PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tarik Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Pope's choice of entrance music: Welcome to the Jungle. Tarik Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Pope

184 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tarik Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Daniel Pope!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Pope finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Pope works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pope to score with a decent uppercut.
Pope swings widly with a right hand

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Pope's guard now.
Johnson trying to control but Pope is working from the bottom.
Pope tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pope really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pope looking to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pope looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Johnson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Well, if Johnson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Pope is trying to control but can't.
Pope is trying to control but Johnson passes into side control!
Pope is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to stand but Pope is controlling his head.

Johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but Pope is defending well.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pope, who protects the arm well.
Pope is looking to get back to his feet here but Johnson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Pope's back.
Pope rolls, trying to escape but Johnson keeps control of the position.
Johnson controlling the position well here. Pope rolled but Johnson kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Pope is trapped and Johnson is scoring with shots to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope is trying to get back to his feet but Johnson has full control of the position and if anything, Pope has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Johnson is persistently looking for the submission but Pope is defending it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is taking a good look at Pope as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Johnson!
Johnson lands shots from the back.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson lands strikes to the head.

Johnson looking to break Pope's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Pope remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Johnson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Johnson lands with a hammerfist to the side of Pope's head.

Pope is rocked!
Pope holding both Johnson 's hands and preventing any damage.
Pope is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson scoring with big shots to the body. Pope is looking for a way out. A despairing look towards the ref and the official steps in to stop the fight. Pope was obviously done but didn't want to tap out.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tarik Johnson!