PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Johnson (ranked 4005 p4p, 4047 weight class) and Sativo Cubensis (ranked 415 p4p, 417 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
Cubensis

175 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
192
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ezekiel 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, Sativo Cubensis!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Cubensis.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Cubensis counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cubensis to his feet.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Cubensis avoids it well.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cubensis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Good shot there by Cubensis.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cubensis misses with a double jab.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Johnson duly obliges.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cubensis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cubensis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cubensis lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Ezekiel Johnson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cubensis misses with the combination.
Cubensis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice uppercut lands for Cubensis. That snapped Johnson's head back.
Cubensis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cubensis throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cubensis!
Cubensis looks winded!
Cubensis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Cubensis stuns Johnson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cubensis is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cubensis defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cubensis tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson is nestled in close to Cubensis, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cubensis's head.

Johnson stands up from half guard.
Sativo Cubensis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson throws a right hand that Cubensis ducks under and follows up with a left that Cubensis also avoids with ease.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Cubensis throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cubensis's guard.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cubensis wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.

Johnson stands up and waves to Cubensis to follow him.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cubensis avoids a punch combination nicely.

Johnson rushes Cubensis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cubensis taking a breather.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cubensis swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Donk. Cubensis catches Johnson right on the button with a cross.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Cubensis cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Cubensis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cubensis throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cubensis tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson is looking for a counter combo.
Johnson with a jab.
Cubensis misses with a jab, cross combination.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Cubensis does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson tests Cubensis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cubensis needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ezekiel Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ezekiel Johnson'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.

Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cubensis counters with a one-two to the body.
Cubensis listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cubensis throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson tries to clinch but Cubensis moves out of range.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Cubensis is just out of range.
Cubensis has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Cubensis swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cubensis slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Cubensis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Johnson attempts a counter takedown but Cubensis avoids it well and moves away.
Cubensis lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cubensis misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cubensis swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cubensis.
Cubensis is breathing heavily.
Cubensis scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Johnson throws a right hand that Cubensis ducks under and follows up with a left that Cubensis also avoids with ease.
Cubensis looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Cubensis eats them both and turns towards Johnson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sativo Cubensis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cubensis circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Johnson moves into the clinch.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Cubensis.
Cubensis scores with a three punch combo!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Johnson misses the jab.
Cubensis throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Cubensis might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Cubensis's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cubensis has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Cubensis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Cubensis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Johnson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson is working Cubensis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson throws a strike but Cubensis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cubensis scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cubensis throwing strikes but missing.
Cubensis prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cubensis trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cubensis won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Cubensis is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Cubensis throws a big right hand that misses.
Cubensis postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Cubensis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cubensis in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cubensis.

Johnson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Johnson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Cubensis tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson working away.

Johnson stands up and beckons Cubensis to his feet.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Cubensis lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Cubensis swinging wildly here.
Nice defenses there by Cubensis.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ezekiel Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ezekiel Johnson'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. This is the final round!

Johnson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Cubensis eats them both and turns towards Johnson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Cubensis looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cubensis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cubensis lands a nice shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Johnson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Cubensis avoids it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cubensis is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cubensis avoid being mounted?
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cubensis on the ground.
Cubensis manages to get to full guard.
Cubensis trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cubensis is on top in guard.

Cubensis postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Cubensis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Cubensis works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Cubensis throws an elbow that misses. Johnson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cubensis's guard. Nice move by Johnson!

Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnson postures up in Cubensis's guard and throws a big left but Cubensis blocks it.
Johnson is fighting to break Cubensis's control of his arms but Cubensis is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Cubensis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Cubensis!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cubensis throws a big right hand that misses.
Cubensis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cubensis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cubensis is working Johnson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cubensis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cubensis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cubensis throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Cubensis slips an elbow through the middle.
Cubensis is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Cubensis from controlling successfully.
Cubensis postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Cubensis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Cubensis.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Cubensis's head.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cubensis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Cubensis counters with a one-two to the body.
Sativo Cubensis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.
Johnson lands a jab-cross combination.
Cubensis cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Cubensis avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cubensis misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Cubensis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cubensis scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cubensis. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice combination there by Johnson.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cubensis counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cubensis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Cubensis avoids it well.
Cubensis throws a one two combo.
Cubensis closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cubensis slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Cubensis avoids them all with ease.
Ezekiel Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cubensis pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Johnson back to the cage. Cubensis follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.

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 Ezekiel Johnson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:28

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