PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dallas Cleveland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tony Johnson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cleveland
vs
Johnson

171 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

189 cm
24
199 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dallas Cleveland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Russell Pearce and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cleveland shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Cleveland tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Cleveland tightens his grip and picks Johnson up, before dumping him to the ground. Johnson manages to land in guard.

Cleveland decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!

Johnson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cleveland's guard.
Cleveland wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cleveland looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cleveland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cleveland controlling the position.
Cleveland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson is looking to pass into half guard but Cleveland pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Cleveland is in guard.

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.
Cleveland postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Cleveland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cleveland could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Cleveland isn't so interested in that idea.
Cleveland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cleveland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cleveland 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.

Cleveland gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
Cleveland dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cleveland shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Cleveland finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cleveland.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Cleveland trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cleveland looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cleveland stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cleveland.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Johnson has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Cleveland is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Johnson tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Cleveland manages to move to mount!
Cleveland throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Johnson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cleveland throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Johnson because Cleveland loaded up on that one.
Johnson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dallas Cleveland dominated that round.
That's time! Cleveland's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Cleveland's guard.
Cleveland wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cleveland swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Cleveland is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Cleveland looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cleveland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cleveland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cleveland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Johnson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cleveland dives on top into guard.

Johnson is looking to stand back up but Cleveland counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Johnson.
Cleveland prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Cleveland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cleveland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
Cleveland thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Cleveland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cleveland thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Cleveland prevents Johnson from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cleveland looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cleveland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cleveland somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dallas Cleveland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.

Johnson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cleveland manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Johnson has Cleveland in his guard.

Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cleveland is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dallas Cleveland will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Cleveland, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cleveland shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Cleveland tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Johnson defends well and Cleveland ends up having to push Johnson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dallas Cleveland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cleveland tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Cleveland tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cleveland.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Cleveland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Despite the aggression on Johnson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tony Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Johnson moves into the clinch.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cleveland regains guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cleveland controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Cleveland is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cleveland manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Cleveland's guard.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Cleveland pushes Johnson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cleveland or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson, which made it look bad.
Cleveland tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Cleveland is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Johnson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Cleveland keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cleveland knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cleveland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Cleveland works to full guard.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cleveland is keeping the position for now.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Johnson stands and throws Cleveland's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Johnson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cleveland knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tony Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson lands an elbow.
Cleveland is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Johnson off and has taken his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson is trying to stand back up.
Dallas Cleveland is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cleveland is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Johnson is defending well though. Cleveland let's go of the attempt for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cleveland 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dallas Cleveland!