PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takao Ledou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ledou
vs
Johnson

188 cm
23
196 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

186 cm
19
184 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Takao Ledou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Ledou misses the shot to the body.
Ledou tries to clinch but Johnson moves away

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johnson.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ledou avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Ledou breaks from the clinch.
Ledou tries to clinch

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson won't allow Ledou to get back to his feet.

Ledou is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Ledou preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ledou utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ledou working a defensive guard but Johnson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Johnson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Johnson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson stands up and beckons Ledou to his feet.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Ledou tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Johnson slips a straight right by Ledou.
Ledou fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takao Ledou is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ledou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Ledou avoids them all with ease.
Ledou closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ledou throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Ledou misses with a knee to the head.

Johnson jumps guard.

Johnson scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Ledou back into the cage.
Ledou keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Ledou with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledou has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ledou with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ledou is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Johnson is trying to drag Ledou to the mat but Ledou just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ledou working hard to break the clinch.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Ledou should have avoided that one.
Ledou tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Johnson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ledou has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.

Ledou is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ledou pulls his leg out and moves away.
Takao Ledou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Johnson.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Ledou tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice sprawl there from Ledou as Johnson shoots in.
A right-left combo lands from Johnson.
Ledou tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.

Johnson moves into the clinch.

Johnson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Ledou manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Ledou is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ledou is trying to keep Johnson in close.
Ledou is breathing heavily.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up in Ledou's guard and throws a big left but Ledou blocks it.
Ledou is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Ledou is retaining full guard.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson throws a right hand that Ledou ducks under and follows up with a left that Ledou also avoids with ease.
Johnson shoots in but Ledou avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ledou misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ledou wants to clinch but Johnson slips to the side

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ledou!
Ledou is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Ledou is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson won't allow Ledou to get back to his feet.
Ledou preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ledou is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Ledou not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ledou looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson gets a clinch.

Johnson pulls Ledou into guard.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Ledou trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.
Johnson pulls Ledou in to control the position.
Johnson is looking to stand back up but Ledou counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Johnson.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Ledou has control of the leg.
Ledou stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Ledou wants to stand but Johnson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Ledou.
Ledou tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ledou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ledou keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johnson misses with a combination
and Ledou counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but Ledou sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ledou wants to clinch.
Takao Ledou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson throws a low kick but Ledou avoids it.
Ledou stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ledou wants it to stay on the feet.
Ledou tries to clinch

and Johnson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ledou creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A knee to the head by Ledou.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ledou is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Takao Ledou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ledou using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ledou pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ledou checks a low kick from Johnson.
Ledou tries to clinch but Johnson moves away

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ledou just stands there and leans against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.

Johnson rushes Ledou and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson prevents Ledou from breaking the clinch.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ledou misses with a knee strike.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Ledou manages to get underhooks.
Johnson avoiding damage as Ledou throws knees to the body.
Ledou throws an elbow but it misses.
Ledou wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Johnson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson is trying to hold Ledou in close to prevent damage but Ledou has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Ledou is controlling him well.
Ledou wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson is trying to stand.

Ledou decides to stand and escape the position.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Ledou moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Ledou displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Ledou wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ledou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Johnson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ledou keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Ledou won't allow it.

Johnson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ledou regains guard immediately.

Johnson stands and steps away. Ledou gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ledou tries to clinch but Johnson moves away
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Ledou will be more careful next time no doubt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ledou lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Johnson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Johnson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ledou looks to clinch
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ledou tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson dives in and grabs Ledou's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ledou pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Ledou fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Ledou moves away and avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ledou tries to clinch but Johnson moves away
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Ledou shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ledou counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Ledou.
Ledou looks to clinch
and Johnson counters with a left and a right that stings Ledou.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson can't break the clinch.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ledou avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Takao Ledou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Johnson.
Ledou tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ledou misses with a knee strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Ledou manages to get underhooks.
Johnson prevents Ledou from breaking the clinch.

Johnson pulls guard effortlessly.
Ledou wanted to stand there but Johnson had control of the position.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
John Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is wriggling around but Ledou manages to pass to half guard.
Ledou is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Johnson tries to roll over but Ledou keeps him under control.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ledou jumps into side control!
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ledou. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ledou decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ledou checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ledou tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ledou sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Ledou's head.
Johnson shoots in but no luck this time.

Ledou clinches.
Ledou misses with a knee strike.
Ledou taking a breather.
Johnson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Johnson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ledou is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Ledou has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ledou gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.

Johnson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ledou is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Ledou keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Ledou looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

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