PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Noel Severino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edit Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edit Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Severino
vs
Johnson

176 cm
28
135 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

150 cm
18
130 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Untouchable Fight Nutrition

Malicestar

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noel Severino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edit Johnson!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Eddie Farnsworth and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Severino swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into Severino's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Severino looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Severino working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Severino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Severino 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Severino looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Severino keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Severino keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Severino gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Severino throwing strikes but missing.
Severino throws a big right hand that misses.
Severino throws a big elbow that misses.
Severino really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Severino controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Severino drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Johnson dives on top into guard.
Severino keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Severino is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Severino looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.

Severino throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Severino is retaining full guard.

Severino is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Severino keeps moving.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

Severino looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Johnson passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Severino is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.

Severino actively working from the bottom here.

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

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Severino doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Severino is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Noel Severino will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Severino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.

Severino drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

Severino drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Severino jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Severino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Noel Severino overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson controls Severino momentarily but Severino frees himself.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Severino doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Severino manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Severino throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Severino pushes his legs off easily.
Severino throws a big right hand that misses.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Severino postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Severino drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Severino off! Severino jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Severino pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Severino throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Severino drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Severino jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Severino works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Severino is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson works his way to full guard. Good work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Severino is proving a slippery customer.
Severino makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Severino got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Severino has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Severino postures up.
Severino loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Severino throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Severino postures up.

Severino is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Johnson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Johnson has escaped and now he's on top!
Johnson is pushing down on Severino's leg trying to pass to half guard. Severino is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Severino defending well.
Severino wants to get back to his feet.
Severino trying to get back to full guard but Johnson takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Severino is controlling an arm, preventing Johnson from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Severino is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson wants to control the pace but Severino is squirming around nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Severino is in all sorts of trouble here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Severino to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Severino shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Edit Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Johnson trying to control the action but Severino is working from the bottom.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Severino tries to escape but Johnson is in control.
Severino manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Severino is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.

Severino is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.
Severino will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.

Severino is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.
Johnson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Severino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Severino thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Severino throws a big elbow that misses.
Severino passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Severino has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Severino lands a heavy elbow.

Severino is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Johnson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Severino isn't that keen on the idea.
Johnson wants to hold on but Severino pushes him away.
Johnson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson wants to control but Severino is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Severino thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Severino wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.

Severino is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson is looking to control Severino's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Johnson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Severino wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Severino working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Severino throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Severino postures up.

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

Severino 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Severino defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Noel Severino.
Well Severino has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Noel Severino!
Noel Severino managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Untouchable Fight Nutrition, into his post fight interview.