PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Travis Turner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santiago Johnson (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.

Turner
vs
Johnson

175 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
299 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Travis Turner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Santiago Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turner throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Turner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Travis Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santiago Johnson.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Johnson.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Turner on that attempt.
Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Turner counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Turner postures up.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Turner controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Turner advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Turner is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Johnson to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Johnson lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Turner is proving a slippery customer.
Turner won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Turner tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Turner might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A choreographed right hand from Turner misses the target.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt

and Turner counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Turner is breathing heavily.

Turner 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.
Turner looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Turner isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson wants to hit a switch here but Turner passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Johnson there!
Johnson tries to hold on but Turner postures up.

Turner working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Johnson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Turner tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Turner goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Johnson is on top in guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Turner keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson tries to clinch

and Turner holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Turner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Turner shoots and misses
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Turner manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Turner gets full guard.
Turner controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.

Turner had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Johnson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Turner Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Johnson's back instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turner is trying to stick to Johnson's back but Johnson is turning into Turner. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Turner's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Johnson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.

Turner has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johnson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson pushes down on Turner's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Turner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Turner wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Turner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Turner 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Turner is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Turner throws a couple of heel strikes.
Johnson works over Turner with some ground and pound from guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Turner looking for the choke from the back.
Turner is landing with strikes from the back.

Turner looking for the RNC.
Turner lands a shot to the head.
Travis Turner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Can Johnson hold on?! Turner is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Johnson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Turner is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Johnson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Johnson for a finish.
Johnson breaks Turner's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turner 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.

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

Turner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Turner dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Johnson throws a leg kick but Turner sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Turner fails to land the takedown.
Turner shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson wants to clinch

and Turner counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.

Turner tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Johnson is not content to let Turner control the position.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Turner tries for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Turner landing strikes.

Johnson is rocked!

Turner is working to tighten is grip on Johnson's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Johnson has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Turner is really squeezing tight and eventually Johnson passes out! Turner breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Travis Turner!