PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matty Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Maccarone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Maccarone

187 cm
30
215 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

220 cm
30
205 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matty Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charlie Maccarone!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Maccarone scores with a leg kick.
Maccarone misses with a wild combination.
Johnson throws a jab when Maccarone was well out of range.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maccarone.
Maccarone throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Maccarone counters with a flying knee that drops Johnson!
Maccarone is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Maccarone has gone for a leg lock! Johnson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Maccarone's guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Maccarone is keeping the position.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maccarone is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Maccarone keeps moving.
Johnson prevents Maccarone from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maccarone has his foot on Johnson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnson works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maccarone manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Maccarone landing punches.
Johnson tries to hold on but Maccarone pushes him away.
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Maccarone is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Maccarone scoring with strikes but Johnson is staying in there.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson is bucking up trying to escape but Maccarone cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Maccarone goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Johnson is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson passes Maccarone's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maccarone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maccarone has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Maccarone is defending the position.
Maccarone trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.

Johnson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maccarone sees it coming and defends easily.
Johnson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Maccarone is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maccarone is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maccarone avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson is looking for a kimura here.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Maccarone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnson is stalling here. Maccarone is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Johnson seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Maccarone has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Johnson is not content to let Maccarone control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.

Maccarone goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johnson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Maccarone but great work by Johnson.
Maccarone tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Maccarone struggling a bit here.
Johnson working the head with strikes.

Johnson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Maccarone is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Johnson tries for a kimura but Maccarone is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson advances to full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Maccarone 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.

Maccarone takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Johnson has managed to clinch.
Maccarone lands a knee to the head.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maccarone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maccarone tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Maccarone's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maccarone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.

Johnson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maccarone manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Johnson has Maccarone in his guard.
Maccarone throws a big right hand that misses.
Maccarone throws a big elbow that misses.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maccarone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maccarone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maccarone wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maccarone trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson trying to control the position.

Maccarone thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Maccarone advances to half guard.
Maccarone trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson trying to hold on to Maccarone's head to control him but Maccarone postures up.

Maccarone seems to be looking for submissions.

Maccarone is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maccarone wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling the position.
Nice strikes from Maccarone there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has his hands clasped together around Maccarone's back. He's all about the action.

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

Maccarone is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maccarone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

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

Maccarone is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.
Maccarone is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maccarone is pressing down on Johnson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnson is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to roll over but Maccarone keeps him under control.
Charlie Maccarone has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.

Johnson working for a triangle but Maccarone defends it easily.
Johnson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Maccarone!
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Maccarone looks a forlorn figure.

Johnson is working for a guillotine from mount but Maccarone frees his head quite easily.
Maccarone keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson cracks Maccarone with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Maccarone but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson unloading with bombs!
Maccarone wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maccarone regains half guard.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maccarone keeps working.
Johnson moves nicely into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maccarone is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Matty Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Johnson connects with a single shot there.
Johnson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maccarone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Maccarone knows he should have avoided that one.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maccarone.
Johnson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Matty Johnson has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Maccarone. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Johnson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Charlie Maccarone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maccarone connects with a jab.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maccarone throws a head kick that misses.
Maccarone stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Maccarone throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Johnson's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Maccarone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Maccarone ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Maccarone.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.

Maccarone knocks Johnson to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Johnson is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maccarone is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Maccarone looks up at the clock and then as Johnson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Maccarone smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Johnson keeping his opponent close.
Maccarone trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to control Maccarone's posture but Maccarone avoids it.
Maccarone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Maccarone in side control lands a decent elbow.
Johnson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Maccarone's best efforts.
Maccarone winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Maccarone is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maccarone is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Johnson gets full guard.
Maccarone is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Maccarone trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maccarone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Maccarone pushes his legs off easily.

Maccarone drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maccarone jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maccarone makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Maccarone throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Johnson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Maccarone avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Maccarone scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Johnson working for a triangle but Maccarone defends it easily.
Maccarone throwing strikes but missing.
Maccarone trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Maccarone tries to pass.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Maccarone slips an elbow through the middle.

Johnson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maccarone works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maccarone is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Maccarone drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Maccarone off! Maccarone jumps back into Johnson's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Maccarone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maccarone has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Maccarone!
During a confident post fight interview, Charlie Maccarone thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.