PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hendo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Johannson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hector Johannson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gracie
vs
Johannson

163 cm
24
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
152 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hendo Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hector Johannson!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Alyssa Summers and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie wants to clinch.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Johannson circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie dives in and grabs Johannson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johannson pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Johannson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johannson avoids it really well and circles away.
No joy there for Johannson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johannson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Johannson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Johannson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Some wild striking there from Johannson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Johannson.
Gracie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Johannson misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Johannson.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hector Johannson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johannson.
Hector Johannson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Johannson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Gracie tries to clinch up.

That's two 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.
Johannson misses with a few strikes there.
Johannson misses with a double jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Johannson scores with a four punch combination!
Some wild striking there from Johannson.
Johannson lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johannson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Johannson sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Gracie drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johannson keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johannson is adopting a defensive guard.
Johannson keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johannson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johannson, not yet.
Johannson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Johannson keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Johannson is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johannson misses with a leg kick

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.
Johannson lands a body shot.
Gracie is working for takedown but Johannson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie leaning his opponent against the cage.
Johannson is trying to force a seperation but Gracie has the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short right from Johannson.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johannson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Johannson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Johannson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Johannson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.

Gracie scores with a takedown into Johannson's guard.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Johannson is keeping the position.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is stalling in the full guard.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johannson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Johannson is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Johannson is having none of it.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie not doing much here.
Johannson wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johannson controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johannson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johannson catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Some wild striking there from Johannson.
Johannson throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Johannson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johannson throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four 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.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johannson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hendo Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie tries to clinch but Johannson is having none of it.
Johannson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johannson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johannson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johannson throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A punch combination from Johannson misses.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johannson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johannson looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hendo Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Johannson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Johannson pushes him off.
Johannson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Johannson does no damage.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johannson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johannson misses with a few strikes there.
Johannson throws a head kick that misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Johannson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Johannson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johannson.
Johannson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Johannson throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johannson throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Johannson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johannson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gracie showed some decent athleticism there.
Johannson is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johannson wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johannson is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Johannson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Johannson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Johannson is defending well.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Johannson defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johannson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
Johannson misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Johannson tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johannson misses with a wild combination.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Johannson is avoiding it.
Johannson misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Johannson.
Johannson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie closes the distance looking to clinch
and Johannson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Hector Johannson just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johannson throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johannson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Johannson.
A combination from Johannson does no damage.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice body punch from Johannson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie checks a low kick from Johannson.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johannson defends it nicely.
Johannson misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johannson tried to score with a low kick but Gracie checks it.
Johannson swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
Johannson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johannson swinging wildly here.
Johannson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
No joy there for Johannson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johannson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johannson.
Johannson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Johannson circles away.
Johannson circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Johannson counter with a right hand.
Johannson throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie throws a predictable looking body shot
and Johannson counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie wants to clinch
and Johannson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Johannson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johannson throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Johannson, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Johannson against the cage but Johannson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johannson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johannson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gracie tries to clinch up
and Johannson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johannson 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.
Johannson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie stalling away here and it's allowed Johannson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Johannson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Johannson dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Johannson scores with a nice right hand.
Johannson jabs at Gracie's body.
Johannson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johannson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Johannson.
Gracie takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Johannson misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johannson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johannson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gracie.
Gracie throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Johannson to counter with a crisp jab.
Hector Johannson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Johannson throws a one two combo.
A head kick misses from Johannson.
Johannson swinging wildly here.
Johannson swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
Gracie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johannson counters by clinching up.
Gracie prevents Johannson from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johannson lands with a right to the head.
Johannson wants to break free but Gracie has control.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johannson throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Gracie clinches but Johannson breaks the clinch
and Johannson counters with a left and a right that stings Gracie.
Johannson misses with a few strikes there.
Johannson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Johannson throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Johannson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johannson throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johannson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johannson wants to break free but Gracie has control.
Johannson swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie prevents Johannson from breaking the clinch.

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.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Gracie works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gracie pushing down on Johannson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hector Johannson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie trying to control the action but Johannson is working from the bottom.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johannson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Johannson controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Johannson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johannson 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:49

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