PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Costa's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Coasters - Down In Mexico. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Costa
vs
Johnson

179 cm
23
182 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
176 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joao Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sammy Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Costa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Costa moves out of range easily.
Costa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Costa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Costa has managed to clinch.
Costa is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joao Costa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Costa wants to clinch.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Costa has managed to clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Costa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Costa.
Costa tries to clinch up.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Costa blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Costa tries a head kick but it misses.
Costa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson lands with a cross.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Costa moves out of range easily.

Costa darts in and clinches Johnson up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that Costa shrugs off.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Costa clinches.
Johnson crunches a lovely knee into Costa's ribcage.
Johnson scores with a shoulder strike.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Good exchange - Johnson coming out on top.
Costa tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Costa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Costa from controlling successfully.
Costa is breathing heavily.
Costa throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Johnson controls Costa momentarily but Costa frees himself.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Costa from controlling successfully.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Costa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Costa moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Costa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Costa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Costa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Costa moves away.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Costa avoids it well.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Costa blocks a head kick by Johnson.

Costa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Costa misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Costa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Costa throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Johnson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Costa prevents Johnson from improving his position.

Costa is working for a submission of some sort.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Costa is controlling him well.

That's four 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.
Costa not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Costa is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Costa tries to clinch up.
Good exchange - Johnson coming out on top.
Horrible takedown by Costa or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Costa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Costa blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Costa tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson lands a nice shot that snaps Costa's head back.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Costa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Costa at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Costa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Costa forces Johnson back against the ropes and clinches.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a head kick but Costa moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Costa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Costa tries to clinch up.
Costa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.
Costa tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Costa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Costa is rocked!
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Oh Costa is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Johnson connects with the punch.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Costa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson scores with a kick to the body.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Costa. That did some damage!
Johnson thuds his right hand into Costa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Costa's defenses.
Johnson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Costa.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Costa tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Costa seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Costa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Costa tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Costa has Johnson up against the ropes in a clinch.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
Costa jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Costa around his waist. Costa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Costa tries a head kick but it misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Costa sees it coming and moves out of range.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Costa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.

Costa 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Costa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Costa working away.
Costa scoring with punches and elbows.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Costa wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Costa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Costa is controlling him well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Costa fails in his attempt to clinch.

Costa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Costa asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Costa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working to try and regain half guard.
Costa lands with some strikes.
Costa tries to control but Johnson wriggling away.
Costa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Johnson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson throwing hammer fists to the chest of Costa. What's that going to do exactly?
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Costa tries to clinch up.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Costa. Costa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson lands with a shot to the body.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson lands a jab to the nose.
Johnson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Costa if he has to take too many more of those.
Costa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Costa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson thuds his shin into the meat of Costa's side.
Costa walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Costa tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Johnson lands with a right hand.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Costa misses with a head kick.
Costa wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Johnson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Costa rushes Johnson and presses him up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Johnson keeps control of Costa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Costa dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Costa throws a head kick that misses.
Costa throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Costa. Costa gets slowly back to his feet.
Sammy Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Costa tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Costa takes one to the chin there.
Johnson throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Horrible takedown by Costa or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Costa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson with a hook.
Costa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Costa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Costa tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Costa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.

Costa closes the distance and clinches.
Costa looking to slow down the pace here.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Costa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Johnson!

Costa working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Costa maintains control.
Joao Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa working Johnson over with strikes here.
Johnson taking shots to the head.
Johnson tries to buck Costa off but he can't manage it.
Costa prevents Johnson from getting the reversal.
Johnson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Costa lands a nice shot to the head.
Costa connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Costa is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Johnson is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Johnson flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Costa anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Johnson and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Costa slips an arm under Johnson chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Costa has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Costa is squeezing on Johnson like an anaconda would it's prey. Johnson fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joao Costa!