PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Reinaldson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reinaldson comes to the cage accompanied by Evenflow- Pearljam. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Reinaldson
vs
Johnson

178 cm
20
192 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
24
185 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matthew Reinaldson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Dean Styles and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johnson there as he acknowledges the shot.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Reinaldson quickly recovers to half guard.
Reinaldson tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Johnson throws a strike but Reinaldson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Reinaldson has wrist control.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Reinaldson wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Reinaldson's head.

Johnson stands up from Reinaldson's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A telegraphed right hand from Reinaldson misses the target.
Reinaldson misses with a double jab

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Reinaldson connects with a crisp jab.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Reinaldson.
Reinaldson tries to clinch but Johnson moves away

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Reinaldson wants to stand back up but Johnson manages to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Reinaldson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Johnson landing a few strikes.

Johnson is working to tighten is grip on Reinaldson's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Reinaldson has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Johnson is really squeezing tight and eventually Reinaldson passes out! Johnson breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Anthony Johnson!