PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Seth Blind (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zion Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Blind
vs
Johnson

180 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Seth Blind!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zion Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson clobbers Blind with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Blind's defenses.
Johnson stuns Blind with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jab, jab by Johnson - just one landing.
Zion Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Blind avoids them all with ease.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Blind is looking to clinch.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Blind did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blind is looking to improve his position.
Blind avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Johnson lands a nice short elbow.
Blind flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Blind actively working from the bottom here.
Blind is breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blind keeps working.
Johnson is looking to pass Blind's guard but actually Blind recovers to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blind is keeping the position for now.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Blind is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Blind on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Blind takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Blind showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson stalks Blind and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Blind's face. Blind staggers backwards, shaken.
Johnson cracks Blind with an open hand slap.
Blind fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Blind takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Blind avoids nicely.
Johnson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Blind had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Blind sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson tries to bum rush Blind with a series of wild strikes but Blind uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Johnson.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Blind slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Blind has time to react.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.

Blind gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Blind keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.

Blind looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blind wants to sweep but no luck.
Blind has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.

Blind looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Johnson postures up in Blind's guard and throws a big left but Blind blocks it.
Blind bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blind trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Blind bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Blind is wriggling around trying to escape.
Blind is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson with the ground and pound from mount.
Blind manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Blind moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blind trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Blind keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zion Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Blind shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Blind 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.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blind stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
Johnson lands with a nice combination. Blind backs away looking to recover.

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Blind in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Blind is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blind is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Johnson landing punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a heavy elbow.
Blind sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Blind manages to get to full guard.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Blind trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Blind striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.
Blind working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson is in close to Blind's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Blind is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Blind moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Blind throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Blind really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Blind shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Blind. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Blind to the mat! Blind manages to get full guard.
Johnson stands up over Blind, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.
Johnson works over Blind with some ground and pound from guard.
Blind looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blind keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Blind bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blind scoring with punches to the head and body.
Blind in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blind postures up.
Blind working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Blind controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Blind looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Blind shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blind.
Blind shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Blind tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blind somewhat.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Blind takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blind looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blind.
Johnson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Blind tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blind.

Johnson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Blind not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Blind avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zion Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Johnson throws a combination. Blind tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnson lands a jab-cross combination.
Johnson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blind stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Blind darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Blind lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

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

Johnson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Blind is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Johnson.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blind working the ground and pound.

Blind tries for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Blind's best efforts.
Blind is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Johnson!

Johnson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Blind.
Johnson throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.
Blind fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Johnson tries to hold on but Blind postures up.
Johnson is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blind lands a big shot there that rocks Johnson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson wants to control but Blind is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Blind is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Johnson regains half guard.
Blind frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
BOOM! Blind connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Johnson bucks Blind off and manages to get back to his feet!
Johnson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Blind shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Blind's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Seth Blind is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Blind.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Blind bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson slips a straight right by Blind.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Blind shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Blind. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blind fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Blind on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Blind shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Blind shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson works over Blind's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson with a nice cross.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Blind. Blind gets slowly back to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Blind gets underhooks to prevent Johnson's takedown attempt.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Blind has Johnson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Johnson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Johnson wants a takedown but no success here.

Blind has hold of one of Johnson's legs. Johnson is fighting the takedown attempt but Blind gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Blind lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Blind pushes down on Johnson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Blind trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson wants to control but Blind is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Seth Blind has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zion Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Blind is working for a kimura but Johnson is defending it quite comfortably.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seth Blind showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

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