PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josh Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Rosenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Straight Outta Compton. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Rosenberg

169 cm
26
133 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

165 cm
26
142 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Niko Rosenberg!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson tries for a takedown but Rosenberg sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Rosenberg.
Johnson takes one on the button.
Rosenberg looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Rosenberg scores with a nice head shot.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rosenberg is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson stops Rosenberg from getting back to his feet.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Rosenberg defends it.
Rosenberg is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Rosenberg is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.
Rosenberg wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenberg is concentrating on defense, preventing Johnson from advancing position.
Rosenberg wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rosenberg desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rosenberg doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson stops Rosenberg from getting back to his feet.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Rosenberg is defending well.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rosenberg defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rosenberg defends it well.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rosenberg has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Johnson is looking to advance position but Rosenberg won't allow it.
Rosenberg looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rosenberg wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rosenberg defends it well.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Rosenberg is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rosenberg doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Rosenberg tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson works his way into side control.
Rosenberg is looking for a sweep.

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rosenberg holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working away.
Rosenberg is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Rosenberg gets back to half guard.
Johnson prevents Rosenberg from standing back up.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Rosenberg is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rosenberg is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rosenberg does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Johnson working over Rosenberg with some ground and pound. Rosenberg looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rosenberg is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Rosenberg's hands, connecting with Rosenberg's forehead.
Rosenberg gets back to full guard.
Rosenberg keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rosenberg is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Rosenberg circles away and we're back to standing.
Rosenberg plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Rosenberg which made him look bad.
Rosenberg throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Horrible takedown by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Rosenberg which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rosenberg lands an overhand right.
Rosenberg throws a combination. Johnson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Johnson avoids the head kick by Rosenberg.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Josh Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Rosenberg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rosenberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rosenberg closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a takedown
and Rosenberg counters with a nice leg kick.
Rosenberg connects with a solid leg kick.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Rosenberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rosenberg connects with a solid leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rosenberg.
Rosenberg throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rosenberg. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Rosenberg scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Niko Rosenberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rosenberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Rosenberg throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rosenberg lands a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rosenberg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rosenberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rosenberg throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Rosenberg moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rosenberg dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Rosenberg manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rosenberg tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rosenberg to the ground. Rosenberg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rosenberg lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from Rosenberg.
Rosenberg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rosenberg lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.
Rosenberg tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenberg throws a nice head kick!
Rosenberg misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rosenberg defends it nicely.
Rosenberg throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rosenberg's waist but Rosenberg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Rosenberg lands a head kick!
Rosenberg feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Johnson's calf.
Niko Rosenberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rosenberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rosenberg lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rosenberg counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Rosenberg lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Rosenberg swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Niko Rosenberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rosenberg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson checks a low kick from Rosenberg.
A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnson shoots in but Rosenberg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Rosenberg throws a body kick that misses.
Rosenberg lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rosenberg throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Johnson is working for a guillotine from mount but Rosenberg frees his head quite easily.
Johnson prevents Rosenberg from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Rosenberg 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. This is the final round!

Rosenberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rosenberg sprawls well. Rosenberg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Rosenberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rosenberg scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Rosenberg throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rosenberg does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Rosenberg's guard.

Rosenberg had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Johnson defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson passes Rosenberg's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rosenberg looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Josh Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rosenberg works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rosenberg is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Rosenberg is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.
Rosenberg wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Johnson manages to pass to side control.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Rosenberg is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rosenberg looks like he's trying to stand up.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rosenberg has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rosenberg is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Rosenberg is looking to escape.
Rosenberg blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.
Rosenberg gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rosenberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rosenberg trying to control the position.

Rosenberg is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Rosenberg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rosenberg tries to work over Johnson's front leg with a kick but Johnson checks it.
Nice jab there from Rosenberg.
Rosenberg misses with a low kick.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Rosenberg is out of range.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Rosenberg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rosenberg avoids it really well and circles away.
Rosenberg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Josh Johnson.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Johnson!
In his post fight interview, Josh Johnson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.