PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palhares comes to the cage accompanied by TOQUINHO. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Palhares
vs
Johnson

181 cm
34
171 lbs
38 - 7 - 0

179 cm
34
184 lbs
31 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Palhares.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.

Palhares rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Palhares scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Palhares backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
Palhares tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Palhares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Palhares swings wildly with an uppercut but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson working hard to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares pushes Johnson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Palhares misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Palhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palhares displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
Palhares tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson working hard to break the clinch.
Palhares misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palhares struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Palhares swings wildly with an uppercut but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Palhares.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Palhares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Palhares has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Palhares lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a hook but Palhares blocks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Palhares, right into the meat.
Palhares looks for the body kick but Johnson saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That kick from Johnson tenderised Palhares's leg. Palhares is trying to keep his angry face on.
Palhares throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Good work by Johnson as he checks the leg kick.

Palhares has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Johnson presses Palhares against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Palhares tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Palhares can't find room to land a body shot as Johnson controls the action.
Palhares lands a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson tries a body shot but Palhares blocks it.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Palhares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Palhares.
Palhares lands with a short shot to the head.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Palhares regains guard.
Palhares preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Palhares not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
My spies in Mugler Jiu Jitsu inform me that Johnson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palhares looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Palhares holds on and takes a little breather.
Palhares is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.

Palhares is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Palhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Johnson passes into half guard.
Johnson trying to control the action but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Palhares is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Good exchange - Palhares coming out on top.
Palhares moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Palhares moved away.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Palhares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pluto Palhares dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson dodges the punch combination from Palhares.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick from Johnson misses

and Palhares counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Palhares.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Palhares holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Palhares controls his hands.
Palhares misses with a body punch.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Palhares throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Pluto Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Palhares throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Palhares lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Johnson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Johnson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Johnson throws the left hand but Palhares avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Palhares is looking to score with low kicks.
Palhares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Johnson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Palhares defends well and Johnson ends up having to push Palhares into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Palhares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palhares tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Palhares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Palhares misses with a body punch.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palhares misses with the head strike.
Palhares scores with a hook to the body.
Palhares tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Palhares has double underhooks.
Palhares lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Palhares looking to slow down the pace here.
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Palhares pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slips a jab from Palhares.
Palhares dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Palhares's head and hops out.
Palhares doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Palhares misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Palhares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Palhares but Palhares pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pluto Palhares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Johnson.
Palhares fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Palhares fails with a takedown attempt.
Palhares connects with a crisp jab.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson motions for Palhares to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A slow jab from Palhares misses its intended target.
Palhares throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palhares looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Johnson's leg. Johnson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Palhares clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Palhares pivots, looking for a leg kick but Johnson is out of range and Palhares settles back down.
Palhares shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Palhares lands a head shot.
Palhares wants to land a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Palhares tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palhares manages to avoid it.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Palhares avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Palhares regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Johnson.
Palhares working a defensive guard here.
Palhares wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pluto Palhares dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Palhares misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Palhares.
Palhares tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Johnson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Palhares scoring well with a low kick there.
Palhares moves out of range of the leg kick from Johnson.
A good leg kick by Palhares.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palhares. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Palhares moved out of range.
Palhares lands with a slapping head kick.
Palhares shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A shot to the liver by Palhares. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Palhares ducks down to avoid it.
Palhares tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Johnson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Palhares.
Pluto Palhares is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Palhares jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson throws a body punch but Palhares moves out of range.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Johnson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Palhares.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Palhares tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Palhares's guard.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Johnson being controlled here momentarily.

That's two 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!
Johnson trying to control but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Luke Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Palhares gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson controlling the position.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palhares missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Palhares postures up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Palhares trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Palhares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Palhares there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Palhares lands a leg kick that knocks Johnson off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Palhares.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Palhares sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Palhares sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson throws a body punch but Palhares moves out of range.
Johnson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Palhares's head backwards.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Palhares shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Palhares lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares throws a body kick that misses.
Palhares lands with a kick to the ribs.
Palhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Palhares.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pluto Palhares clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Palhares moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Palhares misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palhares moves away.
Palhares throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palhares attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson motions for Palhares to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palhares tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares scores with a kick to the midsection.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Palhares is out of range and Johnson settles back down.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Palhares makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Palhares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Palhares is keeping the position.
Palhares looking to control.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson trying to control but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Palhares looking to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick by Palhares misses

and Johnson counters with a single leg into guard. Palhares didn't expect that.
Johnson won't allow Palhares to sweep him here.
Palhares is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Palhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palhares preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Palhares seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is in close to Palhares's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.
Palhares swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Palhares trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Palhares dodges it nicely.
Palhares taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Palhares dodges it nicely.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Palhares is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Palhares tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Palhares trying to control here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. Palhares manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Johnson dominated that fourth 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!

Johnson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Palhares counters with a nice uppercut.
Palhares throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Palhares uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Palhares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Palhares misses with a low kick.
Palhares pushes Johnson away with a front kick.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick from Palhares.
Johnson slips a straight right by Palhares.
Nice defenses there by Palhares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Johnson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Palhares.
Johnson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Palhares throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jab from Johnson.
Johnson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Palhares checks it well.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Palhares sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Palhares throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Palhares throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Palhares does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares lands a nice looking body kick.
Palhares shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Palhares's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Palhares avoids it.
Palhares lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Palhares slips under a jab from Johnson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Palhares slips the punch.
Johnson checks a low kick from Palhares.
Luke Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Palhares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Palhares is able to avoid easily.
Palhares throws a chopping leg kick but Johnson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Palhares leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Palhares takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares misses with a looping left.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Palhares lands with a cross.
Palhares takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A head kick misses from Palhares.
Palhares throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Palhares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Palhares jabs at Johnson's body.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson dives in and grabs Palhares's left leg, looking for a takedown. Palhares pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Pluto Palhares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Johnson.
A good leg kick by Palhares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares thumps Johnson with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares wants to clinch.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Palhares.
Johnson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Palhares.

Palhares clinches up against the cage.
Johnson tries a body shot but Palhares blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Palhares lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Palhares.
Johnson wants to break free but Palhares has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johnson tries to break free but Palhares pushes him back against the cage.
A hook to the body from Palhares.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pluto Palhares showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Palhares 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pluto Palhares!
A very excited looking Pluto Palhares 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.