PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Masakazu Imanari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Johnstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Imanari might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to I BRING YOU DOWN!. Johnstone has chosen Living is a Problem as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Imanari
vs
Johnstone

176 cm
24
165 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
157 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

[MMABR]:Klinch
[MMABR] SOLID Nutritional - Tokyo's Best!!

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 Tokyo, Masakazu Imanari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Johnstone!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imanari misses with a two punch combination.
Imanari just misses with a punch to the body.
Imanari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Imanari tries to bum rush Johnstone with a series of wild strikes but Johnstone uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Imanari misses the jab.
Imanari throws a right and a left that both miss.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Imanari.

It looks like Jimmy Johnstone has been cut.
Imanari throws a right and a left that Johnstone avoids nicely.
Imanari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnstone manages to avoid it.
Imanari showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnstone.
A jab from Imanari does it's job there.
Johnstone staying out of range there.
Imanari thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Imanari.
Johnstone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Imanari throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Johnstone to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imanari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnstone counters with a thumping low kick.

Johnstone rushes Imanari and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Johnstone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnstone throws a head kick but Imanari moves out of range.
Imanari takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Imanari throws a combination that misses
and Johnstone counters with a left and a right that stings Imanari.

Johnstone moves into the clinch.

Johnstone breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Imanari tries to land a leg kick but Johnstone saw it coming and moves away.
Imanari throws a left and a right that both miss
and Johnstone counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Johnstone drives through and clinches with Imanari against the ropes.
Imanari is trying to drag Johnstone to the mat but Johnstone just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Imanari wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Imanari can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnstone breaks from the clinch.
Imanari looks to throw the jab but Johnstone is out of range.
Masakazu Imanari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Johnstone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Masakazu Imanari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Imanari takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Imanari is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnstone.
Johnstone looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Johnstone avoids the body shot from Imanari.
Imanari misses with a combination
and Johnstone counters with a series of strikes. Imanari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnstone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Imanari.
Johnstone shoots in and drives through. Imanari sprawls well.
No joy there for Johnstone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Imanari misses with a double jab
and Johnstone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imanari swings away with a body shot that misses
and Johnstone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Imanari misses with a looping left.
Imanari misses with a double jab
and Johnstone counters with a stiff right hand.
Imanari misses with a hook to the body
and Johnstone counters with a two punch combo.

Imanari is rocked!
Imanari misses with a jab to the body
and Johnstone makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Imanari goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Imanari is breathing heavily.
Johnstone with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Imanari leaves Johnstone with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Imanari takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No joy there for Johnstone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari misses with a combination
and Johnstone counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnstone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnstone.
Masakazu Imanari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Johnstone.
Imanari misses with a jab to the body
and Johnstone makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnstone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Imanari throws out the jab.
Johnstone swinging wilding here.
Johnstone connects with a solid leg kick.
Imanari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnstone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnstone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnstone uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Imanari.
Imanari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Johnstone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Johnstone's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnstone fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Imanari is out of range.
Imanari misses with a combination
and Johnstone counters with a left and a right that stings Imanari.
Imanari misses with a body shot.
Imanari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnstone.
Johnstone fails to land with a series of punches.
Imanari misses with a double jab
and Johnstone counters with an inside leg kick.
A cross from Imanari lands.
Imanari looks to land a left hand but Johnstone moved out of range nicely.
Imanari takes a swing at Johnstone's ribcage but misses.
Johnstone lands with a kick to the temple. Imanari shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Imanari misses with a combination

and Johnstone decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Imanari's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnstone stopping the sweep attempt from Imanari.
Johnstone would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Johnstone trying to control the position from guard on top but Imanari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Imanari wants to sweep but no luck.
Imanari is looking to stand up but Johnstone isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnstone stopping the sweep attempt from Imanari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnstone wants to stand but Imanari is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Imanari falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnstone counters with a nice leg kick.
Imanari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Johnstone counter with a right hand.
Johnstone shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Imanari defends it nicely.

Johnstone forces Imanari back against the ropes and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imanari can't break the clinch.

Imanari breaks from the clinch.
The fighters circling - Imanari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnstone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jimmy Johnstone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Imanari misses with a combination
and Johnstone counters with a left and a right that stings Imanari.
Johnstone tries to move into range but Imanari moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Johnstone moves in looking to clinch but Imanari pushes him off.
Imanari misses with a jab to the body
and Johnstone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnstone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Johnstone shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Johnstone was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Imanari is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari wants to get back to his feet.
Imanari is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnstone tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Imanari is squirming around, avoiding Johnstone's attempts to control the action.
Imanari tries to hold on but Johnstone pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Johnstone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Johnstone's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Imanari falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnstone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Imanari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnstone counters with a nice uppercut.
Imanari throws a left and a right that both miss

and Johnstone counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Imanari trying to keep a closed guard but Johnstone is proving a slippery customer.
Imanari wants to get back to his feet but Johnstone is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Imanari throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnstone is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imanari is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Johnstone dives into side control.

Johnstone stands up and beckons Imanari to his feet.
Imanari takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Johnstone decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Johnstone there.
Imanari is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Imanari tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Imanari trying to hold on to Johnstone's head to control him but Johnstone postures up.
Johnstone seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Imanari does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Johnstone decides to return to a standing position.
Imanari misses with a hook. Johnstone ducked under it nicely.
Imanari throws a combination that misses
and Johnstone counters with a left to the body.
Masakazu Imanari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imanari throws a left and a right that both miss
and Johnstone counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Imanari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Imanari throws out a loose jab but Johnstone uses good head movement to avoid it.
Imanari misses with a few strikes there.
Masakazu Imanari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnstone slips a straight right by Imanari.
Imanari jabs at Johnstone's body.
Imanari throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Johnstone counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Johnstone shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Imanari is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Imanari looking for submissions off his back.
Jimmy Johnstone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Imanari tries to kick Johnstone off but Johnstone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Imanari looking for submissions off his back.

Johnstone gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy Johnstone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnstone 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Johnstone!