PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Layfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micheal Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Layfield
vs
Johnson

198 cm
24
265 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

195 cm
27
260 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mark Layfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Micheal Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Layfield changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
Johnson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face as Layfield controls the position.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson is being controlled here.
Johnson wants to control but Layfield postures up.
Layfield content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Johnson is pushing Layfield's head away, looking to escape. Layfield manages to hold on to the position though.
Layfield slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Layfield scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The referee asks Layfield politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Layfield prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Layfield seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Johnson for as long as he can get away with.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Layfield wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Layfield drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson looks gassed!
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Layfield controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Layfield has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Layfield sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Layfield wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Layfield counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Layfield passes to side control.
Johnson is trying to escape the position but Layfield is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mark Layfield just wasn't active enough.

Layfield shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Johnson working for a triangle but Layfield defends it easily.
Layfield controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mark Layfield.
Johnson misses with a takedown

and Layfield counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Layfield controlling from the top position.
Layfield is pushing down on Johnson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Johnson is fighting to maintain full guard but Layfield has managed to sneak the leg through.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Layfield seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Layfield dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Layfield closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Layfield getting side control.
Layfield controlling the action here.
Layfield works his way into side control.
Layfield taking a breather here.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mark Layfield.

Layfield decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Layfield's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mark Layfield just wasn't active enough.

Layfield manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.
Layfield sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mark Layfield just wasn't active enough.

Layfield gets a takedown into half guard.
Layfield content to control rather than advance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mark Layfield overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mark Layfield has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Layfield looking to score a takedown here. Johnson is defending well but Layfield drives through and ends up in Johnson's guard.
Layfield is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Layfield controlling from the top position.
Layfield forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Layfield moves into full mount! Johnson won't be happy about that!
Layfield content just to control the position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Layfield dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Layfield shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee asks Layfield politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Layfield prefers to stall for the moment though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Layfield wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Johnson with a poor takedown

and Layfield counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Layfield moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Layfield is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?

We're going to have a standup here because Mark Layfield wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Layfield fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Layfield is now in Johnson's guard.
Layfield pushing down on Johnson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Layfield performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Mark Layfield wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Layfield.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mark Layfield has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Layfield shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Layfield showed some decent athleticism there.
Layfield performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Layfield wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Layfield shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Layfield finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Layfield keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Layfield is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Layfield showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Layfield has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:24
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:24
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Layfield!