PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kevin James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaun Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shaun Johnson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

James
vs
Johnson

175 cm
38
170 lbs
20 - 16 - 0

174 cm
31
183 lbs
17 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shaun Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by James.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.
James shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnson or perhaps it was just good defense by James, which made it look bad.
James seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
James cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
James connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
James throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but James 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as James checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract James.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Johnson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
James ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
James throws a quick counter head kick but Johnson was just out of range.
James misses with a two punch combination.

James looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
James trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that James has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
James distracts Johnson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson working a defensive guard but James passes into half guard.
James trying to mount his opponent but Johnson defends it.
Johnson missing with punches from the bottom.
James stalling.
James trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
James wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Johnson trying to control but James postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
James prevents Johnson from improving his position.
James thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James misses with a double jab.
A little jabbing left from Johnson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
James throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
James closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good work by James as he checks the leg kick.
James cracks Johnson with a good jab.
James checks a leg kick nicely.
James shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnson sprawls well. Johnson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James gets slowly back to his feet.

James decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. James is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
James takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Johnson wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
Nice strikes from James there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson trying to hold on to James's head to control him but James postures up.
James working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A nice combination there by James.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through James's defenses.
Shaun Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from James.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts James, as that shot connected.
James throws a right and a left that both miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
James drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James cracks the inside of Johnson's front leg.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. James pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
Kevin James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kevin James is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson throws a body punch but James moves out of range.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
James half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
James throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
James throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
James ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
James went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
James changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson lands a nice shot that snaps James's head back.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
James throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for James on that attempt.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through James's defenses.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice straight punches there by James. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of James.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by James.
Johnson slips under a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
A big left from James misses.
James moves away from the strike by Johnson.
James misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
James shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
James scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
James slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
James throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but James slips the punch.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from James.
Johnson throws a counter combo.
James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.

James closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson won't allow James to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
James wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson manages to get to full guard.
James with a nice head shot there.
Johnson throws a couple of heel strikes.
James preventing the sweep.
James wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and James defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kevin James will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. James tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in James's guard.
James wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
James keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson stands and throws James's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kevin James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson gets to mount! James was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
James regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from James.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but James slips the punch.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by James.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and James counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James misses with a hook.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
James scores with a jab to the jaw.
James throws out a leg kick but Johnson moves out of range and James only half commits.
Johnson lands with an overhand left.

James shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
James preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. James uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by James!
Johnson is trying to hold James in close to prevent damage but James has managed to pass into half guard.
Johnson is pressing down on James's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
James trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Johnson is trying to control the position but James postures up.
Johnson keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
Johnson is looking to sweep but instead, James has passed into half guard.
James wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
James throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kevin James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
James content to control rather than advance.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by James.
Shaun Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James misses with a few strikes there.
James scores with a jab to the jaw.
James lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A jab from Johnson misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from James.
James misses with a wild body shot.
A nice side step and Johnson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin James showed his dominance in that final round.
Well James has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Kevin James!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Kevin James!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Kevin James!

Kevin James wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Kevin James thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.