PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carter Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vaimaa Fatu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fatu is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by So Close Now. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Fatu

195 cm
39
276 lbs
32 - 14 - 0

193 cm
27
239 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carter Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vaimaa Fatu!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson tries to bum rush Fatu with a series of wild strikes but Fatu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.
Fatu slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Johnson takes a swing at Fatu's ribcage but misses.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Vaimaa Fatu has been cut.
Fatu ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Fatu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johnson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fatu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fatu lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fatu.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fatu was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Fatu.
Fatu misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Fatu is looking to chop away at Johnson's legs.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Fatu scores with the left hand. Johnson knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson defending well as Fatu loads up on a big left hand.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Fatu has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Fatu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fatu misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fatu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fatu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Fatu moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
Fatu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Vaimaa Fatu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fatu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fatu throws a shot to the body.
Fatu cracks the inside of Johnson's front leg.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fatu.
Fatu connects with an inside leg kick.
Fatu tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Fatu is out of range.
Johnson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fatu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Fatu is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Fatu trying to mount his opponent but Johnson defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is pressing down on Fatu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Fatu controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Fatu is fighting to break Johnson's control of his arms but Johnson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Johnson working for submissions but it's allowed Fatu to get to half guard.
Johnson controlling the position for now.
Fatu working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fatu trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Fatu misses with a head shot. Johnson uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vaimaa Fatu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vaimaa Fatu's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fatu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fatu lands the left hand.
Johnson slips under a jab from Fatu.
Fatu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fatu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Fatu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fatu, right into the meat.
Fatu throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fatu just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Fatu's head but Fatu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Fatu misses its intended target.
Johnson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fatu counters with a thumping low kick.
Johnson stuns Fatu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fatu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fatu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fatu misses with a low kick.
Fatu misses with a series of wild punches.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fatu, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fatu misses with a right hand
and Johnson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Fatu really felt that one!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fatu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Fatu as he connects with a hook.
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fatu.
Fatu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Carter Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vaimaa Fatu.
Johnson swings for the body but Fatu moves out of range.
Fatu throws a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Jab from Fatu.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fatu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Fatu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Fatu. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Fatu lands a body shot.
Fatu thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Fatu circles away easily
and Fatu counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Fatu counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Fatu shoots in.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Fatu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fatu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Fatu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Johnson finds it's way round the side to connect with Fatu's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fatu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fatu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fatu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Fatu slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Fatu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.

That has opened up Vaimaa Fatu's cut even more.
Johnson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Fatu.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Fatu saw that one coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Fatu is looking to chop away at Johnson's legs.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fatu tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fatu to the ground. Fatu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vaimaa Fatu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vaimaa Fatu's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Johnson misses with a hook
and Fatu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fatu.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fatu manages to avoid it.
Fatu bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Johnson's head.
Fatu throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fatu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Fatu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fatu moves away.
Fatu dips to his left and cracks Johnson with an uppercut!
Johnson with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fatu throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fatu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fatu wants it to stay on the feet.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fatu looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Fatu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Johnson works the jab nicely.
Fatu misses with a looping right.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Fatu lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fatu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fatu lands a jab to the head.
Fatu misses with an uppercut.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fatu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Fatu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Vaimaa Fatu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A swing and a miss from Fatu.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fatu finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Fatu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Fatu, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Fatu misses the jab.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Carter Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice cross by Fatu.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fatu loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fatu tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a left and a right that stings Fatu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Fatu, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Fatu against the cage but Fatu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carter Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a sloppy body shot
and Fatu counters with a head kick. That will keep Johnson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Fatu moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Fatu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fatu misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Fatu circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fatu.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vaimaa Fatu.
Well Fatu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vaimaa Fatu!
A very excited looking Vaimaa Fatu made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.