johnson
and Cubbedge counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cubbedge slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a combination

and Cubbedge counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cubbedge tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson gets underhooks to prevent Cubbedge 's takedown attempt.
Cubbedge tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cubbedge has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A left hand lands to the body for Cubbedge .
Cubbedge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cubbedge lands a shot to the body.
Cubbedge tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Cubbedge misses with a body shot
and Johnson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cubbedge thinking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson tries to bum rush Cubbedge with a series of wild strikes but Cubbedge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Jeff Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cubbedge on the side of the head.

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

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Cubbedge !