PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Katana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Vaulen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Katana comes to the cage accompanied by Baby got back. Vaulen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I Love Norwegian Country kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! James Katana has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Katana
vs
Vaulen

160 cm
22
161 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

180 cm
26
165 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, James Katana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Johannes Vaulen!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaulen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vaulen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Katana blocks a jab.
A swing and a miss from Katana.
Vaulen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A combination from Vaulen does no damage.
Vaulen misses with an uppercut.
Vaulen lands with an overhand left.
Vaulen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vaulen blocks a jab.
Vaulen throws a series of strikes that have Katana backpedaling.
Vaulen throws a hook but Katana blocks it.
Vaulen throws a jab but it's blocked by Katana.
Vaulen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Katana ducks under a wild hook from Vaulen.
A big right from Vaulen misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaulen lands with a nice body punch.
Vaulen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like James Katana has been cut.
Vaulen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vaulen throws a looping overhand right but Katana ducks down to avoid it.
Katana defending well as Vaulen loads up on a big left hand.
Vaulen moves out of range as Katana strikes.
Katana uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vaulen.
Vaulen misses the jab.
Vaulen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vaulen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Vaulen works over Katana's head and body with a nice combination.
Katana moves out of range as Vaulen throws a body kick.
Katana slips under a jab.
Vaulen misses the jab.
Vaulen cracks Katana with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Vaulen as Katana shoots in.
Vaulen misses with a wild body shot.
Katana keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vaulen.
Katana slips a jab and a cross from Vaulen.
Vaulen lands with a nice body punch.
Vaulen throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Vaulen finds it's way through Katana's defenses.
Vaulen digs a good hook to Katana's body.
Vaulen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vaulen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vaulen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katana.
Vaulen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Katana momentarily.
Vaulen tries to bum rush Katana with a series of wild strikes but Katana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Katana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen throws a right and a left that Katana avoids nicely.
Katana is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vaulen.
Vaulen lands the left hand.
Johannes Vaulen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vaulen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Vaulen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vaulen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vaulen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vaulen.
Vaulen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Katana ducks under a wild hook from Vaulen.
Katana lands a really nice looking cross but Vaulen seems unphased.
Vaulen throws a series of punches but Katana moves out of range.
A big left from Katana misses.
Vaulen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katana.
Vaulen misses with an uppercut.
Katana is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Vaulen's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Katana crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Vaulen - the referee stops the clock and Katana gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Vaulen. Katana manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Katana steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vaulen. That one must have hurt.
Vaulen throws a body punch but Katana moves out of range.
Katana lands a jab to the head.
Vaulen throws a jab but it's blocked by Katana.
Vaulen lands a lovely overhand right.
Katana takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vaulen connects with a body shot.
Vaulen misses with a straight left.
Katana misses with a hook to the body
and Vaulen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vaulen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vaulen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Katana.
Vaulen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Katana misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vaulen misses with a double jab
and Katana connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Vaulen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Katana's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vaulen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vaulen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Vaulen loads up on a big right hand but Katana slips the punch.
Katana moves out of range of the body kick from Vaulen.
Vaulen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Katana moves away.
Vaulen moves away from the strike by Katana.
Vaulen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A jab from Vaulen misses.
Vaulen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Katana throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vaulen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Katana showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vaulen.
Vaulen throws a hook but Katana avoids it easily.
Vaulen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katana looks to land a left hand but Vaulen moved out of range nicely.
Johannes Vaulen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vaulen throws a head kick but Katana moves out of range.
Vaulen throws a good cross that connects.
Vaulen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Katana.
Vaulen misses with an uppercut. Katana saw that one coming.
Katana blocks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Katana throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vaulen misses with an uppercut.
Vaulen scoring well with a low kick there.
Vaulen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Good exchange - Vaulen coming out on top.
Vaulen throws a jab when Katana was well out of range.
Vaulen misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Vaulen misses.
Vaulen misses the jab.
Vaulen swinging wildly here.
Vaulen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vaulen.

James Katana's cut is getting worse.
Vaulen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Vaulen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johannes Vaulen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vaulen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Vaulen.
Vaulen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The fighters circling - Vaulen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vaulen lands a body shot.
Vaulen works over Katana's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice defenses there by Katana.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen throws out a leg kick but Katana moves out of range and Vaulen only half commits.
Vaulen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Vaulen misses with a takedown
and Katana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vaulen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vaulen loads up on a big right hand but Katana slips the punch.
Katana looks to land a left hand but Vaulen moved out of range nicely.
Vaulen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vaulen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Katana looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Vaulen scores with a one two! Katana had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Vaulen misses with a few strikes there.
Vaulen connects with a nice looking jab.
Vaulen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Vaulen throws a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Katana.
Vaulen is working the combinations to good effect here.

Katana bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vaulen is trying to control Katana's posture but Katana avoids it.
Katana wants to control for a moment but Vaulen uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Vaulen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Katana's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vaulen throws a jab but it's blocked by Katana.
Vaulen misses with a double jab.
Vaulen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vaulen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Katana counters with a stiff right hand.
Vaulen looks to score with a jab to the body but Katana is just out of range.
Katana is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Vaulen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Katana in his tracks.
Vaulen slips under a jab.
Vaulen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Katana throws a hook but Vaulen avoids it easily.
Katana throws a lazy right hand but Vaulen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Katana slips a straight right by Vaulen.
A jab from Katana misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaulen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vaulen throws a hook but Katana avoids it easily.
Vaulen misses with an uppercut. Katana saw that one coming.
Vaulen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vaulen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Vaulen.
Vaulen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vaulen tests Katana's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Katana slips under a jab from Vaulen.
Nice cross by Vaulen.
Vaulen looks to throw the jab but Katana is out of range.
Vaulen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Katana has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Katana there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen misses with a hook. Katana ducked under it nicely.
Vaulen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vaulen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Katana counters with a stiff right hand.
Katana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vaulen throws out the jab.
Vaulen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vaulen misses with a straight right.
Katana shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vaulen defends it nicely.
Vaulen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katana was well out of range. Poor timing from Vaulen.
Vaulen connects with a looping right hand.
A big left from Vaulen misses.
Katana ducks under a wild hook from Vaulen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Katana avoids the body shot from Vaulen.
Katana takes one to the side of the head.
Katana avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vaulen scores with a body shot.
Vaulen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Katana takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Katana throws a jab but it's blocked by Vaulen.
Katana jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vaulen misses with a double jab.
Vaulen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vaulen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vaulen looks to land a left hand but Katana moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Katana feints and as Vaulen raises his hands in defense, Katana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vaulen has a closed guard, preventing Katana from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vaulen is on top in guard.
Vaulen trying to control the position from guard on top but Katana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vaulen stops Katana from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Vaulen really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Katana's cut.
That's time! Katana's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Katana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vaulen.
Katana moves out of range of the strikes.
Vaulen punishes Katana's body with a nice straight punch.
Katana throws a jab when Vaulen was well out of range.
Katana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vaulen throws out the jab.
Katana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vaulen.
Vaulen moves out of range of the strikes.
Vaulen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Katana.
Katana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vaulen misses with a double jab

and Katana counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vaulen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Katana might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vaulen managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vaulen has his feet on Katana's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A jab from Katana misses.

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.
Vaulen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Katana counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vaulen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Katana got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vaulen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Katana has managed to get both his arms back between Vaulen's legs - danger averted.
Vaulen has a closed guard, preventing Katana from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen looking for a sweep. Not yet Vaulen, not yet.
Vaulen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Katana wants to control from the top but Vaulen keeps moving.
Katana tries to stand but Vaulen is controlling from the bottom.
Vaulen striking off his back but it's not causing Katana any problems.
Vaulen throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Katana had his way with Johannes Vaulen in that round.
The cut man is working on James Katana's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Katana slips a straight right by Vaulen.
No joy there for Vaulen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vaulen throws a jab when Katana was well out of range.
Vaulen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Vaulen throws a looping overhand right but Katana ducks down to avoid it.
Katana uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vaulen.
Vaulen misses with a straight right.
Vaulen misses with a looping right.
Vaulen looks to throw the jab but Katana is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katana takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Katana slips under a jab.
Katana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vaulen.
Vaulen throws a series of punches but Katana avoids them all with ease.
Katana uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vaulen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaulen moves out of range of the strikes.
Vaulen misses with a hook.
Vaulen throws an overhand right that lands on Katana's shoulder, as Katana tries to avoid the shot.
Katana avoids the body shot from Vaulen.
Vaulen slips under a jab from Katana.
Vaulen looks to throw the jab but Katana is out of range.
Vaulen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Katana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vaulen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vaulen scores with a three punch combo!
Katana throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vaulen.
Danga de danga de dang - Vaulen scores with a four punch combination!
Vaulen clobbers Katana with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Katana throws out the jab.
Vaulen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Katana on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Katana ducks under a wild hook from Vaulen.
Vaulen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vaulen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Katana.
Katana blocks a jab.
Katana staying out of range there.
Vaulen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katana was well out of range. Poor timing from Vaulen.
Katana looks to land a right hand but Vaulen moved out of range.
Vaulen misses with a looping left.
Katana looks to land a right hand but Vaulen moved out of range.
Vaulen lands a jab to Katana's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaulen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Katana.
A cross from Vaulen lands.
Vaulen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Katana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vaulen throws a head kick but Katana moves out of range.
Katana loads up on a big right hand but Vaulen slips the punch.
Vaulen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Katana.
Katana slips a jab from Vaulen.
Vaulen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katana was well out of range. Poor timing from Vaulen.
Vaulen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Katana throws a right hand that Vaulen ducks under and follows up with a left that Vaulen also avoids with ease.
Vaulen misses with a wild combination.
Vaulen looks to score with a jab to the body but Katana is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Katana defending well as Vaulen loads up on a big left hand.
Katana blocks a jab.
Vaulen looks to land a right hand but Katana moved out of range.
Katana takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Vaulen throws a body punch but Katana moves out of range.
Katana uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vaulen.
Vaulen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katana manages to avoid it.
Katana ducks under a wild hook from Vaulen.
Katana throws a lazy right hand but Vaulen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vaulen lands a slapping body shot.
James Katana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johannes Vaulen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Katana slips under a jab.
Katana throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johannes Vaulen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vaulen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 45:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 45:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johannes Vaulen!
Johannes Vaulen is the new lightweight champion!