PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chad Johnson (ranked 5275 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Barton (ranked 24000 p4p, 0 weight class). John Barton is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Johnson
vs
Barton

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
146 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Barton!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson tries to clinch but Barton moves out of range.

Barton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Barton lands in his opponent's guard.
Barton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barton throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.

Barton has gone for a leg lock! Johnson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barton's guard.

Barton 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.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Barton is proving hard to escape from.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barton looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barton has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Johnson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Barton.
Barton is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.

Johnson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barton is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barton is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Barton gets back to half guard.

Barton looking for submissions off his back.
Barton is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barton avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Barton wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Barton trying to control from the bottom.
Johnson controlling the action here.
Barton has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Las Vegas. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Barton tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Barton is not content to let Johnson control the position.

Barton actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barton actively working from the bottom here.
Barton looks winded!
Barton wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson is trying to control. Barton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barton is trying to get back to full guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barton defends it well.
Johnson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Johnson is trying to control. Barton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barton trying to control but Johnson postures up.

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.
Barton tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.

Barton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnson prevents Barton from improving his position.
Well, if Johnson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Johnson wants to stand up but Barton has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Barton sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chad Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Barton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Johnson manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barton connects with a nice short shot to Johnson's temple.
Johnson is looking to control Barton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barton scores with a couple of nice shots.

Barton is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Barton working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Barton is controlling him well.
Barton is breathing heavily.
Johnson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Barton working Johnson over with strikes.

Barton seems to be looking for submissions.
Ground and pound from Barton.
Barton moves nicely into side control.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
John Barton has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barton lands a nice forearm strike.
Barton working away.
Barton landing a few strikes.

Barton goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johnson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Barton but great work by Johnson.
Barton sneaks back into half guard.
Barton tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.

Barton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.

Barton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Barton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.

Barton looking for a kimura from the bottom but Johnson passes into side control!

Johnson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barton has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barton is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Barton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Barton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.
Barton is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson moves nicely into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barton is looking for a sweep.
Barton tries to control but Johnson manages to take his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Barton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Barton tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
Barton wants a takedown but no success here.
Barton is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Chad Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Barton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson pulls guard effortlessly.
Barton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barton working some strikes from top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.

Barton looking for subs off his back but Johnson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Johnson wants to stand up but Barton has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Johnson 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.

Barton actively working from the bottom here.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Barton defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barton is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Barton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barton looking for subs from the bottom but Johnson mounts him!
Barton is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Barton is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barton keeps trying to improve his position.
Johnson with shots to the head and body - Barton looks very uncomfortable down there.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
Barton is just holding on here. Johnson manages to take his back.
Johnson is riding his opponent, not letting Barton buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barton is in bad spot here.
Johnson controls the action.
Barton covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Barton trying to control but not successfully.
Johnson just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barton tries to escape but Johnson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Johnson 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

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