PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Dirrell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dirrell comes to the cage accompanied by Shinedown - Diamond Eyes. David Dirrell has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Dirrell
vs
Johnson

194 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

185 cm
24
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, David Dirrell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dirrell misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dirrell being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson stops Dirrell from standing up.
Dirrell is breathing heavily.
Johnson stays in close to Dirrell's body and controls the position.
It looks like Johnson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Michael Johnson.
Johnson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dirrell enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dirrell manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dirrell wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson stands and throws Dirrell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Johnson is putting a hurting on Dirrell here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dirrell keeps working.
Dirrell seems a little lost for a moment, as Johnson dominates the positioning.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dirrell is trying to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Dirrell's face as Johnson controls the position.
Johnson landing strikes.

Johnson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dirrell knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson grinds an elbow into Dirrell's temple.
Johnson prevents Dirrell from escaping the position.
Dirrell taking a bit of punishment here - Johnson scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Dirrell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson connects with a body shot that sends Dirrell's belly button to the back.
Johnson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dirrell enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dirrell manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
Johnson stops Dirrell from standing up.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Dirrell being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Dirrell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson prevents Dirrell from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.

Dirrell scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Johnson showed some decent athleticism there.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Dirrell is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Dirrell wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson passes to side control.
Johnson prevents Dirrell from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dirrell is trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Dirrell to see if he's OK.
Johnson prevents Dirrell from escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Dirrell's face as Johnson controls the position.
Dirrell is trying to buck Johnson off.
Dirrell taking punishment in the form of punches.
Dirrell tries to escape but Johnson is in control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dirrell trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Dirrell bucks up and tries to throw Johnson off but instead Johnson has got his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson dominated that 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.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Dirrell's guard.
Dirrell wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson passes Dirrell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
Dirrell has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Dirrell!
Johnson won't let Dirrell get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson working Dirrell over with strikes here.
Dirrell really wants to buck Johnson off and get back to his feet.
Dirrell takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controlling from mount.
Dirrell's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Johnson landing strikes, looking to finish!

Johnson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Dirrell to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Dirrell shrugs it off.
Johnson with shots to the head and body - Dirrell looks very uncomfortable down there.
You get the feeling that Dirrell really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Dirrell can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Dirrell squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Johnson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Dirrell's face.
Dirrell is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Dirrell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
You get the feeling that Dirrell really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Dirrell looks a forlorn figure.
Dirrell's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Johnson looking to secure an arm triangle but Dirrell defends it well.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dirrell bucks up and throws Johnson to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Dirrell lands with a slapping head kick.

Johnson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Dirrell to the ground. Johnson is now in Dirrell's guard.
Johnson distracts Dirrell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Dirrell wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dirrell keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Dirrell kicks Johnson off and gets to his feet.
Dirrell moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dirrell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.
Dirrell is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Johnson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Johnson scoring with punches from side control.
Johnson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Dirrell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dirrell is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michael Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson working the ground and pound from side control.
Dirrell is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dirrell has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dirrell wants to get back to his feet but Johnson drags him back down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dirrell is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Dirrell wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson moves away from the strike by Dirrell.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Dirrell misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Dirrell!
BOOM! Johnson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Johnson unloading with bombs!

Dirrell defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Johnson.
Johnson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Dirrell hang on?
Johnson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Johnson dominating with strikes here.
Dirrell's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Dirrell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson tries to control but Dirrell wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dirrell wants to try and get back to his feet.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson dominating with strikes here.

Dirrell bucks up and throws Johnson to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
David Dirrell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dirrell. That's going to slow Johnson down.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dirrell on his heels. He'll look to pass Dirrell's guard now, I'm sure.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Dirrell's head.
Dirrell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson works over Dirrell with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Dirrell's head.

Dirrell pushes Johnson off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dirrell blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Dirrell misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Dirrell scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson moves out of range as Dirrell throws a body kick.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Dirrell keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Dirrell is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson stands and throws Dirrell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Dirrell some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Dirrell from escaping the position.
Johnson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Johnson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Johnson working the ground and pound.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Johnson is working Dirrell over with some ground and pound from side control.
Dirrell wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Dirrell!
Dirrell is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

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.
A nice elbow there by Johnson.
Dirrell is in a horrible position here. Johnson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Dirrell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Johnson tries to control but Dirrell wriggling away.
Dirrell trying desperately to get to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Dirrell?
David Dirrell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 26:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Johnson!