PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Cunningham (ranked 4395 p4p, 4423 weight class) and Johnathan Johnathan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Cunningham
vs
Johnathan

200 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Cunningham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnathan Johnathan!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnathan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnathan throws a right and a left that Cunningham avoids nicely.
Johnathan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cunningham's waist but Cunningham gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnathan off to one side.
Johnathan looks for a takedown but Cunningham sprawls well.
John Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnathan Johnathan.
Cunningham stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cunningham is defended easily by Johnathan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnathan moves in looking to clinch but Cunningham pushes him off.
Johnathan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cunningham throws a front kick aimed at Johnathan's knee but Johnathan avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnathan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cunningham is fending him off so far but Johnathan persists. Nope, Cunningham circles away and we're back to standing.
Cunningham went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cunningham shoots in for a double leg but Johnathan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cunningham does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
And Johnathan tries to counter it with a takedown but Cunningham pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cunningham really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johnathan is looking to clinch but Cunningham is avoiding it.
Johnathan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cunningham but Cunningham pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cunningham goes for a double leg but Johnathan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnathan continues to drive forward.
Johnathan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnathan tries to stall but Cunningham uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Cunningham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnathan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cunningham pinned against the cage. Cunningham gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cunningham is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Johnathan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnathan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cunningham keeps control of Johnathan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnathan gets underhooks to prevent Cunningham's takedown attempt.

Cunningham escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cunningham fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cunningham keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnathan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cunningham circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham moves in looking to clinch but Johnathan pushes him off.

Cunningham gets tackled into the cage by Johnathan. Johnathan maintains the clinch.

Johnathan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cunningham throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Johnathan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnathan tries for a takedown but Cunningham manages to get underhooks.
Cunningham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnathan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cunningham is trying to drag Johnathan to the mat but Johnathan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnathan is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnathan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cunningham is trying to break the clinch but Johnathan is controlling him.
Johnathan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnathan is struggling to control the position.
Cunningham is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnathan is defending well for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cunningham has Johnathan pressed against the cage, preventing Johnathan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cunningham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnathan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cunningham wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnathan won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnathan Johnathan will probably get the nod.
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.

Johnathan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnathan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cunningham's waist but Cunningham gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnathan off to one side.
Johnathan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Cunningham connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johnathan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cunningham is fending him off so far but Johnathan persists. Nope, Cunningham circles away and we're back to standing.
John Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnathan Johnathan.
Cunningham lands a two punch combo.
Johnathan throws a combination that misses
and Cunningham counters with a one-two to the body.
Johnathan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cunningham manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A little feinted left hand from Cunningham on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cunningham has a takedown stuffed.
A countering left hand to the body from Johnathan misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnathan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cunningham's waist but Cunningham gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnathan off to one side.
Johnathan is breathing heavily.
Cunningham looks to land a combination. Johnathan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnathan moves into range and clinches up with Cunningham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham stops a takedown attempt from Johnathan.

Cunningham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cunningham shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnathan sprawls well. He's pushed Cunningham's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cunningham sets himself, and Johnathan steps forward looking for the clinch! Cunningham avoids it this time.
Johnathan fails to land the takedown.

Cunningham drives through and clinches with Johnathan against the cage.
Johnathan is trying to drag Cunningham to the mat but Cunningham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A hook to the body from Cunningham.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cunningham breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cunningham throws a leg kick but Johnathan checks it.
Cunningham throws a nice looking combination but Johnathan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnathan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cunningham throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cunningham is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnathan can do to turn this around?
Johnathan doesn't manage to clinch there - Cunningham circles away.
Cunningham misses with a double jab.
Cunningham throws a low kick but Johnathan avoids it.
Cunningham throws a series of punches but Johnathan moves out of range.
Johnathan Johnathan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnathan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnathan tries to close the distance and clinch but Cunningham swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cunningham scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cunningham fails with the takedown.
Johnathan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnathan fails with a takedown attempt.
Cunningham is looking for a counter combo.
Nice takedown defense from Cunningham. No joy for Johnathan on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Cunningham. No joy for Johnathan on that attempt.
Cunningham went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cunningham shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnathan tries to sprawl out of it but Cunningham keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnathan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnathan wants to clinch.
Cunningham has a takedown stuffed.
Johnathan throws the kick towards the body but Cunningham avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Cunningham dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cunningham throws a front kick aimed at Johnathan's knee but Johnathan avoids it well.
Johnathan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
John Cunningham is winning the standup battle so far.
Cunningham tries a low kick but Johnathan avoids it.
Cunningham misses with a wild combination.
Johnathan throws a head kick but Cunningham moves out of range.
Johnathan doesn't manage to clinch there - Cunningham circles away.
Cunningham feinted with a counter takedown.
Johnathan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cunningham manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cunningham goes for a double leg but Johnathan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnathan continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnathan breaks from the clinch.

Johnathan moves into range and clinches up with Cunningham.
Johnathan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cunningham.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Johnathan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cunningham looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnathan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnathan misses with a head kick.
Cunningham tries to counter by clinching up but Johnathan breaks away and moves out of range.
Cunningham lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A punch combination from Cunningham misses.
Cunningham tries to clinch but Johnathan is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham dodges the punch combination from Johnathan.
Cunningham misses with a looping right.
Johnathan shoots in for a takedown but Cunningham shows good takedown defense.
Cunningham circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnathan closes the distance and clinches up with Cunningham, looking for a takedown. Johnathan pushes Cunningham against the cage but Cunningham circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnathan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnathan slaps away a takedown attempt from Cunningham, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Cunningham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnathan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Cunningham was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sloppy strikes from Cunningham. Those never looked like landing.
Johnathan with the counter takedown but Cunningham avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnathan fails with the takedown.
Johnathan shoots in and drives through. Cunningham sprawls well.
Cunningham throws a series of punches but Johnathan avoids them all with ease.
Nice takedown defense from Cunningham. No joy for Johnathan on that attempt.

Cunningham closes the distance and clinches.

Johnathan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cunningham shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnathan as he avoids it easily.
Johnathan unleashes a big counter combination but Cunningham bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Johnathan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnathan tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnathan closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cunningham counters with a three punch combo that has Johnathan backing up. Johnathan nods at Cunningham to acknowledge the strikes.
Cunningham throws a right and a left that Johnathan avoids nicely.
Cunningham lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnathan circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnathan fails with a takedown attempt.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Cunningham gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cunningham tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnathan avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Cunningham showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cunningham has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Cunningham!