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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 871 p4p, 965 weight class) and Zdravko Zdravkov (ranked 130 p4p, 144 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 183 cm
33
176
19 - 12 - 0 |
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185 cm
31
184
11 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zdravko Zdravkov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zdravkov.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Zdravkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zdravkov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
It looks like Zdravko Zdravkov has been cut.
Zdravkov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zdravkov shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Zdravkov throws a big elbow that misses.
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.
Zdravkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zdravkov throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zdravkov preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controlling Zdravkov's posture.
Zdravkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Johnson has his hands on Zdravkov's head, controlling the position.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zdravkov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cali Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Zdravkov landing with the ground and pound.
Zdravkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zdravkov throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Zdravkov.
Johnson stands and steps away. Zdravkov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Zdravkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Zdravkov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zdravkov moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Zdravkov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zdravkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Zdravkov's head but Zdravkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zdravkov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Zdravkov counters with a nice body shot.
Johnson misses the jab.
It seemed like Zdravkov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zdravkov lands a right hook to the body.
Zdravkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zdravkov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Johnson connects with a crisp jab.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
CJ Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.
Johnson takes one on the button.
Johnson swings for the body but Zdravkov moves out of range.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zdravkov manages to avoid it.
Zdravkov ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Zdravkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zdravkov wants to clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zdravkov counters with a left and a right that stings Johnson.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zdravkov.
Johnson scores with a jab. Zdravkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Johnson throws a hook but Zdravkov avoids it easily.
Zdravkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Zdravkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that CJ Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zdravko Zdravkov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Zdravkov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zdravkov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from Johnson misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zdravkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Zdravkov misses.
Zdravkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
CJ Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Zdravkov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Zdravkov slips the punch.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zdravkov manages to avoid it.
Zdravko Zdravkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Zdravkov blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zdravkov.
A body shot lands from Johnson.
Zdravkov tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zdravkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a hook. Zdravkov ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Zdravkov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zdravkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zdravkov! But no joy.
Zdravkov defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Zdravkov slips under a jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Johnson lands with a short shot to the head.
Zdravkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zdravkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zdravkov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zdravkov tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zdravkov fails to pull guard.
CJ Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zdravko Zdravkov.
Zdravkov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zdravkov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.
Zdravkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zdravkov laying and praying for a moment but Johnson takes advantage and regains half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Zdravkov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Johnson to regain full guard.
Zdravkov throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Zdravkov throwing strikes but missing.
Zdravkov throwing strikes but missing.
Zdravkov looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Zdravkov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Zdravkov working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Zdravkov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Zdravkov striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.
Zdravkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zdravkov trying to strike off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
CJ Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zdravko Zdravkov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Zdravkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zdravkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
A jab from Johnson does it's job there.
Zdravkov misses with a series of wild punches.
Zdravkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Zdravkov.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand
and Zdravkov counters with a one-two to the body.
Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
That has opened up Zdravko Zdravkov's cut even more.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a hook. Zdravkov ducked under it nicely.
Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
CJ Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zdravko Zdravkov.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Zdravkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.
Zdravkov takes one on the button.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Johnson jabs Zdravkov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Zdravkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson lands an overhand right.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
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!
Zdravkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
Zdravkov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Johnson.
CJ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zdravkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zdravkov.
A quick step to the side and Johnson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zdravkov ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Zdravkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson is looking to counter punch.
Zdravkov moves away from the strike by Johnson.
A countering left hand to the body from Zdravkov misses.
Zdravkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson throws a hook but Zdravkov avoids it easily.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zdravkov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a body punch but Zdravkov moves out of range.
Zdravkov with a hook.
Zdravkov moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson sets himself, and Zdravkov steps forward looking for the clinch! Johnson avoids it this time.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Zdravkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zdravkov can do to turn this around?
Zdravkov scores with a three punch combo!
Nice defenses there by Zdravkov.
Zdravkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Johnson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Zdravkov ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Zdravkov counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The cut above Zdravko Zdravkov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a right hand
enabling Zdravkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson catches Zdravkov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zdravkov is rocked!
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Zdravkov is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson lunges in with a left hook that violently twists Zdravkov head around and knocks him out cold! Johnson hops onto the cage and yells out at the top of his lungs - Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah! They're showing the replay on the big screens now; that was nasty! I hope one of the photographers got a good shot of it.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). CJ Johnson!
CJ Johnson retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, CJ Johnson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
54% |
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