PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edison Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Medereson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnston
vs
Medereson

158 cm
20
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edison Johnston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Josh Medereson!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Chad Campbell and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Medereson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Medereson trying to control the position but Johnston is working away.
Johnston is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The ground and pound from Medereson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Medereson tries to stand but Johnston controls the position and pulls Medereson into his guard.
Johnston keeping moving, preventing Medereson from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Josh Medereson wasn't active enough on the ground.

Johnston tries to sprawl but Medereson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Medereson is pressing down on Johnston's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnston is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medereson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Johnston could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Medereson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Medereson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnston tries to get to full guard but Medereson has control of the leg.
Medereson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medereson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Johnston to regain full guard.
Medereson trying to control but Johnston is working from the bottom.
Medereson throwing strikes from guard but Johnston blocks nicely.
Johnston is trying to keep Medereson in close.
Medereson is fighting to break Johnston's control of his arms but Johnston is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Edison Johnston just wasn't active enough.

Medereson closes the distance and clinches.

Medereson drags the fight down to the ground.
Medereson trying to keep a closed guard but Johnston is proving a slippery customer.
Johnston content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Medereson wants to get back to his feet but Johnston is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Medereson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Medereson has closed the distance and engaged Johnston in a clinch.

Medereson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Medereson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Johnston has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Medereson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnston wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medereson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Josh Medereson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Johnston gets tackled into the cage by Medereson. Medereson maintains the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnston is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Medereson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Medereson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnston.
Medereson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edison Johnston. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnston drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnston is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Medereson looking to sit in guard and control but Johnston gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medereson working a defensive guard here.

Medereson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnston is aware though and is defending well.
Johnston throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Medereson working for submissions but it's allowed Johnston to get to half guard.
Medereson wants to control but Johnston is keeping busy.
Medereson tries to get to full guard but Johnston has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medereson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnston is working away from the top position though.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Josh Medereson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Medereson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnston sprawls well initially but Medereson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnston wants to improve his position but Medereson is controlling well.
Johnston is looking to control Medereson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnston avoid being mounted?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnston is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Medereson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Medereson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Johnston!
Johnston is not content to let Medereson control the position.

Medereson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Johnston rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Medereson's guard! Nice work there by Johnston!
Medereson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Josh Medereson wasn't active enough on the ground.

Medereson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Medereson wants to stand up but Johnston has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Medereson is just content to waste time from the top position. Johnston takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Medereson throws a strike but Johnston rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medereson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnston is one step ahead there.
Medereson is striking but Johnston is not phased and passes to half guard.
Medereson is trying to maintain the position but Johnston is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Medereson has one foot on Johnston's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Josh Medereson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Medereson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnston to the mat! Johnston manages to get full guard.
Medereson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Johnston manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Johnston throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medereson working a defensive guard here.
Medereson wants to stand up but Johnston is controlling him.
Medereson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Medereson is looking to sweep but instead, Johnston has passed into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Medereson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Medereson 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Medereson!