PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kj Barakus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Johnson's choice of entrance music: lunatic fringe. Michael Johnson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Barakus
vs
Johnson

183 cm
25
200 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

185 cm
29
210 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kj Barakus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barakus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Barakus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick misses from Johnson.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Barakus!
Johnson unloads with some shots from mount but Barakus bucks and avoids them well.
Johnson looking to control but Barakus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Barakus tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Barakus blocking the ground and pound.

Johnson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Barakus is on top in guard.
Barakus works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barakus tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Barakus wants to stand but Johnson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Barakus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barakus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Barakus slips an elbow through the middle.

Johnson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barakus stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Johnson shoots in but Barakus avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnson fails with the takedown
and Barakus counters with a head kick. That will keep Johnson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Kj Barakus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Johnson.
Barakus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barakus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barakus uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Barakus stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barakus wants it to stay on the feet.
Barakus shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.

Barakus shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Barakus finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Barakus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Barakus eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Barakus is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barakus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Barakus eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson gets full guard.

Barakus got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Barakus has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barakus defends well.

Barakus 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.
Barakus looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barakus looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Barakus has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson pushing down on Barakus's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Barakus's thigh. Barakus counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Barakus keeps moving.
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 Kj Barakus will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Barakus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.

Barakus is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barakus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Barakus is controlling him

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Barakus 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.
Johnson is not content to let Barakus control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Johnson is looking to escape.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barakus wants to work for an arm triangle but Johnson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Barakus is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Barakus is really struggling to control Johnson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Barakus is very close to passing his half guard.
Barakus works his way into side control.
Barakus wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.
Barakus passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Johnson!

Barakus looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Johnson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barakus is pulling down on Johnson's head to control his posture.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Barakus gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Barakus 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.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Barakus from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kj Barakus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Barakus defends easily.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barakus passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Barakus asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Barakus tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Barakus has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barakus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Barakus lands a decent elbow from side control.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Barakus's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barakus wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet.

Barakus swings around for an armbar but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Barakus's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kj Barakus dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.

Barakus has his foot on Johnson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnson works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Barakus has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Barakus looking to control but Johnson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Barakus pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Barakus maintains control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barakus has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Johnson's face.
Johnson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Barakus working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Johnson turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Barakus off and cradles Johnson's limp body as Barakus celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Kj Barakus!
Kj Barakus thanked the fans post fight for their support.