PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Anthony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Berry McCluster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Berry McCluster enters the ring!

Johnson
vs
McCluster

175 cm
25
147 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

170 cm
27
154 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

World class MT
Very strong

World class boxer
Solid chin

STEEL PENN'S 160 OF STEEL $50 Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Anthony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Berry McCluster!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson pushes McCluster up against the ropes in a clinch.
McCluster is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McCluster blocks an elbow strike.
McCluster managing to block the knees to the body from Johnson.
McCluster is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McCluster is struggling to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCluster is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but McCluster is blocking nicely.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Johnson throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCluster avoiding damage as Johnson throws knees to the body.
McCluster wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johnson lands a knee to the head.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCluster blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson lands an elbow just above McCluster 's eye.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson lands an elbow just above McCluster 's eye.
McCluster takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on McCluster's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCluster.
Nice elbow from Johnson.
McCluster wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McCluster is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson with a knee to the head.
McCluster takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCluster wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCluster on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McCluster has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McCluster avoids it.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McCluster avoids it.
Johnson lands a good knee to the midsection. McCluster won't want to take too many of those.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as McCluster tries to tie him up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.
McCluster avoiding damage as Johnson throws knees to the body.

McCluster breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCluster forces Johnson back against the ropes and clinches.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Johnson landing knees to the head.
McCluster has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
McCluster stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.
McCluster working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.
McCluster takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCluster blocks an elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as McCluster tries to tie him up.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
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!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnson obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
McCluster wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
McCluster has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
McCluster takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCluster avoiding damage as Johnson throws knees to the body.
McCluster blocks an elbow strike from Johnson.
Johnson pushes off an throws an elbow but McCluster leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Johnson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
McCluster is breathing heavily.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
McCluster tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the ropes.
McCluster wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McCluster is trying to stall.
Johnson prevents McCluster from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A frustrated look appears on McCluster's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. McCluster lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson lands a good knee to the midsection. McCluster won't want to take too many of those.
McCluster wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Johnson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson landing knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McCluster moves into the clinch successfully.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but McCluster blocks it.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McCluster can do to turn this around?
Johnson working McCluster over with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.
Johnson lands a hook that snaps the head of McCluster backwards.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards McCluster's brow.
Johnson landing knees to the head.
McCluster looking to slow down the pace here.
Johnson working McCluster over with knees to the body.
McCluster takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped McCluster in his tracks for a moment.
McCluster takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that McCluster shrugs off.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson lands an elbow just above McCluster 's eye.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McCluster blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
McCluster is trying to break free.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but McCluster blocks with his arms.
McCluster trying to control the position but instead, Johnson has worked for underhooks and has pushed McCluster into the ropes.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped McCluster in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson lands an elbow just above McCluster 's eye.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson scores a nice knee to the body.
Johnson scores with a knee to the head.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped McCluster in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson misses with a knee strike.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McCluster stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCluster wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCluster has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McCluster throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.

McCluster closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
McCluster wants to stall.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
McCluster is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCluster.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McCluster tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the ropes.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson landing knees to the body.
McCluster is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
McCluster is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Johnson has denied him.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson working McCluster over with knees to the body.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Anthony Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCluster has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McCluster is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now McCluster has his back to the ropes.
Johnson scores a nice knee to the body.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped McCluster in his tracks for a moment.
McCluster working hard to break the clinch.
McCluster wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Johnson tries to work over McCluster's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson lands a knee to the body.
A short left from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Johnson scores with a knee to the head.
McCluster takes an elbow to the forehead.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Johnson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McCluster blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson pushes off an throws an elbow but McCluster leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
McCluster blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCluster has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McCluster wants to break free but Johnson has control.
McCluster is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns McCluster into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Johnson had his way with Berry McCluster in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but McCluster has taken the fight into the clinch.
McCluster has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Johnson has McCluster pressed against the ropes, preventing McCluster from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McCluster has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCluster's efforts to push away.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McCluster is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns McCluster into the ropes.
Johnson scores a nice knee to the body.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
Johnson misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
McCluster wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McCluster in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McCluster is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow that stopped McCluster in his tracks for a moment.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McCluster's defenses.
McCluster takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCluster working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but McCluster avoids the damage to the body.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCluster is defending well for now.
Johnson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCluster is defending well for now.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.
Anthony Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCluster.
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!
McCluster is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the ropes.

McCluster manages to break the clinch.
McCluster tries a head kick but it misses.

McCluster takes the fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson prevents McCluster from breaking the clinch.
Berry McCluster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Johnson!
A pretty intense looking Anthony Johnson took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.