PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arnold Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anders Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Higgins
vs
Johnson

168 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Arnold Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Anders Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Hugh Johnson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with a takedown
letting Higgins counter with a right hand.

Johnson forces Higgins back against the cage and clinches.

Johnson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnson postures up.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Higgins's brow.
Higgins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.
Higgins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stays in close to Higgins's body and controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Higgins.
Johnson leaves Higgins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Higgins avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Higgins continues to drive forward.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Johnson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson goes for a takedown attempt but Higgins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Arnold Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anders Johnson.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Higgins, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Higgins stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Higgins wants it to stay on the feet.
Anders Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higgins is looking to clinch.
Higgins displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into Higgins's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Higgins uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Higgins!

Higgins trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has control of Higgins's left arm, preventing Higgins from doing any damage.

Johnson looking for subs off his back but Higgins has passed one foot through into half guard.
Higgins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson trying to hold on to Higgins's head to control him but Higgins postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Higgins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson is staying active underneath Higgins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson controlling the position well.
Johnson trying to hold on to Higgins's head to control him but Higgins postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anders Johnson dominated that round.
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.

Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Higgins's waist but Higgins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Higgins attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
Higgins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Higgins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Johnson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Higgins has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Johnson but great work by Higgins.
Johnson tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controls the position.
Higgins sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Higgins can't control as he wanted to and Johnson manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Johnson is trying is best to control the position here.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Higgins is controlling well.
Johnson is still trying to improve position.
Higgins is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Anders Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnson is controlling Higgins's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson has Higgins pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson rushes Higgins and presses him up against the cage.
Higgins is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Higgins shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Higgins.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Higgins off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnson is in close to Higgins's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Johnson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anders Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Higgins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Higgins counters with a left and a right that stings Johnson.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Arnold Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anders Johnson.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Higgins to the mat! Higgins manages to get full guard.

Higgins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to move into half guard but instead Higgins has managed to sweep!

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

Higgins drops back, looking for a kneebar! Johnson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Johnson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Johnson!

Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Check out the look on Johnson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgins is being controlled here.
Johnson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Higgins is letting Johnson control him for a moment.
Johnson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Higgins regains half guard.
Higgins wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Johnson is working for an americana but Higgins has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Johnson was thinking about the submission.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Higgins might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Higgins gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Higgins is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Higgins's head.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Arnold Higgins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anders Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Higgins trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anders Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

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