PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Johnsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tronic Thermo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnsson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Kashmir - Led Zeppelin. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnsson
vs
Thermo

180 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gunnar Johnsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Tronic Thermo!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thermo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnsson tries to avoid it but Thermo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnsson to the ground. Johnsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thermo slips a jab from Johnsson.
Johnsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thermo slips under a jab from Johnsson.
Thermo tries to bum rush Johnsson with a series of wild strikes but Johnsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Johnsson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Johnsson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnsson with shots to the head and body - Thermo looks very uncomfortable down there.
Thermo regains half guard.
Johnsson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Still in half guard, Johnsson seems content to control.
Johnsson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Thermo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Thermo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Thermo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Johnsson passes into side control!
Johnsson landing a few strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnsson tries to move to mount but Thermo blocks the move with his legs.
Thermo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnsson tries to score with some ground and pound. Thermo controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Thermo is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnsson connects with a decent elbow.
Johnsson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
This fight is sponsored by Chainsaw 7. More blood and guts and stuff like that, in cinemas everywhere now!
Thermo takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson wants to control but Thermo is keeping him busy.
Thermo is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnsson connects with a decent elbow.
Johnsson tries to advance to mount but can't.

Johnsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Johnsson tries for a kimura but Thermo is defending well.
Thermo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Thermo is keen to just control but Johnsson is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thermo is looking for a kimura here.
Johnsson manages to get to full guard.
Thermo stopping the sweep attempt from Johnsson.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thermo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thermo throwing strikes from guard but Johnsson blocks nicely.
Johnsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thermo is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thermo's guard.
Johnsson pushes down on Thermo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thermo missing with punches from the bottom.
Johnsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thermo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thermo trying to control here.
Johnsson trying to control the action but Thermo is working from the bottom.
Johnsson is really struggling to control Thermo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Johnsson 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.

Nice uppercut there from Thermo.
Thermo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnsson counters with a straight right hand.
Johnsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Thermo tries to bum rush Johnsson with a series of wild strikes but Johnsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thermo tries to clinch

and Johnsson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thermo!
Johnsson cracks Thermo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnsson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Thermo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
BOOM! Johnsson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnsson looking to secure an arm triangle but Thermo defends it well.
Johnsson trying to control but Thermo is having none of it.
Johnsson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thermo hang on?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thermo tries to hold on but Johnsson pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Johnsson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gunnar Johnsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnsson avoids the attempt from Thermo to control.
Johnsson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Thermo can't escape the position.
Johnsson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Johnsson unloading with bombs!
Johnsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thermo is looking to escape.
Johnsson looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson dominating with strikes here.
Johnsson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thermo's face.
Thermo is trying desperately to improve position.
Thermo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Johnsson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Johnsson tries to control but Thermo wriggling away.
Johnsson dominating with strikes here.
Johnsson lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson dominating with strikes here.
Thermo wants to get back to his feet.
Thermo taking shots to the head.
Thermo bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Johnsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thermo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnsson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnsson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson working Thermo over with strikes here.
You get the feeling that Thermo really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Johnsson lands a big shot there that rocks Thermo but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Thermo is bucking up trying to escape but Johnsson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Thermo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Thermo is squirming around, avoiding Johnsson's attempts to control the action.
Thermo tries to hold on but Johnsson pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Johnsson landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Johnsson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnsson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnsson stopping the sweep attempt from Thermo.
Thermo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thermo trying to strike off his back.
Johnsson scoring with some ground and pound.
Thermo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Johnsson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thermo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Johnsson!
Thermo throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Thermo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson is trying to escape the mount.
Thermo avoids the attempt from Johnsson to control.
Johnsson regains half guard.
Johnsson moves into full guard.
Johnsson working a defensive guard but Thermo passes into half guard.

Johnsson actively working from the bottom here.
Johnsson wants to improve his position but Thermo is controlling well.
Thermo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnsson keeps working.

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.
Johnsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thermo.
Thermo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thermo is working for a kimura but Johnsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnsson is pressing down on Thermo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnsson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson is working hard here to advance position.
Thermo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thermo tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnsson is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thermo tries for a takedown but Johnsson circles away easily

and Johnsson counters with a single leg into guard. Thermo didn't expect that.
Johnsson advances to half guard.
Thermo trying to control here.
Johnsson wants to pass the guard but Thermo is defending well.
Thermo is not content to let Johnsson control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thermo is looking for a sweep. Johnsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnsson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thermo tries to hold on but Johnsson postures up.
Johnsson raining down shots from the mount!
Thermo can't escape the position.
Johnsson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Johnsson raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Johnsson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thermo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thermo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnsson has Thermo pushed against the cage.
Johnsson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Johnsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thermo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnsson or not.
Thermo has a couple of punches blocked by Johnsson.
Johnsson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thermo prevents it.
A right handed body shot lands from Thermo.
Thermo lands with a light punch inside.
Thermo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnsson or not.
Thermo lands an uppercut.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nice body punch from Thermo.
Thermo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnsson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Thermo - that landed with a thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Thermo.
Thermo tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnsson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Thermo gets through Johnsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Johnsson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice left hand lands by Thermo.
Thermo lands with a short shot to the head.
Thermo has a couple of punches blocked by Johnsson.
Thermo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnssons head.
Johnsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Thermo.
Thermo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thermo avoids a wild elbow strike from Johnsson.

Johnsson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Johnsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thermo is looking to control Johnsson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thermo avoid being mounted?
Johnsson tries to pass to full mount but Thermo defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thermo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Thermo is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Johnsson pulls his head out easily.
Johnsson is taking a breather. Thermo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thermo keeping control of the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thermo slips under a jab.
Johnsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tronic Thermo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Johnsson shoots in and bounces Thermo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnsson prevents Thermo from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermo striking off his back but it's not causing Johnsson any problems.
Johnsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thermo is keeping the position for now.
Johnsson postures up and lands a big shot to Thermo's brow.
Johnsson looking to pass the guard.
Thermo wants to sweep here but Johnsson controlling him for the moment.
Johnsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thermo is keeping the position for now.
Johnsson landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thermo swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnsson.
Thermo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thermo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Johnsson moves into range and clinches up with Thermo.
Johnsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Thermo scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Thermo - that landed with a thud.
Johnsson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnsson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnsson pushes off an throws an elbow but Thermo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Thermo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thermo prevents a body shot from Johnsson.

Thermo breaks the clinch.
Thermo wants to clinch but Johnsson slips to the side

and Johnsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Thermo's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Johnsson had his way with Tronic Thermo in that round.
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!

Thermo moves out of range of the strikes.

Johnsson closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnsson.
Johnsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thermo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Johnsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thermo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thermo throws an overhand right that lands on Johnsson's shoulder, as Johnsson tries to avoid the shot.
Thermo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thermo tries to clinch but Johnsson is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thermo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnsson moves away.
Johnsson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Johnsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnsson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johnsson working away.
Thermo taking punishment in the form of punches.
Johnsson trying to control the action but Thermo is working from the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Johnsson lands an elbow.
Thermo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnsson lands some shots froms side control.
Johnsson trying to control the position but Thermo is working away.
Johnsson working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thermo some visible discomfort.
Thermo is looking for a sweep.
Johnsson is looking to take a break and control but Thermo 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.
Decent striking displayed by Thermo there.
Thermo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnsson moves away.
Thermo tries to clinch up

and Johnsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnsson.
Thermo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermo keeping full guard, as Johnsson tries to pass.
Johnsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thermo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnsson looking to pass the guard.
Gunnar Johnsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thermo keeping moving, preventing Johnsson from controlling successfully.
Thermo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Thermo is controlling Johnsson's posture.
Johnsson trying to control but Thermo is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thermo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnsson fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunnar Johnsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thermo closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thermo lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnsson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tronic Thermo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thermo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnsson's head.
Johnsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thermo is one step ahead there.
Thermo is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnsson has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Johnsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Johnsson!
Gunnar Johnsson retains his welterweight title!