PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Johnson (ranked 6235 p4p, 3084 weight class) and Krzysztof Zakrzewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Zakrzewski

175 cm
18
200
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
200
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dwayne Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Krzysztof Zakrzewski!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Zakrzewski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Johnson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Zakrzewski, into his guard.

Zakrzewski is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakrzewski keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zakrzewski on the ground.

Zakrzewski is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zakrzewski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zakrzewski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johnson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zakrzewski's head.
Johnson wanted to stand there but Zakrzewski had control of the position.
Johnson sitting in guard here, content to control.

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.
Zakrzewski is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zakrzewski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Zakrzewski's legs - danger averted.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zakrzewski trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson trying to control but Zakrzewski is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zakrzewski holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zakrzewski has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Johnson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zakrzewski's head.

It looks like Krzysztof Zakrzewski has been cut.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.

Johnson rushes Zakrzewski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zakrzewski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Zakrzewski gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Johnson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zakrzewski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Johnson has Zakrzewski in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Zakrzewski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zakrzewski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Zakrzewski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson is looking to clinch but Zakrzewski is avoiding it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Krzysztof Zakrzewski's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck for Zakrzewski with that takedown attempt.
Johnson attempts a counter takedown but Zakrzewski avoids it well and moves away.

Zakrzewski gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson prevents Zakrzewski from getting back to his feet.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Zakrzewski keeps moving.
Dwayne Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zakrzewski has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Johnson is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Zakrzewski tries to pull guard but Johnson holds him up against the cage and eventually Zakrzewski drops back down to his feet.

Johnson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Zakrzewski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zakrzewski trying to remain calm as Johnson controls from the top position.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Zakrzewski regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zakrzewski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Johnson trying to control but Zakrzewski is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zakrzewski is proving hard to escape from.

Johnson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Zakrzewski. Zakrzewski gets slowly back to his feet.
Dwayne Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krzysztof Zakrzewski.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Zakrzewski sneaks out the side door and pushes Johnson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Dwayne Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zakrzewski scrambles back to his feet.

Johnson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zakrzewski tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Johnson is in Zakrzewski's guard.

Zakrzewski has his feet on Johnson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson moves into range and clinches up with Zakrzewski.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Zakrzewski is trying to keep an underhook but Johnson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Zakrzewski manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Zakrzewski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Zakrzewski's guard.

Zakrzewski pushes Johnson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A left lands for Zakrzewski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zakrzewski fails to land the takedown.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Zakrzewski takes it in his stride.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dwayne Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Zakrzewski sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zakrzewski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johnson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zakrzewski manages to circle out of the way.
Zakrzewski throws a nice head kick!

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Johnson showed some decent athleticism there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Krzysztof Zakrzewski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Krzysztof Zakrzewski's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Zakrzewski sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zakrzewski tries to counter by closing the distance.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Zakrzewski manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Zakrzewski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Johnson is defending well.
Zakrzewski wants a takedown.
Zakrzewski is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dwayne Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krzysztof Zakrzewski.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zakrzewski tries to pull guard but Johnson holds him up against the cage and eventually Zakrzewski drops back down to his feet.
Zakrzewski jumps guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zakrzewski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Johnson defends well and Zakrzewski ends up having to push Johnson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A head kick from Johnson lands but Zakrzewski takes it in his stride.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.

Zakrzewski looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.

Zakrzewski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Zakrzewski against the cage.
Zakrzewski wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zakrzewski uses from the top position.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson is looking to stand back up but Zakrzewski counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Johnson.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Johnson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zakrzewski has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Zakrzewski has a good base and remains in mount.
Zakrzewski punching from mount but Johnson doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Zakrzewski is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Johnson has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zakrzewski wants to finish this one by submission but Johnson is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski controlling from mount.
Johnson wants to control but Zakrzewski is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zakrzewski wants to control the pace but Johnson is squirming around nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dwayne Johnson.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

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