PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Cobra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen tribal entrance as his entrance music. The key to victory for Rocky Cobra has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cobra
vs
Johnson

180 cm
19
187 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
192 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rocky Cobra!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leo Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson moves out of range as Cobra strikes.
Some wild striking there from Cobra.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cobra uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Cobra is blocking nicely.
Johnson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Johnson misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Cobra is blocking nicely.
Johnson unloads with some shots from mount but Cobra bucks and avoids them well.
Johnson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Cobra tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson lands a heavy elbow.

It looks like Rocky Cobra has been cut.
Johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Cobra is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
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 throwing strikes here but Cobra is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Johnson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Cobra is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cobra tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Johnson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Cobra is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Johnson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Johnson working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Cobra slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Rocky Cobra's cut is getting worse.
Johnson prevents Cobra from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Cobra dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson throws a strike but Cobra avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Cobra tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cobra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cobra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson postures up in Cobra's guard and throws a big left but Cobra blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cobra throws a combination. Johnson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Leo Johnson has been cut.

Cobra gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cobra is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cobra controlling the position.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Cobra is keeping the position.
Johnson throws and elbow that misses. Cobra uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Cobra!
Cobra won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cobra sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cobra avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Cobra won't allow it.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cobra is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cobra avoid being mounted?
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Johnson dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cobra dodges the ground and pound from Johnson.
Cobra parries the strikes from Johnson easily there. Johnson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cobra to escape.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Johnson prevents Cobra from escaping the position.
Cobra dodges the ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson throws a strike aimed at the side of Cobra's head but Cobra avoids it well.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cobra down.
Johnson working the strikes but Cobra uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Cobra avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson working Cobra over with strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson with the ground and pound but Cobra uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cobra tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Cobra has wrist control.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Cobra is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cobra's waist but Cobra gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Cobra throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Check out the look on Johnson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cobra is working to avoid the ground and pound but Johnson connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Johnson throwing strikes but Cobra manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Johnson tries to bench press Cobra off him but Cobra keeps the position.
Cobra wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his arm.
Cobra blocks the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cobra slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Johnson.
Johnson missing with punches from the bottom.
Johnson strikes from the bottom but Cobra passes into mount!
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Leo Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Feeble punches landing from Johnson - he's mounted - they can't hurt.
Johnson is in all sorts of trouble here.

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 is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson throwing hammer fists to the chest of Cobra. What's that going to do exactly?
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cobra looking to control but Johnson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Johnson is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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 shoots for a double leg takedown but Cobra sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A slow jab from Cobra misses its intended target.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rocky Cobra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Cobra. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Cobra lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cobra stalks Johnson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Johnson's face. Johnson staggers backwards, shaken.
Cobra misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cobra throws a wild body kick that Johnson sees coming a mile off.
A punch combination from Cobra misses.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cobra's guard.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Cobra has wrist control.
Johnson throws and elbow that misses. Cobra uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Cobra!
Cobra has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Cobra stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cobra manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cobra works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnson is working Cobra over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson stands up over Cobra, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Cobra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cobra wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cobra controlling the position well.
Cobra is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cobra is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Cobra tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Cobra's hands, connecting with Cobra's forehead.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnson stops Cobra from getting back to his feet.
Johnson throwing shots but Cobra is blocking nicely.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cobra defending well though.
Cobra is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cobra avoid being mounted?
Cobra is trying to stand.
Johnson is pressing down on Cobra's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cobra is holding on for now.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Johnson really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Cobra has wrist control.
Johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Cobra is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Cobra blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cobra throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cobra misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cobra is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Cobra circles away and we're back to standing.
Cobra lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cobra throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Cobra, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Cobra against the cage but Cobra circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rocky Cobra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Johnson.
Cobra misses with a hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnson.
Johnson throwing strikes but Cobra manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Cobra tries to advance to mount but Johnson denies him.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cobra tries to stand but Johnson is controlling his head.
Johnson gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson strikes from his own guard.
Johnson trying to strike off his back.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cobra's guard.
Johnson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Cobra has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cobra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cobra's guard.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson is nestled in close to Cobra, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson throws a strike but Cobra avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Johnson works over Cobra with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Johnson dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Cobra shows good takedown defense.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Cobra sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cobra looks to land a combination. Johnson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cobra throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cobra tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cobra to the ground. Cobra escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rocky Cobra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Johnson.
Cobra tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cobra.
Cobra keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cobra swinging wilding here.
Cobra looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
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.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cobra throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Cobra throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cobra looking to control.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Cobra blocks nicely.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Cobra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cobra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson pushing down on Cobra's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnson is nestled in close to Cobra, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two 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 throwing shots but Cobra is blocking nicely.
Cobra trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Cobra dodges it nicely.
Cobra is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cobra with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson is nestled in close to Cobra, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson working over Cobra with some ground and pound. Cobra looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson throwing shots but Cobra is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cobra defending well though.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cobra misses with a double jab.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.
Cobra is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cobra with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rocky Cobra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson with the ground and pound but Cobra uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson throws and elbow that misses. Cobra uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Cobra!
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Cobra from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 45:50
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Johnson!
Leo Johnson is the new middleweight champion!