PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Waters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Waters comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hip Hop kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Johnson
vs
Waters

179 cm
33
184 lbs
29 - 7 - 0

189 cm
32
195 lbs
21 - 10 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Derek Waters!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Franklyn Lucas and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waters throws a lazy uppercut

and Johnson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Waters's guard now.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Waters is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing that Johnson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Waters has Johnson pulled in close to control his posture.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
Waters manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Waters can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johnson is looking to escape.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Waters gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waters takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Waters working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Waters controlling from mount.
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Waters wants to control the pace but Johnson is squirming around nicely.
Johnson tries to hold on but Waters pushes him away.
Waters looking to control but Johnson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to hold on but Waters pushes him away.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson regains half guard.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Waters is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
It looks like Waters is going to stand back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Waters passes into side control, despite Johnson's attempt to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control but Waters postures up.
Waters wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his arm.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.

Waters decides to stand up, so the ref orders Johnson to his feet.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Waters knows he should have avoided that one.
Waters throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Johnson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Waters.
Decent striking displayed by Waters there.
Johnson checks a low kick from Waters.
Nice body kick from Johnson.
Waters looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Waters. Waters maintains the clinch.
Johnson lands with a left to the head.
Waters tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Johnson cracks Waters with a nice body shot.
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Waters backwards.
Johnson lands with a left to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Johnson lands a body punch.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Waters holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Waters blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Waters.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Waters is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Waters lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Waters tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Waters prevents a body shot from Johnson.

Waters pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Waters misses the shot to the body.
Waters misses with a body kick.
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 Luke Johnson will probably get the nod.
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.

Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Waters moves away.
Waters checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A jab from Waters does it's job there.

Waters gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Waters is retaining full guard.
Johnson pushes down on Waters's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johnson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Waters defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the action but Waters is working from the bottom.
Waters 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!
Waters controlling well, preventing Johnson from escaping the position.
Johnson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Waters's guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
Johnson trying to control but Waters is working from the bottom.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Waters swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson won't allow Waters to sweep him here.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scoring with punches and elbows.
Waters is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Waters, who protects the arm well.
Johnson cracks Waters with a big elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Waters's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Waters is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Waters is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson trying to control the action but Waters is working from the bottom.
Waters takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waters is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Waters is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Waters controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Johnson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Waters is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Waters gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Waters defends it.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Waters is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Waters is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Johnson trying to mount his opponent but Waters defends it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Waters won't allow it.
Johnson throwing shots but Waters is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Waters is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Waters is defending the position.
Luke Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Waters is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Waters as he jumps to the side.
Waters uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Waters scores with a jab to the head.
Waters throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson throws a push kick but Waters slaps the foot to one side.
Derek Waters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Waters tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Waters throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Waters misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Waters avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Waters fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Waters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Waters takes a step back to recover.
Johnson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Waters uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Derek Waters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Waters looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Waters might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Waters throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Johnson scores with a nice body kick.
Waters throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Waters misses with a double jab.
Waters tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Waters scores with a jab. Johnson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Waters.
A big left from Waters misses.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Waters sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waters misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Waters takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Waters.

Johnson looking to score a takedown here. Waters is defending well but Johnson drives through and ends up in Waters's guard.
Waters preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Waters has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Johnson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
It looks like Waters is going to stand back up.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Waters is controlling well.
Waters tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson gets full guard.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Waters defends well.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Waters from standing up.
Johnson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Johnson is working an open guard so Waters takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Waters is out of range.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Waters takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Waters throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Derek Waters seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a jab when Waters was well out of range.
Waters throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson looks for the body kick but Waters saw that one coming.
Waters steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Johnson. That one must have hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Waters with a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Waters scores with a body shot.
A cross from Waters lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Waters. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Derek Waters just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson cracks Waters with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Waters throws out the jab.
Waters checks a leg kick.
Waters ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
A jab from Waters misses.
Johnson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick from Waters.
Waters lands with a kick to the temple. Johnson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Waters throws out a loose jab but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Waters throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Waters looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Waters manages to avoid it.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Waters throws a head kick that misses.
Waters misses with a shot to the body

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Waters won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Johnson advances nicely into full mount.
Waters in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson throwing strikes here but Waters is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Waters is working to get back to half guard.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waters tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson trying to control but Waters is having none of it.
Waters wants to control but Johnson is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Waters is looking to escape.
Waters's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Waters is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Waters tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Waters is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Waters avoids a series of strikes thrown by Johnson.
Waters keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Johnson with a couple of short strikes.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Waters wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waters is working to get back to half guard.
Waters wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Johnson.
Waters wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson trying to control but Waters is having none of it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Waters can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Johnson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Johnson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson had his way with Derek Waters in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Donk. Waters catches Johnson right on the button with a cross.
Waters misses with a looping left.
Waters uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Waters scores with a kick to the midsection.
Waters darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Waters.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Waters shakes it off.
Good leg kick by Johnson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Waters fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Waters slips the punch.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Waters throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Waters keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Waters dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waters misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson swings for the body but Waters moves out of range.
Waters stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson moves forwards but Waters connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Waters fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
A good leg kick by Waters.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Johnson swings for the body but Waters moves out of range.
Johnson slips a straight right by Waters.
The fighters circle momentarily. Johnson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Good work by Waters as he checks the leg kick.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Waters sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waters wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.

Waters breaks from the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Waters thows a left - swing and a miss!
Waters tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Waters throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slapping leg kick lands for Waters.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Waters tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Waters manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson walks into a jab.
Waters throws a leg kick but Johnson checks it.
Johnson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Waters lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waters wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Waters lands a body shot.
Waters misses with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Johnson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Waters checks it well.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Waters wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson passes to side control.
Johnson trying to control the position but Waters is working away.
Waters holds on to Johnson's head and controls the position momentarily.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Waters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Derek Waters has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waters is looking to reverse the position.
Waters struggling a bit here.
Johnson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Waters sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Waters parries the strikes from Johnson easily there. Johnson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Waters to escape.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Waters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Derek Waters.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 48:47
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Johnson!
Luke Johnson retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Luke Johnson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.