PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Greek Gyros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gyros might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Greek Gyros. Johnson has chosen Mission Impossible 2 (Hate Mix) By Limp bizkit as his entrance music. Greek Gyros could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kyle Johnson's chin.

Gyros
vs
Johnson

225 cm
34
300 lbs
8 - 18 - 1

198 cm
30
289 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Greek Gyros!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kyle Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gyros looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.

Gyros closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
Gyros perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gyros seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Johnson for as long as he can get away with.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Greek Gyros.

Gyros is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gyros looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gyros decides to stand up.

Gyros moves into the clinch successfully.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Gyros won't allow it.

Gyros jumps guard and drags Johnson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gyros trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gyros wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Gyros looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Johnson stops Gyros from standing up.
Gyros controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.

We're going to have a standup here because Greek Gyros wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gyros will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gyros throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Gyros. Gyros gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gyros misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gyros fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greek Gyros. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Greek Gyros has been cut.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gyros is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Gyros circles away and we're back to standing.
Gyros lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gyros avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gyros shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gyros's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gyros throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Gyros tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gyros somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gyros with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gyros is breathing heavily.
Gyros tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Gyros saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gyros tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Gyros's guard.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Gyros will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Johnson is stalling in the full guard.
Gyros looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson prevents Gyros from getting back to his feet.
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 Greek Gyros will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Greek Gyros'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.

A bone on bone clash there as Johnson blocks the leg kick.
Gyros shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Gyros is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Johnson keeping control of the position.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Gyros is controlling him
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gyros in particular looking to stall.
Johnson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Gyros has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Gyros looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gyros throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Johnson because Gyros loaded up on that one.
Gyros tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Johnson trying desperately to get to his feet.
Gyros tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greek Gyros overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Greek Gyros wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Gyros shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Gyros's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson dives in and grabs Gyros's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gyros pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.

Gyros shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gyros showed some decent athleticism there.
Johnson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gyros jumps into side control!
Gyros controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gyros wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Gyros tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gyros is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greek Gyros dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Greek Gyros's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gyros closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gyros is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Gyros manages to get underhooks.
Johnson wants to take the fight to the mat but Gyros manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Gyros breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gyros fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Gyros is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gyros gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Gyros trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gyros looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gyros has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

We're going to have a standup here because Greek Gyros wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gyros shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Gyros's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greek Gyros. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gyros closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Gyros dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Gyros's head and hops out.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Greek Gyros seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gyros tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Gyros is looking for a takedown.
Gyros is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gyros is looking for a takedown.
Gyros tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Gyros is looking for a takedown.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gyros just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gyros tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gyros throws an elbow but misses.

Gyros lands a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gyros wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gyros wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gyros controls the pace.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Greek Gyros just wasn't active enough.

Gyros closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gyros lands in his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greek Gyros clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Greek Gyros's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gyros shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
Gyros doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Gyros fights it but they end up in guard.
Gyros looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Johnson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Gyros looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gyros is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.

Gyros kicks Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gyros misses with a double jab.
Gyros shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greek Gyros. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gyros.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Gyros.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gyros.
Greek Gyros is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gyros fails with the takedown
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gyros shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gyros fails with a takedown attempt.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Gyros is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gyros tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gyros is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gyros wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Poor strikes thrown by Johnson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gyros wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Gyros is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Gyros really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gyros is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Gyros wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Gyros is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Johnson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Greek Gyros's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gyros closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gyros keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gyros's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Gyros decides to stand and escape the position.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Gyros shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gyros is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gyros trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gyros controlling from the top position.
Gyros slips nicely into half guard.
Gyros 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.
Gyros is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gyros is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Greek Gyros.
Gyros misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gyros.
Gyros fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greek Gyros. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Horrible takedown by Gyros or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson which made him look bad.
Gyros shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Gyros keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Gyros sprawls well.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Gyros, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Gyros moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Gyros. Gyros gets slowly back to his feet.

Gyros closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Gyros getting side control.
Gyros slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.
Kyle Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gyros perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Greek Gyros showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gyros has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Greek Gyros!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Greek Gyros!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Greek Gyros!

Greek Gyros wins by unanimous decision!
Greek Gyros very nearly forgot to thank Das Labor amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.