PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Johnstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Enrico Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Johnstone
vs
Vargas

175 cm
18
173 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

188 cm
22
179 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ray Johnstone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Enrico Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vargas forces Johnstone back against the cage and clinches.
Johnstone is trying to push Vargas away but Vargas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Johnstone tightens his grip and picks Vargas up, before dumping him to the ground. Vargas manages to land in guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Johnstone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vargas is keeping the position for now.
Johnstone wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.
Johnstone throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnstone postures up.
Vargas wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Enrico Vargas hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Vargas has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas trying to land knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Vargas.
Vargas tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnstone avoids the damage to the body.
Vargas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnstone is defending well for now.
Vargas prevents the takedown attempt.
Vargas tries to work over Johnstone's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnstone avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.
Vargas lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnstone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vargas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Johnstone goes for a takedown attempt but Vargas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Johnstone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vargas rushes Johnstone and presses him up against the cage.
Johnstone is trying to drag Vargas to the mat but Vargas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnstone drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnstone tries to score a body lock takedown but Vargas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Johnstone is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vargas.
Vargas missing with knees to the body.
Johnstone avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.
Johnstone trying to stall but Vargas improves his position.
Johnstone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vargas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnstone avoids it.
Vargas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnstone avoids it.
Johnstone managing to block the knees to the body from Vargas.
Vargas missing with knees to the body.
Vargas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnstone looking for a takedown.
Vargas prevents the takedown attempt.
Johnstone managing to block the knees to the body from Vargas.
Vargas works on Johnstone's body with a couple of short punches.
Vargas lands a knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Vargas.
Vargas landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vargas tries to work over Johnstone's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vargas pulls guard successfully.
Johnstone has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnstone tries to free his leg and advance position but Vargas is retaining full guard.

Johnstone drops back looking for a leg! Vargas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vargas manages to kick Johnstone off! Johnstone jumps back into Vargas's guard.
Johnstone being controlled here momentarily.

Vargas has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Johnstone off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vargas moves into range and clinches up with Johnstone.
Vargas putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Johnstone in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Vargas lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnstone won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Vargas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Vargas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Vargas working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas stands up over Johnstone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vargas lands a couple of digs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas stands up over Johnstone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vargas connects with a couple of short punches.
Vargas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnstone's head.
Vargas scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enrico Vargas dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnstone clinches.
Vargas stops a takedown attempt from Johnstone.
Johnstone drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vargas pulls his leg out and moves away.

Vargas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnstone, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnstone tries for a takedown but Vargas manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Johnstone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vargas is pressed up against the cage. Johnstone has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vargas down to the mat. Vargas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Vargas instigates a clinch.
Vargas missing with knees to the body.
Vargas lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnstone won't want to take too many of those.
Johnstone managing to block the knees to the body from Vargas.
Vargas scores a nice knee to the body.
Johnstone managing to block the knees to the body from Vargas.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vargas looking to throw knees to the head but Johnstone is blocking nicely.
Vargas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vargas scores with a hook to the body.
Still in the clinch, Vargas scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnstone blocks a body shot from Vargas.
Vargas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Johnstone.

Vargas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Vargas drives through and clinches with Johnstone against the cage.
Vargas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vargas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vargas digs a right hand into Johnstone's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnstone's gas tank.
Vargas unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Vargas lands a body punch in the clinch.
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!

Vargas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Vargas moves into the clinch.
Vargas prevents the takedown attempt.
Vargas unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnstone lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Vargas tries a body shot but Johnstone blocks it.
Johnstone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vargas just stands there and leans against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Vargas.

Vargas lands a takedown into guard.

Vargas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vargas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vargas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vargas working some strikes from top position.
Vargas chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnstone has momentary wrist control but Vargas slips an elbow through the middle.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Vargas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnstone's head.
Vargas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
Vargas scoring with punches to the head and body.
Vargas is in close to Johnstone's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnstone has momentary wrist control but Vargas slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas postures up and lands a big shot to Johnstone's brow.
Johnstone throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Johnstone looking for a guillotine here but Vargas defends easily.

Johnstone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnstone has momentary wrist control but Vargas slips an elbow through the middle.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Johnstone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vargas defends well.
Vargas distracts Johnstone with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Vargas is in close to Johnstone's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnstone might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
Vargas scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnstone's head.
Vargas landing some decent shots from guard.

Johnstone is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnstone has momentary wrist control but Vargas slips an elbow through the middle.
Oh Johnstone is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnstone seems to have got his legs back now.
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
Johnstone on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnstone tries to get out of the position.
Vargas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnstone's head.

Johnstone is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
Vargas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vargas works over Johnstone with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enrico Vargas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vargas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vargas using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johnstone is trying to stall.
Vargas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vargas lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnstone or not.
Vargas can't break the clinch.
Vargas is working Johnstone over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vargas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnstone avoids it.
A body shot lands from Vargas.
Vargas lands a nice shot to the body.

Vargas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vargas moves into the clinch successfully.
Vargas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vargas working Johnstone over with knees to the body.
Vargas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Johnstone takes a shot to the head.
Johnstone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnstone drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vargas misses with a body punch.
Vargas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Enrico Vargas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vargas lands a body punch in the clinch.

Vargas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vargas moves into the clinch.
Johnstone avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.
Johnstone tries to score a body lock takedown but Vargas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Johnstone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vargas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Good body shot from Vargas.
Vargas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Johnstone.
A left hand lands to the body for Vargas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A hook to the body from Vargas.
Vargas lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Vargas is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Johnstone drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vargas pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vargas moves into range and clinches up with Johnstone.
Johnstone managing to block the knees to the body from Vargas.
Vargas scores a nice knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Vargas as the two fighters clinch.
Vargas cracks Johnstone with a nice body shot.
Vargas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vargas landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vargas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Johnstone avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.
Johnstone tries for a takedown but Vargas manages to get underhooks.
A body shot lands from Vargas.
Vargas digs a right hand into Johnstone's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnstone's gas tank.
Vargas wants to break free but Johnstone has control.
Vargas misses with a punch to the body.
Vargas works on Johnstone's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas crunches a lovely knee into Johnstone's ribcage.
Vargas lands a body punch.
Vargas misses with a punch to the body.
Vargas cracks Johnstone with a nice body shot.
Vargas tries to throw a body punch but Johnstone avoids it by throwing Vargas back against the cage.
Vargas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnstone avoids it.
Johnstone avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.
Johnstone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vargas just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnstone blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vargas lands a body punch.

Vargas gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Johnstone regains guard.
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vargas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnstone's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
Enrico Vargas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnstone throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Vargas scoring with some ground and pound.
Vargas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ray Johnstone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Johnstone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vargas stands up over Johnstone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vargas connects with a couple of short punches.

Johnstone working for a triangle but Vargas defends it easily.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas scoring with some ground and pound.
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Enrico Vargas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vargas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnstone's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enrico Vargas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vargas 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Enrico Vargas!