PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhang Xianfa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. CJ Johnson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Johnson
vs
Xianfa

170 cm
22
141 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

164 cm
19
146 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Gilop®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zhang Xianfa!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson avoids the head kick by Xianfa.
Johnson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Xianfa backs up against the cage.
Nice shot lands for Johnson.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xianfa.
Xianfa misses with a jab, cross combination.

Xianfa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Xianfa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson pushes down on Xianfa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Xianfa is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.
Xianfa wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Johnson moves to the back position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Johnson controlling the positon.

Johnson working for a choke but Xianfa is defending well.
Johnson struggling to land strikes to the head as Xianfa covers up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson missing with punches from the back.
Xianfa staying busy and making it hard for Johnson to control.

Johnson looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Johnson.

Johnson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Xianfa defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Johnson looking for the RNC.
Johnson misses with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Xianfa is in real trouble here. Johnson gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Xianfa is tapping out! Johnson wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). CJ Johnson!
CJ Johnson retains his bantamweight title!
CJ Johnson took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Gilop® for their support in the buildup to the fight.