PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Quinn Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Ice Cube - It Was a Dood Day. A fine choice. Cage comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Xander Intro kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Johnson
vs
Cage

185 cm
25
215 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

185 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

HGH Nutrients
Tesla Apparel

Win Nutritional
Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Quinn Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zander Cage!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage misses with a looping right.
Cage looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Cage scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Danga de danga de dang - Cage scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Quinn Johnson has been cut.
A jab from Cage finds it's way through Johnson's defenses.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson swings for the body but Cage moves out of range.
Cage swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Cage tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Cage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cage is pressing down on Johnson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cage's head.
Cage wants to sweep but no luck.
Cage wants to get back to his feet but Johnson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson postures up.
Cage 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.
Cage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Johnson won't allow Cage to pass to mount.
Cage prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson pushes Cage off looking to stand but Cage dives back in and keeps control.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cage on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is controlling Cage's trapped leg to prevent Cage from advancing to side control.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
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.
Cage tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Cage won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Cage from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cage scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cage throws a shot to the body.
Cage throws a good cross that connects.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Cage avoids them all with ease.
Cage cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cage changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cage throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
Cage scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Cage misses.
Johnson defending well as Cage loads up on a big left hand.
Cage throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cage connects with a single shot there.
Cage jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Cage uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Cage comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cage misses with a two punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cage sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson tries to move into range but Cage moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Cage misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cage wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander Cage dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Quinn Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cage!
Cage circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson jabs Cage right on the nose. Cage blinks but takes it well.
Cage scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Cage misses with a straight left.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cage.
Cage throws a one two combo.

Johnson moves into the clinch successfully.
Cage throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Cage.
Cage working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cage is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A bit of stalling here from Cage.
Cage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Johnson.
Cage lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage scores with a hook to the body.

Cage breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cage connects with a jab.
Cage misses with a few strikes there.
Cage checks a low kick from Johnson.
Cage misses with a body shot.
A slow jab from Cage misses its intended target.
Cage moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Cage swings away with a body shot that misses
and Johnson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Cage connects with a body shot.
Cage lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cage.
Cage connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cage defends it nicely.
Zander Cage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cage fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Quinn Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A shot to de liver by Cage. Beautiful body shot.
Cage connects with a right hand. Johnson shakes it off.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A big left from Cage misses.
Cage lands a jab.
Cage lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson slips under a jab from Cage.
Cage throws a predictable looking body shot
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cage circles away quickly and effectively.
Cage throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cage manages to avoid it.
Cage misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cage darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Cage.
Cage cracks Johnson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Cage throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice cross by Cage.
Nice shot lands for Cage.
Cage misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinn Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson moves out of range as Cage strikes.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cage misses with a looping right.
Zander Cage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Cage shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cage connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cage scores with a sloppy right hand. Johnson should have avoided that one.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cage swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cage fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cage throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cage swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cage misses with a jab to the body

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson thows a huge punch but Cage dodges it nicely.
Cage gets back to full guard.

Cage wriggles free and stands up.
Cage throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Cage misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Cage misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zander Cage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson slips a jab from Cage.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Cage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cage darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cage throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cage misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cage throws out the jab.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cage.
Johnson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cage momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson takes one on the button.
Cage scores with a punch to the head.
Cage lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Johnson throws a body punch but Cage moves out of range.
Cage lands a body shot.
Cage pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson lunges at Cage with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cage's hand.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Cage.
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Cage.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cage throws a left and a right that both miss

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Cage keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cage is on top in guard.
Cage preventing the sweep.
Cage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cage stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.
Cage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Cage avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson takes one on the button.
Cage throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cage as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson swings for the body but Cage moves out of range.
Cage scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cage throws a series of strikes that have Johnson backpedaling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander Cage really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Quinn Johnson's cut.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cage misses with a straight left.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cage but Cage pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson defending well as Cage loads up on a big left hand.
Cage loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Cage lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Cage scores with a nice right hand.
Cage lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head.
Cage throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cage.
Cage scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cage lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Cage misses.
Cage defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cage swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Cage lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.
Cage misses with a shot to the body
and Cage takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cage misses with a body punch
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cage scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cage defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinn Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson defending well as Cage loads up on a big left hand.
Cage scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson tries to clinch up.
Cage misses with a wild combination.
Nice shot lands for Cage.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Johnson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cage just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cage throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
Cage misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Cage had a free shot at his head there.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Cage shows good takedown defense.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cage scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Johnson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cage's head backwards.
Cage throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Cage defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson throws a hook but Cage blocks it.
Cage darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cage throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Cage avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cage tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson moves out of range as Cage strikes.
Cage throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Jab by Cage.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson slips a straight right by Cage.
Cage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander Cage dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Quinn Johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson lands with a cross.
Cage slips a jab from Johnson.
Cage looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson dives in and grabs Cage's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cage pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Cage slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Cage should have avoided that one.
Johnson shoots in but Cage avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cage throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Cage throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Cage sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinn Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cage.
Cage lands a jab to the nose.
Cage throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Cage throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Cage with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cage moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
Cage throws a left and a right that both miss

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Quinn Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cage is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Cage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cage controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
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!
Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Quinn Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Cage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson is really struggling to control Cage but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Cage is working from the bottom.
Cage bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Cage decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Johnson forces Cage back against the cage and clinches.
Cage taking a breather.
Johnson is working for takedown but Cage is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johnson wants to break free but Cage has control.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cage lands with a short shot to the head.
Cage lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Johnson.
Cage lands a right hand.
Cage manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cage lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage lands with a left to the head.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cage has him pressed against the cage.

Cage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Cage takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cage misses with a body punch

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cage had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Johnson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Cage Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Johnson's back instead.

Cage looking to break Johnson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Johnson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Cage will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Zander Cage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
I really don't envy Johnson right now.
Johnson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zander Cage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cage winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 43:50
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 44:50
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zander Cage!
Zander Cage is the new light heavyweight champion!