PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rhys Herbert (ranked 4616 p4p, 4585 weight class) and Jake Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen hisssss as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Herbert
vs
Johnson

175 cm
21
165
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
165
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rhys Herbert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jake Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Hugh Johnson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Herbert on his heels. He'll look to pass Herbert's guard now, I'm sure.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Herbert wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Herbert trying to control from the bottom.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Herbert wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herbert tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Herbert trying to control from the bottom.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson working Herbert over with strikes.
Herbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herbert's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson winds up and cracks Herbert with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Herbert is breathing heavily.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Herbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Herbert knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Johnson on the ground.

Herbert looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson winds up and cracks Herbert with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herbert's head.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Herbert's hands, connecting with Herbert's forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herbert's head.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Herbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson working Herbert over with strikes.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Herbert tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots but Herbert is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Herbert is trying to control but can't.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Johnson working Herbert over with strikes.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.
Herbert pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herbert is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson throwing shots but Herbert is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson throwing shots but Herbert is blocking nicely.
Herbert is trying to get back to full guard.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Herbert tries to sprawl but Johnson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Herbert is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herbert avoid being mounted?
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Herbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Herbert is positioning himself well to prevent Johnson advancing to mount.
Herbert has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Herbert trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Herbert defending well though.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Herbert defending well though.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Johnson working over Herbert with some ground and pound. Herbert looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Herbert with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herbert's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Herbert trying to control but Johnson postures up.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Herbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Herbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Herbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Herbert dodges it nicely.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Herbert is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herbert avoid being mounted?
Herbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Jake Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Herbert is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herbert avoid being mounted?
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herbert's head.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Herbert with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson winds up and cracks Herbert with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Herbert trying to control from the bottom.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Herbert is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson throwing shots but Herbert is blocking nicely.
Herbert wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Herbert defending well though.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Herbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Herbert gets back to full guard.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Herbert's head.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Herbert has wrist control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson tries for a takedown but Herbert circles away easily

and Herbert counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Herbert.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Herbert.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Herbert looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Herbert.
The referee is keeping an eye on Herbert - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herbert misses with a knee strike.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Herbert uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Herbert is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Herbert.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Herbert goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Herbert tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Herbert to the ground. Herbert escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Herbert dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Herbert jumps guard.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Herbert manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

Johnson is looking to stand up but Herbert isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Herbert passes into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Herbert is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herbert is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Johnson is trying to stand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herbert lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rhys Herbert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Johnson.
Herbert leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Herbert.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Herbert shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.

Herbert clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Herbert.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Johnson lands a nice uppercut.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Herbert tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
Herbert is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Herbert.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Herbert.
Jake Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Herbert has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rhys Herbert.
I think Johnson 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight for Jake Johnson!
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Jake Johnson!
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight for Jake Johnson!

Jake Johnson wins by unanimous decision!
Jake Johnson was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.