PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ron Johnstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Williams comes into the arena with River Below by Billy Talent blaring out of the sound system. Joseph Williams had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Williams
vs
Johnstone

173 cm
18
153 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

169 cm
18
149 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ron Johnstone!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnstone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Williams swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Johnstone rushes Williams and presses him up against the cage.
Johnstone taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Williams manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnstone accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnstone wanted to stand there but Williams had control of the position.
Williams seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Johnstone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Williams swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnstone with a flurry of punches that miss.
Williams managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnstone wants to stand but Williams has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Williams not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Williams looking for a guillotine here but Johnstone defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnstone passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Johnstone is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Johnstone is keen to just control but Williams is a slippery customer.
Williams trying to hold on to Johnstone's head to control him but Johnstone postures up.
Williams is breathing heavily.
Johnstone looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnstone tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone wants to pass the guard but Williams is defending well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnstone throws a head kick that misses.
Johnstone throws a head kick that misses.
Johnstone moves in looking to clinch but Williams pushes him off.
Johnstone thows a body shot but no joy.
Johnstone misses with a looping right.
Johnstone tries to clinch but Williams moves out of range.
Williams lands with a cross.
Johnstone tries to clinch but Williams is having none of it.
Williams scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Williams misses with a jab, cross combination.
Williams tries to bum rush Johnstone with a series of wild strikes but Johnstone uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnstone tries to close the distance and clinch but Williams swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Johnstone closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnstone lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnstone trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnstone is fighting to break Williams's control of his arms but Williams is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnstone with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ron Johnstone will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Johnstone.
Johnstone is looking to clinch.
Johnstone throws a left and a right that both miss
and Williams counters with a series of strikes. Johnstone will be more careful next time no doubt.
Johnstone closes the distance but Williams moves to the side

and Williams counters with a single leg into guard. Johnstone didn't expect that.
Williams trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Williams missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Williams preventing the sweep.
Johnstone trying to keep a closed guard but Williams is proving a slippery customer.
Williams is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Williams won't allow Johnstone to sweep him here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnstone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Williams controlling from the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Williams shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnstone pinned against the cage. Johnstone gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnstone tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnstone takes one on the button.
Williams changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnstone tries to avoid it but Williams manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnstone to the ground. Johnstone escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnstone clinches but Williams breaks the clinch
and Williams counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnstone closes the distance looking to clinch

and Williams counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnstone's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Williams is one step ahead there.
Johnstone keeping full guard, as Williams tries to pass.

Johnstone working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Williams doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Williams manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Johnstone looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Williams avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Williams is controlling him.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnstone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Williams pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnstone is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A right-left combo lands from Johnstone.
Johnstone tries to clinch

and Williams counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Williams wants to control but Johnstone is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone trying to get back to full guard but Williams takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Williams controlling the position easily from mount.

Williams moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Johnstone has worked his arm free - good work by Johnstone!
Johnstone is trying to get back to half guard.

Williams wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Johnstone, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Williams dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnstone tries to clinch up
and Johnstone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Williams shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnstone pinned against the cage. Johnstone gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Williams slips a jab from Johnstone.
Johnstone is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnstone tries to close the distance and clinch but Williams swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams misses with a low kick.
Johnstone throws a lazy body kick
and Williams counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Johnstone throws a lazy body kick
and Williams counters with a one-two to the body.
Johnstone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnstone misses with a kick to the body
and Williams counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Williams scores with a one two! Johnstone had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnstone tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Williams counters with a one-two to the body.

Williams bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Williams working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnstone tries to improve position but can't.
Williams controlling from side mount.
Johnstone gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnstone tries to get to full guard but Williams has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone trying to hold on to Williams's head to control him but Williams postures up.
Johnstone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnstone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Johnstone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Williams content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Williams's guard.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Johnstone from controlling successfully.
Johnstone forces his way into half guard.

Johnstone stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Johnstone throws a leg kick

and Williams counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Williams not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Williams passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams avoids the attempt from Johnstone to control.
Williams looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnstone is looking to get to half guard.
Williams with shots to the head and body - Johnstone looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Williams working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Williams looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Williams showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Williams 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 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Williams!