PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hazel Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Walsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnston
vs
Walsh

158 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Top MMA Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hazel Johnston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Aaron Walsh!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walsh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Walsh is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnston pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Johnston clinches up with Walsh and pushes him back against the cage.
Walsh keeps control of Johnston as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Walsh pulls guard effortlessly.
Johnston looking to pass the guard.

Johnston is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston looking to pass the guard.
Walsh tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Walsh swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Walsh wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Walsh wants to sweep here but Johnston controlling him for the moment.
Johnston looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Walsh closes the distance and clinches.
Johnston wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Walsh has him pressed against the cage.

Johnston gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Johnston missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Walsh manages to get to full guard.
Johnston wants to get up but he can't break Walsh's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Walsh keeping full guard, as Johnston tries to pass.
Walsh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnston preventing the sweep.
Johnston throwing strikes but missing.
Johnston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnston tries to clinch but Walsh moves away

and Walsh counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Walsh.

Johnston looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnston is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston can't keep his opponent in guard - Walsh advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnston has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnston is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Walsh looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Walsh uses his free foot to push down on Johnston's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Johnston.

Walsh looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Walsh content just to control the position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnston is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Walsh gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Johnston tries to clinch up

and Walsh counters with a nice double leg into side control. Johnston won't be happy with that.
Johnston gets back to half guard.
Johnston works his way to full guard. Good work.
Johnston is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Johnston looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Walsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnston looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Walsh wants to control from the top but Johnston keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Johnston is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Walsh slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Walsh wants to control from the top but Johnston keeps moving.
Johnston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnston keeping moving, preventing Walsh from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Johnston clinches but Walsh breaks the clinch

and Walsh counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Walsh content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Walsh dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnston tries to clinch up

and Walsh counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Walsh.
Johnston is looking to control Walsh's arms but Walsh gets an underhook and turns him. Now Johnston has his back to the cage.
Walsh lands a nice knee to the body.
The is referee keeping an eye on Johnston - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Johnston trying to land knees to the body.
Walsh lands with a light punch inside.
Walsh blocking some punches.
Johnston misses with some punches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Walsh takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Walsh manages to pull guard.
Walsh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walsh wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnston is fighting to break Walsh's control of his arms but Walsh is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Johnston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Walsh is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnston drops back looking for a leg! Walsh is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Walsh manages to kick Johnston off! Johnston jumps back into Walsh's guard.
Johnston is looking to work some ground and pound but Walsh has wrist control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnston being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Walsh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnston as he avoids it easily.
Johnston clinches but Walsh breaks the clinch

and Walsh counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnston regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnston wants to stand up but Walsh is controlling him.
Johnston is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Walsh wants to control but Johnston is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walsh wants to get back to full guard.
Walsh is trying to control but can't.
Walsh is pressing down on Johnston's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Walsh is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Walsh has control of Johnston's left arm, preventing Johnston from doing any damage.

Johnston has gone for a leg lock! Walsh slips out almost immediately though and dives into Johnston's guard.
Walsh pushes down on Johnston's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Johnston is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Walsh pulls his head out easily.
Walsh is looking to take a break and control but Johnston is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston wants to get back to full guard.
Walsh with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Walsh is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Johnston is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Walsh jumps into side control!
Johnston gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnston is looking for a sweep. Walsh is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnston is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Walsh's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Walsh's back!
Walsh staying busy and making it hard for Johnston to control.

Walsh defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Johnston's arms.

Johnston is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Walsh is defending well though. Johnston let's go of the attempt for now.
Aaron Walsh has got the better of the ground game so far.

Johnston looking to break Walsh's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Walsh remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Johnston will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walsh trying to control the position but Johnston manages to sink in the hooks.

Johnston is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Walsh won't enjoy being in this position. Johnston looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Walsh is tapping - it's over boys! Johnston picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Hazel Johnston!