PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Johnson (ranked 4325 p4p, 4149 weight class) and Yohan Kiznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Johnson
vs
Kiznetsov

175 cm
19
180
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
176
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Inexperienced

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 Las Vegas, John Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yohan Kiznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kiznetsov wants to clinch.
Johnson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nice sprawl there from Kiznetsov as Johnson shoots in.
Kiznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.

Kiznetsov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kiznetsov is looking to stand back up but Johnson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kiznetsov.

Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Kiznetsov from standing back up.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two 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.
Johnson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kiznetsov!

Johnson stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Kiznetsov shows good takedown defense.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kiznetsov pinned against the cage. Kiznetsov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Johnson counters with a single leg into guard. Kiznetsov didn't expect that.
Kiznetsov is looking to stand back up but Johnson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kiznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kiznetsov!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kiznetsov wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Kiznetsov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson controlling from mount.
Johnson fails to advance to Kiznetsov's back.
Johnson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiznetsov is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Johnson has taken his back!
Johnson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kiznetsov doesn't escape.
Johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson punches the canvas rather than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kiznetsov is looking to clinch.

Kiznetsov closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Kiznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kiznetsov misses with an elbow over the top.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kiznetsov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kiznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson can't get the takedown.

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 Kiznetsov uses from the top position.

Johnson kicks Kiznetsov off and gets to his feet.
Kiznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yohan Kiznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kiznetsov wants to clinch.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Kiznetsov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kiznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kiznetsov can do to turn this around?
Kiznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Kiznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow inside.

It looks like John Johnson has been cut.
Kiznetsov misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Johnson wants to break free but Kiznetsov has control.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kiznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kiznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Kiznetsov is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kiznetsov down to the mat. Kiznetsov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch up.
Yohan Kiznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kiznetsov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kiznetsov is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kiznetsov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kiznetsov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kiznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiznetsov wants to clinch.
Kiznetsov is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Kiznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Johnson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kiznetsov misses with an elbow over the top.
Kiznetsov prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Nice elbow from Kiznetsov.
Nice elbow from Kiznetsov.
Kiznetsov lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kiznetsov prevents it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Kiznetsov, against the cage.
Kiznetsov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Johnson's defenses.
Kiznetsov pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes an elbow to the temple.
Kiznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Kiznetsov is controlling the position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kiznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnson's brow.
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!
Kiznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kiznetsov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kiznetsov lands a damaging elbow.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Kiznetsov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Johnson's defenses.
Kiznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kiznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kiznetsov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Johnson trying to control the position but instead, Kiznetsov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Johnson into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yohan Kiznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kiznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Kiznetsov as Johnson shoots in.

Kiznetsov clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Kiznetsov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kiznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kiznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.

Johnson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Johnson gets to his feet. Kiznetsov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kiznetsov slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Kiznetsov.
Kiznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch up.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kiznetsov pinned against the cage. Kiznetsov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kiznetsov's waist but Kiznetsov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
As Johnson backs off Kiznetsov throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kiznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Kiznetsov moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Kiznetsov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson throws a big counter combination but Kiznetsov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kiznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kiznetsov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
John Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kiznetsov wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Kiznetsov.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Kiznetsov gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Kiznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Kiznetsov lands a nice elbow.
Kiznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kiznetsov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kiznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Kiznetsov, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Kiznetsov prevents the takedown attempt.
Kiznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kiznetsov misses with an elbow strike.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.

John Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Kiznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kiznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Kiznetsov lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Kiznetsov pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson is working for takedown but Kiznetsov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four 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!
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Kiznetsov pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Kiznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Kiznetsov.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kiznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnson's brow.
Johnson is looking for a takedown.
Kiznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Kiznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kiznetsov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Johnson's defenses.
Kiznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yohan Kiznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kiznetsov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yohan Kiznetsov!