PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randall Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Gillingham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Im a playa. Gary Gillingham will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Johnson
vs
Gillingham

195 cm
24
267 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

210 cm
20
280 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Rusty Cage Fightwear
Fortitude Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Randall Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gary Gillingham!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gillingham throws a big shot that misses.
Gillingham misses with a looping right.
Gillingham throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Gillingham throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Gillingham misses the target.
Gillingham misses with a few strikes there.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gillingham.
Gillingham throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.

Johnson moves into the clinch.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Gillingham misses the jab.
Gillingham throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillingham misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson takes a swing at Gillingham's ribcage but misses.
Gillingham misses the jab.
Gillingham throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Gillingham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gillingham misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Gillingham scores with a nice strike.

It looks like Randall Johnson has been cut.
Gillingham misses with a wild combination.
Gillingham looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Gillingham is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson is looking to pass Gillingham's guard but actually Gillingham recovers to full guard.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Gillingham keeps moving.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gillingham looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Johnson trying to control but Gillingham is working from the bottom.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gillingham is trying to buck Johnson off.
Johnson taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gary Gillingham will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Randall 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.

Gillingham keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gillingham misses with a wild combination.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Gillingham.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gillingham, as that shot connected.
Gillingham throws a one two combo.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gillingham keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillingham working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Gillingham is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Randall Johnson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Gillingham off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Johnson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gillingham is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gillingham has escaped and now he's on top!
Gillingham stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson is trying to hold Gillingham in close to prevent damage but Gillingham has managed to pass into half guard.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.

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 preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Johnson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Johnson is pressing down on Gillingham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gillingham being controlled here momentarily.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gary Gillingham will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gillingham throws out a powerful jab.
Gillingham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gillingham misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.

Johnson has Gillingham up against the cage in a clinch.
Gillingham misses with some punches.
Gillingham prevents the takedown attempt.
A right hand to the body from Johnson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson has Gillingham pressed against the cage, preventing Gillingham from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
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 Gillingham walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gillingham.
Gillingham misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson has closed the distance and engaged Gillingham in a clinch.

Johnson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Johnson 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.
Johnson is trying to keep Gillingham in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Gillingham is having none of it.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
Gillingham tries to reverse the position but Johnson maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Johnson controlling from the full mount.

Johnson working for a submission but Gillingham is keeping him at bay.

That's four 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.
Gillingham is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson controlling his opponent.

Johnson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Gillingham is surviving well by controlling Johnson's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gary Gillingham just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gillingham!
Gillingham throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gillingham throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gillingham stuffs the takedown.
Gillingham misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gillingham throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gillingham connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Randall Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Gillingham misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gary Gillingham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gillingham.
A combination from Gillingham does no damage.
Gillingham throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Gillingham throws a big shot that misses.

Johnson lands a big head kick that sends Gillingham tumbling to the mat! Johnson takes a step backwards and waves Gillingham back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Gary Gillingham has been cut.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Gillingham is rocked!
Gillingham is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Johnson controlling from side mount.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gillingham keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gillingham avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Johnson.

Johnson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Johnson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gillingham regains half guard, as Johnson was trying to land strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Gillingham is working away.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four 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.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson is taking a breather. Gillingham says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gillingham trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Randall Johnson will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

Gillingham connects with the punch.
Johnson tries to clinch but Gillingham is having none of it.
Gillingham misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson defending well as Gillingham loads up on a big left hand.
Gillingham pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gillingham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gillingham misses with a straight right.
Gillingham throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Gillingham waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Gillingham might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Gillingham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gary Gillingham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gillingham did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Gillingham is working away.

Gillingham is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Gillingham is defending well.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson slows the pace down in half guard.
Gillingham is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gillingham keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson is pressing down on Gillingham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gillingham is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gary Gillingham.
I think Gillingham 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Gary Gillingham!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Randall Johnson!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Gary Gillingham!

Gary Gillingham wins by split decision!
Gary Gillingham is the new heavyweight champion!