PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Willian Atkinson (ranked 5369 p4p, 0 weight class) and Crumbum Johnson (ranked 3491 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Queen We are the Champions kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Atkinson
vs
Johnson

181 cm
21
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Willian Atkinson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Crumbum Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots and misses
and Atkinson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Atkinson dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Atkinson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Atkinson.
Atkinson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Atkinson goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Willian Atkinson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Atkinson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Atkinson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson is not content to let Atkinson control the position.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Atkinson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnson sees it coming and defends easily.

Atkinson is working for a submission of some sort.
Johnson trying to control but Atkinson postures up.
Johnson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Atkinson is staying active.

Johnson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Atkinson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Atkinson counters with a leg kick.
Atkinson blocks the body kick.
Crumbum Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

It looks like Willian Atkinson has been cut.

Atkinson gets the takedown into side control.
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 is trying to improve his position.

Atkinson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
And Atkinson counters with a quick kick to the body but Johnson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Atkinson gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.

Atkinson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.

Johnson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Atkinson is on him like a limpet, forcing Johnson back against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Atkinson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson crunches a lovely knee into Atkinson's ribcage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Atkinson tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
Johnson jumps guard but Atkinson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Atkinson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Atkinson stops a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Atkinson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Atkinson tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Atkinson back against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Atkinson dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Atkinson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crumbum Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Willian Atkinson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Atkinson slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Atkinson but Atkinson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It looked like Atkinson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Atkinson takes the fight into the clinch.

Johnson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Atkinson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Atkinson manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Atkinson, which made it look bad.
Willian Atkinson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Crumbum Johnson.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Atkinson counters with a nice body kick.

Atkinson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Atkinson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Atkinson gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.

Atkinson has Johnson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Atkinson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Johnson tumbling to the mat - Atkinson dives into Johnson's guard.

Atkinson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Atkinson counters with a leg kick.
Atkinson stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

Atkinson shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Atkinson wanted to stand there but Johnson had control of the position.
Atkinson trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Atkinson gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.

Atkinson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Atkinson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Atkinson pinned against the cage. Atkinson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Atkinson avoids them all with ease.
Atkinson misses with a takedown
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson is looking to clinch but Atkinson is avoiding it.
Atkinson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willian Atkinson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Willian Atkinson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Atkinson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atkinson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Atkinson counters with a big head kick but Johnson shrugs it off.
Johnson throws a head kick but Atkinson moves out of range.
Atkinson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Atkinson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Atkinson circles away.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Atkinson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Atkinson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAtkinson.

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Atkinson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Atkinson trying to land knees to the body.
A short left from Atkinson.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Atkinson walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Willian Atkinson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Crumbum Johnson.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Atkinson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Atkinson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Johnson stuns Atkinson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Willian Atkinson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Atkinson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Atkinson is now in Johnson's guard.
Atkinson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling the position.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Atkinson from controlling successfully.
Atkinson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

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

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Atkinson decides to pull guard.
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!
Atkinson pulls Johnson in close to prevent any damage.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Atkinson is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Atkinson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Atkinson keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Atkinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Atkinson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Johnson just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAtkinson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Atkinson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Atkinson swivels and escapes.
Johnson throws a leg kick

and Atkinson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Atkinson.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Johnson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Crumbum Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Crumbum Johnson!
Post fight, an emotional Crumbum Johnson said 'CHAMPIONS!'.