PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Taranin (ranked 1135 p4p, 1487 weight class) and Champ Johnson (ranked 46 p4p, 162 weight class). Johnson has chosen Can't Be Touched as his entrance music. Champ Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Taranin
vs
Johnson

170 cm
25
158
10 - 8 - 0

180 cm
32
161
10 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Taranin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Champ Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taranin throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson tries a low kick but Taranin avoids it.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Taranin on the side of the head.
Taranin has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.

Taranin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Taranin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Taranin is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Taranin has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taranin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taranin trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Taranin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Taranin is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson pushes Taranin off looking to stand but Taranin dives back in and keeps control.
Taranin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taranin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Taranin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taranin.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Taranin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taranin prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Taranin working Johnson over with strikes.
Johnson is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taranin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Taranin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Taranin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Taranin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Taranin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson pushes Taranin off and gets back to his feet.

Taranin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Johnson!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taranin working the ground and pound.
Johnson is pushing Taranin's head away, looking to escape. Taranin manages to hold on to the position though.
Taranin is working Johnson over with some ground and pound from side control.

Taranin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Taranin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Johnson pushes Taranin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Taranin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Taranin tries to move to mount but Johnson blocks the move with his legs.
Johnson is pushing Taranin's head away, looking to escape. Taranin manages to hold on to the position though.
Taranin trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Taranin prevents Johnson from escaping the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Taranin.

Taranin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson defending against the ground and pound.
Johnson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Taranin lands a few punches from side control.
Taranin is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Taranin is dominant here and he's now got Johnson's back!

Taranin tightening his grip on Johnson, looking for the choke.

Johnson is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Taranin off. It looks like it's working - Taranin slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Johnson displaying calm under pressure there.
Taranin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Taranin attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
Johnson slaps away a takedown attempt from Taranin, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taranin looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Champ Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taranin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Taranin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnson throws a body punch but Taranin moves out of range.
Taranin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice defenses there by Taranin.
Taranin looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Taranin moved out of range.
Taranin tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice cross by Johnson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taranin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taranin walks into a stiff left hand from Johnson.
A bone on bone clash there as Taranin blocks the leg kick.
Taranin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Taranin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taranin checks a leg kick.
Taranin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Taranin.
Taranin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taranin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
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 Maksim Taranin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Taranin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson scores with a jab.

Taranin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Taranin is stalling in the full guard.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Taranin isn't so interested in that idea.

Johnson kicks Taranin off and gets to his feet.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taranin.
Johnson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Johnson lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taranin throws out the jab.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taranin manages to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taranin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taranin.
Taranin is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Johnson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Taranin on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Champ Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taranin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taranin somewhat.

Taranin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Johnson kicks off Taranin and gets to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Taranin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taranin shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Taranin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good exchange - Johnson coming out on top.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Taranin gets a double leg takedown into Johnson's guard.
Maksim Taranin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taranin prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Taranin tries to pass.
Taranin prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taranin stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
Taranin works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Taranin throws a big right hand that misses.
Taranin working some strikes from top position.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taranin is controlling him.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Taranin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taranin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taranin stops Johnson from standing up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Johnson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taranin clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Taranin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Taranin.
Johnson punishes Taranin's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Taranin dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Taranin's head and hops out.
Taranin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Taranin persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Champ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taranin avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Taranin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Taranin missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taranin goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
Johnson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Taranin pulls guard.

Taranin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taranin's guard.

Johnson stands up from Taranin's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson connects with a single shot there.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The fighters circling - Taranin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Taranin slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taranin.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taranin.
Taranin misses with an uppercut.
Taranin has a takedown stuffed.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.

Taranin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taranin thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.

Taranin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnson sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Champ Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Johnson throws a series of punches but Taranin avoids them all with ease.
Taranin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Johnson misses with a low kick as Taranin jumps back.
Taranin slips a straight right by Johnson.
Taranin is looking to counter punch.
Taranin throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taranin misses with a series of wild punches.
Taranin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Taranin there as he acknowledges the shot.

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

Johnson pushes Taranin off and scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson moves out of range as Taranin strikes.
Taranin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Taranin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Taranin dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Taranin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Johnson explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a leg kick that knocks Taranin off balance momentarily.
Taranin shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taranin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maksim Taranin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taranin misses the shot to the body.
Johnson steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Taranin.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson throws a hook but Taranin blocks it.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Taranin.
Taranin walks into a jab.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Taranin on the side of the head.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taranin.
Taranin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
It seemed like Johnson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Taranin shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Johnson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taranin.
Taranin fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Taranin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a body punch but Taranin moves out of range.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taranin scores with a jab.
A big left from Taranin misses.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Taranin is able to avoid easily.
Taranin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.
Taranin shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Taranin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taranin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Johnson.
Nice shot lands for Taranin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taranin.
Taranin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Taranin misses with an uppercut.
Taranin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taranin has a takedown stuffed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Taranin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taranin tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taranin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taranin misses with a hook.
Taranin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Taranin misses with a wild combination.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Taranin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Taranin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taranin throws out the jab.
Johnson thumps Taranin with a low kick.
Taranin misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taranin swinging wildly here.
Taranin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A nice leg kick lands there from Johnson.
Taranin throws a big shot that misses.
Taranin throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Taranin misses.
Taranin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taranin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taranin misses with a double jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taranin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
A low kick lands for Johnson.

Taranin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.
Johnson wants to stand but Taranin is controlling the position.
Taranin trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Champ Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Champ Johnson!
Champ Johnson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.