PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Macca Outback (ranked 45 p4p, 195 weight class) and Kareem Johnson (ranked 5 p4p, 32 weight class). 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.

Outback
vs
Johnson

188 cm
28
193
20 - 4 - 0

186 cm
28
189
17 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

SynCity Fightwear
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Akuma Wear
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Macca Outback!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kareem Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot by Johnson.
Outback throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kareem Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Outback looks to throw a body kick
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson is looking to slow Outback down with leg kicks.
Outback misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Outback avoids it with no problem.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Johnson avoids a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Outback was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Outback misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Outback has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Outback is able to avoid easily.
Outback steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Outback uses good head movement to avoid it.
Outback jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Outback lands with a right to the head.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson presses Outback against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short left from Johnson.
Outback working aggressively here.
Outback misses with a punch on the inside.
Outback misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Outback blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Outback.
Outback digs a right hand underneath Johnson's ribcage. Johnson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Outback blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Outback breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Outback chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson tries to clinch but Outback is having none of it.
Good exchange - Johnson coming out on top.
Outback throws a right hand that misses
and Outback takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Outback throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Johnson throws a leg kick which misses Outback's front leg but catches the back leg as Outback tries to avoid it.
Outback tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Johnson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Outback throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Outback counters with a left to the body.
Outback throws a body shot but no joy.
Outback rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Outback finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Outback checks a leg kick nicely.
Outback swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Outback moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Outback, as that shot connected.

It looks like Kareem Johnson has been cut.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Outback.
Outback moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a hook but Outback avoids it easily.
Outback blocks a jab.
Outback throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Outback tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Outback.
Johnson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Outback had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Outback.
A slapping leg kick lands for Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Outback ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
And Outback counters with a quick kick to the body but Johnson blocks it.
Outback ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Outback was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Outback checks a leg kick nicely.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kareem Johnson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Outback takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Outback swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Outback avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Outback tried to counter with a leg kick but Johnson avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Outback avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Johnson has Outback up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Outback lands with a left to the head.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Outback.
Outback tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Outback working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Outback up against the cage.
Johnson tries to work over Outback's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Outback is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Outback struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Outback's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Outback lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Outback misses with the head strike.
Johnson misses with a body punch.

Outback escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Outback manages to avoid it.
It looked like Outback wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Johnson checks the leg kick.
Outback misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Outback to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson lands with a hook. Outback tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Outback sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Outback feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Outback. That did some damage!
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Outback moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Outback misses its intended target.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Outback ducks down to avoid it.
Kareem Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Outback throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Outback takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Outback's head back.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Outback is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Outback misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Outback jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson throws the left hand but Outback avoids the punch easily.
Outback fires out a quick counter leg kick but Johnson just manages to avoid it.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Outback sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Outback takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Outback shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Outback is looking to counter punch.
Johnson with a jab.
Outback scores with a leg kick.
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 throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Outback throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Outback slips under a jab from Johnson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kareem Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Outback pushes him off.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand
and Outback counters with a low kick, right behind Johnson 's knee.
Outback throws a chopping leg kick but Johnson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Outback tries to move into range but Johnson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Outback uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Outback moves away and avoids it.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Outback blocks a leg kick.
Outback swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Outback keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson moves forwards but Outback connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.

Johnson clinches up with Outback and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kareem Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Outback letting Johnson take a breather here.
Outback tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Outback turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Outback struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Outback controls his hands.
Outback throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson lands a left hand.
Outback misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Outback.
A body shot lands from Outback.
Johnson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Outback lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Outback on the inside.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Outback.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Outback tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Outback throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Outback lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Outback scores with a nice hook to the head.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson keeps control of Outback as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Outback can't find room to land a body shot as Johnson controls the action.
Johnson looking to slow down the pace here.
Outback prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Outback.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Outback avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Outback misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Outback.
Johnson tries a body shot but Outback blocks it.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Outback is keeping busy.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Outback.
Outback fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Outback forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Macca Outback has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kareem Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson gets through Outback's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Outback breaks the clinch.
Outback paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That has opened up Kareem Johnson's cut even more.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Outback checks a leg kick.
Outback tried to counter with a leg kick but Johnson avoided it.
Outback scores with a shot to the body.
Johnson misses the body punch
and Outback counters with a leg kick.
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 tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Outback is able to avoid easily.
Outback lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Outback slips under a jab from Johnson.
Outback throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Outback blocks it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Macca Outback did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Kareem Johnson's cut.
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.

Outback thuds his right hand into Johnson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Johnson tries a low kick but Outback avoids it.
Johnson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Outback scores with a counter punch that sends Johnson to the canvas! Outback smells blood - he's punishing Johnson with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Johnson has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Macca Outback!
Macca Outback retains his middleweight title!
In his post fight interview, Macca Outback started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.