PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Stone

174 cm
28
183 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

183 cm
36
183 lbs
11 - 17 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shaun Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Stone!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shaun Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stone. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stone walks into a stiff left hand from Johnson.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Stone circles away easily
and Stone counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Stone bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stone swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stone, right into the meat.
Johnson misses with a body shot
and Stone counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stone is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Stone circles away and we're back to standing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Stone let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Johnson lands with an overhand left.
Stone throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stone stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Stone, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson works Stone's body with a nice hook.
Johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stone looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stone was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stone misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Stone ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Stone avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Stone manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stone is looking to clinch.
Stone throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stone to the ground. Johnson is now in Stone's guard.
Stone looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stone wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson stands up over Stone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stone is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Stone is working from the bottom.
Johnson is really struggling to control Stone but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Johnson postures up.
Stone looking for a sweep. Not yet Stone, not yet.
Stone wants to improve his position but instead Johnson has moved into half guard.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stone's head.
Stone is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Stone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stone is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Johnson has control of Stone's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Stone regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Stone blocking the ground and pound.
Johnson looking to ground and pound but Stone is blocking nicely.
Johnson tries to control but Stone wriggling away.
Stone can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaun Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Stone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Stone moves out of range.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stone circles away.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stone finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Stone stuffs the takedown.
Stone looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.
Stone connects with a right hand. Johnson shakes it off.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson is looking to counter punch.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stone but Stone pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stone misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson clobbers Stone with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone cracks Johnson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Stone slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.
Stone shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stone.
Stone misses with a body shot.
Stone takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stone plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stone can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Stone takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Stone should have avoided that one.
Stone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stone tries to move into range but Johnson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Stone tries to clinch up.
Stone jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stone connects with a crisp jab.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stone.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Stone manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Stone avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stone continues to drive forward.
A little jabbing left from Stone on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Stone sees coming a mile off.
Stone flicks out a counter leg kick but Johnson steps away.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stone lands a nice shot to the body.
Stone takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stone misses with a left hand
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stone! But no joy.
Johnson punishes Stone's body with a nice straight punch.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Johnson, as that shot connected.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Stone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stone.

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stone was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stone controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson connects with a couple of short punches.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Stone wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Stone is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaun Johnson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stone takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stone has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson punishes Stone's body with a nice straight punch.
Stone slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Nice defenses there by Stone.
Stone looks to clinch
and Stone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stone throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Stone bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
A jab from Johnson does it's job there.
Stone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Stone's ribs.
Stone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A little jabbing left from Stone on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Johnson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Stone misses the target.
Johnson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Stone, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Stone against the cage but Stone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson slips under a jab from Stone.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Johnson catches Stone with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Johnson defending well as Stone loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stone lands with a kick to the temple. Johnson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Stone ducks down to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson connects with the punch.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Stone counters with a head kick.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Stone dodges it nicely.

Johnson is working for a submission of some sort.
Shaun Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stone looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johnson trying to control the action but Stone is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stops Stone from getting back to his feet.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stone wants to get back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stone is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Stone connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Stone is out of range.
Johnson misses with a shot to the body
and Stone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stone moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Stone throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Stone moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Stone ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Stone appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Johnson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Stone is trying to get back to full guard.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Stone is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaun Johnson clearly takes 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 changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stone tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stone to the ground. Stone escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stone throws a fast counter high kick but Johnson manages to duck under it in time.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Stone's head back.
Johnson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Shaun Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stone was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Stone looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Stone takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Stone misses.
Stone displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Stone connects with a leg kick. Johnson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Stone cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stone is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Stone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.
Stone keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.
Stone wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson trying to control but Stone is working from the bottom.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Stone wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Some bone on bone action there as Stone checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stone throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Stone's head back.
Stone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson throws a counter high kick but Stone was just alert enough to avoid it.
Ben Stone is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by Stone, which made it look bad.
Stone is looking to clinch.
Stone has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Stone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stone swivels and escapes.
Johnson blocks a jab.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Stone slips a straight right by Johnson.
A countering left hand to the body from Stone misses.
Stone takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Stone's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Stone only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Stone displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson moves forwards but Stone connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stone tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Stone closes the distance and clinches.
Stone is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Stone displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Stone has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Shaun Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stone misses the body punch
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Stone checks a leg kick.
Stone throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Stone moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Stone with a jab.
Johnson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Stone misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson dives in and grabs Stone's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stone pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
It seemed like Stone was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stone drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson misses with a leg kick
enabling Stone to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Stone preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stone wriggles free and stands up.
Stone misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Stone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stone checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stone swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Stone with a knee to the head.
Stone lands a knee to the head.
Stone tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Johnson.
Stone is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
Ben Stone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnson won't want to take too many of those.
Stone using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stone looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Stone misses with a knee strike.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Stone is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Stone is trying to stall.
Stone trying to land knees to the body.
Johnson tries to stall but Stone uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johnson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stone is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stone defends it nicely.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.
Stone takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Johnson scores with a jab. Stone acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stone stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stone wants it to stay on the feet.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson moves out of range as Stone strikes.
Johnson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stone sprawls well. Stone wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson misses the jab.
Johnson feints a jab promting Stone to slip. Johnson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stone slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Johnson lands a really nice looking cross but Stone seems unphased.
Johnson throws the left hand but Stone avoids the punch easily.
Stone gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Stone throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stone is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shaun Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shaun Johnson!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Shaun Johnson!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Shaun Johnson!

Shaun Johnson wins by unanimous decision!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Shaun Johnson made sure he mentioned ONI, along with how happy he was to win his fight.