PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigo has chosen Da Rockwilder as his entrance music. Matt Rodrigo struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Matt Rodrigo enters the cage!

Johnson
vs
Rodrigo

186 cm
20
174 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Rodrigo!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigo fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodrigo.
Matt Rodrigo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodrigo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodrigo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Rodrigo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodrigo with a poor takedown

and Johnson counters with a single leg into guard. Rodrigo didn't expect that.
John Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Rodrigo.
Rodrigo keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Rodrigo keeps moving.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Rodrigo keeps moving.
Rodrigo working a defensive guard here.
Johnson pushes down on Rodrigo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.

Johnson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Rodrigo is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Rodrigo looks gassed!

Johnson get's back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a poor takedown

and Rodrigo moves into the clinch.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rodrigo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rodrigo has Johnson pushed against the cage.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodrigo.
Rodrigo is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rodrigo gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Rodrigo jumps into guard, dragging Johnson to the mat.

Rodrigo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Johnson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Rodrigo clinches but Johnson breaks the clinch

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodrigo's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigo is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Rodrigo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rodrigo pulls Johnson in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson won't allow Rodrigo to sweep him here.
Rodrigo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodrigo pulls Johnson in close to prevent any damage.
Rodrigo looking to control.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodrigo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Rodrigo is looking to land body kicks.

That's four 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.
Rodrigo tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodrigo fails with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.

Johnson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rodrigo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rodrigo tries to improve position but can't.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rodrigo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson is staying active underneath Rodrigo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rodrigo tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Rodrigo has his takedown stuffed

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rodrigo!
Johnson misses with a head shot.

Johnson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rodrigo has worked his arm free - good work by Rodrigo!

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson tries for a kimura but Rodrigo is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson taking a break here but Rodrigo is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Rodrigo dodges it nicely.
Rodrigo tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson controlling the action here.

Johnson stands up out of the half guard.
Rodrigo misses with a takedown

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rodrigo won't be happy with that.
John Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Rodrigo.
Rodrigo is trying to improve his position.
John Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodrigo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Rodrigo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

Rodrigo working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Rodrigo managing to control the position.
Johnson advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Rodrigo gets back to full guard.
Johnson trying to control but Rodrigo is working from the bottom.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Rodrigo.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rodrigo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson passes Rodrigo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

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.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rodrigo!
Johnson wants to control the pace but Rodrigo is squirming around nicely.
Rodrigo has given up his back.

Rodrigo is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Johnson gets his way!

Johnson has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rodrigo has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Johnson working for the choke.

Rodrigo preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Johnson dominated that second 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 gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson looking to control.
Rodrigo trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnson working for a triangle but Rodrigo defends it easily.
Rodrigo preventing the sweep.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rodrigo manages to get himself to full guard.
Rodrigo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson passes Rodrigo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rodrigo is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson wants to advance to full mount but Rodrigo doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rodrigo keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodrigo has wrist control.
Rodrigo keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson passes Rodrigo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Rodrigo is working to get back to half guard.
Johnson is trying to control here but Rodrigo has managed to regain half guard.
Rodrigo tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rodrigo is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Rodrigo is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rodrigo has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Rodrigo is not content to let Johnson control the position.

Johnson seems to be looking for submissions.
Johnson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Rodrigo is defending it quite comfortably.

Johnson is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Rodrigo as he works his way to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson prevents Rodrigo from getting back to his feet.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson passes Rodrigo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rodrigo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Rodrigo is defending well.
Matt Rodrigo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson is taking a breather. Rodrigo 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Johnson!