PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kieth Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Van Damme (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kieth Johnson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Johnson
vs
Damme

217 cm
24
159 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kieth Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Van Damme!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Damme moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.

Johnson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Damme to the ground. Johnson is now in Damme's guard.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but instead Damme has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Damme wants to stand and escape but instead Johnson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Damme is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Damme is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Damme for as long as he can get away with.
Johnson postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Damme closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side

and Johnson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Damme effectively controlling the action here.
Damme is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Damme keeps him there for the moment.
Damme is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Damme is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Damme is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Johnson to keep the fight standing.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Johnson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kieth Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Damme.
Damme jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Damme around his waist. Damme gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Damme ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Damme no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Johnson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Damme can't keep his opponent in guard - Johnson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Damme has his hands clasped together around Johnson's back. He's all about the action.
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kieth Johnson.
Damme shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson slows the pace down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Damme prevents Johnson from moving into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson advances to mount.

Johnson wants to finish this one by submission but Damme is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Johnson.
Johnson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Damme is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kieth Johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Johnson clinches up with Damme and pushes him back against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Damme wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Damme dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Damme throws a head kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Damme on that attempt.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Damme sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Damme misses with a series of wild punches.
Damme throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Damme goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damme changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kieth Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Damme.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Damme is breathing heavily.
Johnson wants to free his trapped foot but Damme is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Damme has managed to free his arm - good work.
Johnson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Damme actively working from the bottom here.
Damme is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Damme!
Johnson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Johnson swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kieth Johnson!