PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Praying Mantis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Kingston Town. A fine choice. Praying Mantis told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Johnson
vs
Mantis

185 cm
19
193 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

189 cm
19
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ownit Labs: Virtual Human Optimization

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Robert Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Praying Mantis!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mantis loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mantis is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Mantis trying to control from the bottom.
Mantis is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Johnson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Johnson's back!

Johnson defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Johnson advances to half guard.

Mantis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots but Mantis is blocking nicely.
Johnson trying to control the action but Mantis is working from the bottom.
Johnson uses his free foot to push down on Mantis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mantis.

Mantis defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Johnson.
Mantis is wriggling around trying to escape.

Johnson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mantis is surviving well by controlling Johnson's body position as best he can.
Mantis tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mantis really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Johnson is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Mantis has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantis is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.

Johnson working for a submission but Mantis is keeping him at bay.
Johnson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mantis manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Mantis is defending well.
Mantis is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mantis!
Johnson looking to control but Mantis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson avoids the attempt from Mantis to control.

Mantis defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Johnson.

Johnson is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Mantis has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Johnson prevents Mantis from getting the reversal.
Mantis taking shots to the head.
Johnson tries to control but Mantis wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantis wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mantis wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson raining down shots from the mount!
Mantis is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Mantis tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mantis gets back to half guard.
Mantis won't allow Johnson to pass to mount.
Mantis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Mantis defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnson.
Mantis is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Johnson off and has taken his back!

Mantis is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Johnson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Mantis looking for the choke but no joy.
Mantis has the hooks in. Johnson is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Mantis has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Johnson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Mantis tries to get the hooks in deep but Johnson pushed the leg off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the action but Mantis just sinks the hooks in.

Mantis patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Mantis tightening his grip on Johnson, looking for the choke.

Johnson fending off the submission attempt from Mantis.
Johnson turns into Mantis and is now in his guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mantis keeps moving.
Johnson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Mantis controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson passes into half guard.
Mantis is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson looking to finish Mantis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Mantis!
Mantis wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson with good strikes from the mount here!
Johnson content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantis is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Mantis tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Mantis stops Johnson from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Mantis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Johnson is working for a guillotine from mount but Mantis frees his head quite easily.
Mantis is trying to escape the mount.
Mantis prevents Johnson from taking his back.
Praying Mantis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to capitalize on a mistake by Mantis to take his back!
Johnson has the hooks in. Mantis is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Johnson working for the choke.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Mantis.
Mantis tries to break free.

Johnson has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Mantis is defending well but eventually Johnson manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Mantis has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Robert Johnson!
Robert Johnson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Ownit Labs: Virtual Human Optimization, into his post fight interview.