PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Kenshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen Wax - Its All Love as his entrance music. The key to victory for Yoshi Kenshin has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kenshin
vs
Johnson

181 cm
23
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Canuck Beavermeat Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshi Kenshin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Kenshin. Kenshin maintains the clinch.
Kenshin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kenshin avoids it.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kenshin's defenses.
Kenshin goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kenshin pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Johnson.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
Johnson has Kenshin pressed against the cage, preventing Kenshin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Kenshin.
Johnson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kenshin looking to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
Kenshin tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson just leaning against Kenshin, taking a breather.
The crowd are getting on Johnson's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Kenshin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kenshin managing to block the knees to the body from Johnson.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Kenshin is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but Kenshin blocks with his arms.
Kenshin scores with a nice hook to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Kenshin.
Johnson gets through Kenshin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kenshin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
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!
Kenshin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kenshin's elbow.
Johnson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kenshin's defenses.
Johnson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kenshin tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Kenshin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kenshin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Kenshin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kenshin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Johnson.
Johnson tries a body shot but Kenshin blocks it.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Kenshin.
Johnson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kenshin is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Kenshin tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenshin is trying to break the clinch but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kenshin has Johnson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Johnson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but Kenshin is blocking nicely.
Kenshin tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.
Johnson has Kenshin pushed against the cage.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that Kenshin shrugs off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kenshin is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Kenshin into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kenshin clinches.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Johnson.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Johnson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Johnson lands a damaging elbow.
Johnson tries a body shot but Kenshin blocks it.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kenshin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson is struggling to control the position.
Kenshin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Johnson slows down the pace here.
Kenshin has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kenshin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Kenshin blocks it.
Kenshin jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Kenshin around his waist. Kenshin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kenshin is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kenshin is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Kenshin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalling in the clinch from Johnson.
Kenshin is trying to stall.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenshin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kenshin is trying to break free.
Kenshin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.

Kenshin closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnson obliges.
Johnson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kenshin's face.
Johnson lands a knee to the body.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kenshin blocking some punches.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kenshin is keeping busy.
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 misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.
Kenshin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson looking to stall.
Johnson seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kenshin blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
Kenshin blocking some punches.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Kenshin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenshin shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson feints and then cracks Kenshin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kenshin down.
Yoshi Kenshin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kenshin clinches up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kenshin.
The referee is keeping an eye on Johnson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kenshin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johnson walks away with a smile on his face. Kenshin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Kenshin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kenshin darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees to the body from Johnson.
Johnson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kenshin instigates a clinch.
Kenshin tries to pull guard but Johnson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kenshin has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Kenshin wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Kenshin jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Kenshin around his waist. Kenshin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kenshin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kenshin's efforts to push away.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Kenshin.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Kenshin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson slows down the pace here.
Johnson with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenshin is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kenshin has his back to the cage.
Johnson just leaning against Kenshin, taking a breather.
Kenshin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Kenshin.
Kenshin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but Kenshin avoids the damage to the body.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Kenshin.
Kenshin looking to slow down the pace here.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Kenshin.
Johnson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kenshin's defenses.
The referee calls for Johnson to work.
Kenshin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johnson obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenshin is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kenshin blocks it with crossed arms.
Kenshin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kenshin blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steve Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Johnson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kenshin blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson lands an elbow inside that Kenshin shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kenshin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A knee to the head by Johnson.
Johnson has Kenshin pressed against the cage.
Johnson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kenshin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johnson prevents Kenshin from breaking the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Johnson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Steve Johnson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kenshin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kenshin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kenshin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kenshin is looking to break free of the clinch but Johnson has double underhooks.
Kenshin looking for a takedown.
Yoshi Kenshin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Johnson!
Steve Johnson made sure to mention his sponsor, Canuck Beavermeat Nutrition in his post fight interview.