PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko CroCop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darius Johnson acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

CroCop
vs
Johnson

188 cm
22
235 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mirko CroCop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Darius Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by CroCop. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before CroCop can pounce on him.
Johnson avoids the head kick by CroCop.
A head kick from CroCop lands but Johnson takes it in his stride.
CroCop throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
CroCop throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
CroCop scoring well with a low kick there.
CroCop throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
CroCop throws a quick inside leg kick.
CroCop could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Johnson instigates a clinch.

Johnson pulls guard effortlessly.
CroCop wants to stand and escape but instead Johnson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
CroCop is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
CroCop 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
CroCop is striking from the bottom but Johnson uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
CroCop is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but CroCop is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two 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 throwing shots but CroCop is blocking nicely.
Johnson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for CroCop!
Johnson trying to control but CroCop is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CroCop is looking to get to half guard.
CroCop is breathing heavily.
CroCop wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Johnson.
Johnson breaks from CroCop's wrist control and lands an elbow.
CroCop is wriggling around trying to escape.
Johnson with the ground and pound from mount.
Johnson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
CroCop taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to control but CroCop is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Despite being in the dominant position, Darius Johnson just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
CroCop keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson blocks a head kick by CroCop.
CroCop pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Johnson shoots in but CroCop avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Johnson clinches up with CroCop and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
Mirko CroCop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Johnson.
CroCop tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.

Johnson 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson forces CroCop back against the cage and clinches.
CroCop has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johnson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
CroCop is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Johnson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
CroCop has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
CroCop tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Johnson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. CroCop fights it off and pushes away nicely.
CroCop misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but CroCop ducks down to avoid it.
CroCop misses with a looping left.
Darius Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson blocks the body kick.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but CroCop is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
CroCop connects with a high kick.
Mirko CroCop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
CroCop is looking for a sweep.

Johnson decides to stand back up.
Johnson blocks a head kick by CroCop.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. CroCop defends it nicely.
Mirko CroCop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Johnson.
CroCop goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with CroCop, pushing him back against the cage.
CroCop jumps guard but Johnson stands there with CroCop around his waist. CroCop gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
CroCop is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Johnson rushes CroCop and presses him up against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a push kick but CroCop slaps the foot to one side.
CroCop displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
CroCop looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Johnson checks a leg kick.
CroCop misses with a few strikes there.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but CroCop sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mirko CroCop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
CroCop explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
CroCop throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
CroCop pulls out of a head kick attempt.
CroCop throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
CroCop throws a front kick aimed at Johnson's knee but Johnson avoids it well.
CroCop tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Johnson drives through and clinches with CroCop against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
CroCop working hard to break the clinch.
CroCop prevents a body shot from Johnson.
CroCop goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.

Johnson decides to pull guard.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnson manages to capitalize on a mistake by CroCop to take his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is hanging on to CroCop's back as he tries to escape.
The referee is taking a good look at CroCop as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Johnson!

Johnson looking for the choke but no joy.
CroCop has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
CroCop throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick from CroCop.
CroCop is looking to score with low kicks.
CroCop walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A head kick by CroCop misses
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with CroCop, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes CroCop against the cage but CroCop circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from CroCop.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
CroCop checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mirko CroCop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Johnson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
CroCop throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Johnson throws a right and a left that CroCop avoids nicely.
Johnson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
CroCop looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
CroCop throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. CroCop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
CroCop bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
CroCop throws a leg kick that is checked

and Johnson counters by clinching up.
CroCop wants to break free but Johnson has control.
CroCop tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing CroCop back against the cage.
CroCop is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson digs a right hand into CroCop's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on CroCop's gas tank.

Johnson has CroCop pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Johnson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending CroCop tumbling to the mat - Johnson dives into CroCop's guard.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but CroCop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
CroCop is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson passes CroCop's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Darius Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
CroCop wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
CroCop tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson is keen to just control but CroCop is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CroCop is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Johnson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
CroCop turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
CroCop rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but CroCop shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a combination but CroCop avoids it well.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
CroCop looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
CroCop misses with a kick to the body.

Johnson 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.
CroCop is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but CroCop is retaining full guard.

CroCop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

CroCop is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darius Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

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