PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Jonhson (ranked 3999 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdul Farooqi (ranked 3681 p4p, 0 weight class). Abdul Farooqi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Jonhson
vs
Farooqi

182 cm
25
156 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mohammed Jonhson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abdul Farooqi!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Farooqi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Jonhson shoots and misses

and Farooqi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Farooqi.

Farooqi manages to pull guard.
Farooqi seems keen to control Jonhson's posture.
Farooqi has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jonhson has passed into side control.
Jonhson tries to stand but Farooqi is controlling his head.
Jonhson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farooqi is not content to let Jonhson control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Farooqi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Farooqi is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Jonhson has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jonhson tries to stand but Farooqi is controlling his head.

Jonhson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Jonhson trying to control the action but Farooqi is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Farooqi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jonhson working away.
Farooqi tries to bench press Jonhson off him but Jonhson keeps the position.

Jonhson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Farooqi tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jonhson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Farooqi is avoiding damage well.
Jonhson advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Farooqi is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Jonhson avoids the attempt from Farooqi to control.
Farooqi is trying desperately to improve position.
Jonhson looking to control but Farooqi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jonhson looking to ground and pound but Farooqi is blocking nicely.
Jonhson misses with a head shot.
Jonhson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Farooqi is looking to escape.

Jonhson has hold of Farooqi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Farooqi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Farooqi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jonhson throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Jonhson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Farooqi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Jonhson counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Farooqi. No joy for Jonhson on that attempt.

Farooqi gets a double leg takedown into Jonhson's guard.
Jonhson is looking to stand up but Farooqi isn't so interested in that idea.
Jonhson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Jonhson keeping moving, preventing Farooqi from controlling successfully.
Farooqi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jonhson working a defensive guard here.
Farooqi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jonhson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Farooqi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Farooqi wants to get up but he can't break Jonhson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Jonhson is trying to hold Farooqi in close to prevent damage but Farooqi has managed to pass into half guard.
Jonhson trying to control here.
Farooqi wants to stand but Jonhson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Jonhson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Jonhson has his foot on Farooqi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Farooqi works his way back into a safe position though.
Jonhson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Farooqi content to stall in guard here.
Farooqi won't allow Jonhson to sweep him here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jonhson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Farooqi.
Jonhson lands a jab to the nose.

Farooqi closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Farooqi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jonhson can't fight it off and eventually Farooqi manages to take the fight to the floor. Jonhson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Farooqi throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jonhson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Farooqi controls the pace.
Farooqi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jonhson working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Farooqi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Jonhson controls Farooqi momentarily but Farooqi frees himself.
Farooqi is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jonhson lands a glancing blow to the side of Farooqi's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Farooqi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. 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.

Jonhson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Farooqi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jonhson's guard.
Jonhson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jonhson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Jonhson keeping full guard, as Farooqi tries to pass.
Farooqi controlling from the top position.

Jonhson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farooqi's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mohammed Jonhson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Jonhson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Farooqi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Farooqi wants to stand but Jonhson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Farooqi stays in close to Jonhson's body and controls the position.

That's two 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.
Jonhson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Farooqi is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Farooqi moves into the clinch.

Farooqi breaks from the clinch.
Farooqi throws a low kick but Jonhson moves out of range easily.
Jonhson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Farooqi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jonhson defends well and Farooqi ends up having to push Jonhson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jonhson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Farooqi tries to avoid it but Jonhson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Farooqi to the ground. Farooqi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jonhson looks for a takedown but Farooqi sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Farooqi feints and as Jonhson raises his hands in defense, Farooqi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jonhson is trying to keep Farooqi in close.
Farooqi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Farooqi wants to pass the guard but Jonhson is keeping the position.
Farooqi passes Jonhson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Farooqi controlling the pace.
Farooqi wants to advance to full mount but Jonhson doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Farooqi looking to pass the guard.
Farooqi is still trying to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Jonhson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Farooqi is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdul Farooqi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Farooqi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdul Farooqi!