PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tawny Johnny (ranked 5842 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianluca Favero (ranked 5783 p4p, 495 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.

Johnny
vs
Favero

175 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 London, Tawny Johnny!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gianluca Favero!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnny lands with a cross.
Johnny leaves Favero with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Favero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnny.

Johnny gets tackled into the cage by Favero. Favero maintains the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Favero's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Favero tries to break the clinch but Johnny is controlling the position.

Johnny ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Johnny no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Favero is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Favero wants to control from the top but Johnny keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnny has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Favero is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
With the fighters up against the cage, Favero throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnny as Favero tries to tie him up.
Johnny manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Favero is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnny gets an underhook and turns Favero into the cage.
Favero tries to pull guard but Johnny won't allow it.

Johnny breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tawny Johnny seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnny slips a jab and a cross from Favero.
Johnny is looking to counter with a body kick.

Favero drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Johnny knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Favero on the ground.
Johnny dodges the ground and pound from Favero.
Johnny managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Favero.
Johnny is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Favero asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Favero works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Johnny is looking to reverse the position.
Favero throws an elbow but Johnny slips to the side and avoids it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Favero in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Johnny is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Favero off and has taken his back!
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!
Johnny softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Johnny has the hooks in. Favero is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Johnny looking to hold on to the position here but Favero rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Johnny trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnny accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnny throwing strikes but missing.
Johnny pushing down on Favero's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Favero makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Favero.
Favero looks winded!
Favero keeping moving, preventing Johnny from controlling successfully.
Johnny looking to pass the guard.
Johnny looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four 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.
Johnny being controlled here momentarily.
Johnny has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnny missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Favero scores with a hook.

Johnny gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnny gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Favero.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Favero just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnny's brow.
Favero taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Favero misses with an elbow strike.
Johnny tries to pull guard but Favero won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnny decides to pull guard.

Favero stands and steps away. Johnny gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Johnny shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Favero's guard.
Favero can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnny controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Favero tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnny wants to control from the top but Favero keeps moving.
Johnny in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnny throws a big right hand that misses.
Favero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Favero has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Johnny is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Favero yanks on the arm and Johnny is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Favero.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gianluca Favero!