PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abunazir Kindzal (ranked 23080 p4p, 23364 weight class) and Leon Johnson (ranked 522 p4p, 526 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kindzal
vs
Johnson

178 cm
26
150
4 - 9 - 0

170 cm
28
135
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abunazir Kindzal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Leon Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson stalks Kindzal and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kindzal's face. Kindzal staggers backwards, shaken.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Kindzal.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kindzal is defended easily by Johnson.
Despite the aggression on Johnson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kindzal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kindzal wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Kindzal is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lunges at Kindzal with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kindzal's hand.
Johnson scores with a one two! Kindzal had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kindzal's elbow.
Kindzal is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson has Kindzal pushed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
Kindzal's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson misses with some punches.
Johnson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson cracks Kindzal with a nice body shot.
Johnson misses with a knee strike.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kindzal seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Johnson connects with a jab.

Kindzal gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Johnson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kindzal missing with knees to the body.
Johnson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johnson working aggressively here.

Kindzal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - Johnson scores with a four punch combination!
Kindzal is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson with a knee to the head.

Kindzal manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kindzal pulls Johnson in to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is in close to Kindzal's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kindzal can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johnson controls the pace.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson postures up in Kindzal's guard and throws a big left but Kindzal blocks it.
Kindzal is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Johnson won't allow Kindzal to get back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Kindzal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Johnson cracks Kindzal with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Johnson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kindzal's half guard.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kindzal wants to get back to his feet.
Kindzal is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kindzal keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kindzal!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws some wild stikes that Kindzal manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Johnson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Kindzal against the cage.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses.

Kindzal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kindzal on his heels. He'll look to pass Kindzal's guard now, I'm sure.

Johnson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Abunazir Kindzal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short left from Johnson.
Johnson lands a left hand.
Johnson lands a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson lands an elbow just above Kindzal 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kindzal throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kindzal throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kindzal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Kindzal moves out of range.
Kindzal attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kindzal takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

Johnson lands a takedown into guard.
Kindzal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kindzal is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Kindzal keeps moving.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up.
Kindzal wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Kindzal is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson postures up in Kindzal's guard and throws a big left but Kindzal blocks it.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Johnson postures up in Kindzal's guard and throws a big left but Kindzal blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kindzal is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Leon Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kindzal fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Kindzal is now in Johnson's guard.
Johnson controlling Kindzal's posture.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kindzal is one step ahead there.
Johnson has his hands on Kindzal's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kindzal stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kindzal's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kindzal scrambles back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson lands with a short shot to the head.
Johnson lands with a short shot to the head.
Johnson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kindzals head.
Johnson just leaning against Kindzal, taking a breather.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.
Kindzal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.

Johnson pulls Kindzal into guard.
Kindzal wanted to stand there but Johnson had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kindzal trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kindzal tries to stand but Johnson is controlling from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kindzal postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.

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

Johnson clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Johnson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but Kindzal blocks with his arms.
Johnson lands a knee to the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Johnson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kindzal.
Johnson is looking for the big counter here.
Leon Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Johnson chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Kindzal against the cage.
Kindzal using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leon Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Johnson slows down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kindzal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kindzal is trying to stall.
Kindzal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four 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.
Kindzal tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abunazir Kindzal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kindzal is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kindzal regains guard.
Kindzal wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.

Kindzal isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Johnson stacks Kindzal on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Johnson!
Johnson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Abunazir Kindzal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kindzal wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leon Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 26:30

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