PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phal Um (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phal Um will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Johnson
vs
Um

176 cm
20
168 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
180 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Phal Um!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Um changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Um throws a strike aimed at the side of Johnson's head but Johnson avoids it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson trying to control but Um flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Johnson wants to escape the position.
Um controls the position.
Um throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Um has good solid back control here.
Um lands strikes to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Um is riding his opponent, not letting Johnson buck him off.
Johnson trying to control but not successfully.

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.
Um controls the position.
Um's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Johnson just trying to survive but Um is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Um.
Johnson wants to escape the position.
Um biding his time, looking for the opening.

Despite being in the dominant position, Phal Um just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Um drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phal Um dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Um paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A big left from Johnson misses.

Um scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Um with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Let's hope that Um has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Um is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Um tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Um is controlling the pace.
Johnson tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Um manages to move to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Um takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Um looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Phal Um just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Um cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson misses with a looping right.

Um shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnson's guard.
Johnson is trying to keep Um in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Um sitting in guard here, content to control.
Um loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson working a defensive guard but Um passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson pushes Um off but Um dives into side control.
Johnson tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phal Um showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Johnson throws a hook but Um avoids it easily.
Um ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
Um waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Um lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Um circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Um moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Johnson moves out of range as Um strikes.

Um shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Um content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Um is very close to passing his half guard.
Um performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Um is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Um winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Um with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Um winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson trying to hold on to Um's head to control him but Um postures up.
Matt Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Um is pressing down on Johnson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnson is holding on for now.
Johnson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Um has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Um sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phal Um comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Um winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phal Um!