PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Baskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baskov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me. Johnson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Voodoo People. Nikolay Baskov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Baskov
vs
Johnson

189 cm
25
249 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

202 cm
30
250 lbs
19 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with the combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Baskov, as that shot connected.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Baskov is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Johnson.

It looks like Nikolay Baskov has been cut.
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 won't let Baskov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Baskov regains half guard.
Baskov wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
It looks like Johnson is going to stand back up.
Baskov wants to get back to his feet.

Baskov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baskov defends it well.

Baskov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.
Baskov tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Baskov gets full guard.

Baskov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baskov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baskov is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Baskov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson trying to control the position.

Baskov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Baskov stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baskov fails with the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Baskov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Baskov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Nikolay Baskov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Johnson.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Baskov was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Baskov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Baskov'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.

Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Baskov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. Baskov sprawls well.
Baskov leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baskov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baskov circles away.
Nikolay Baskov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Johnson.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Baskov pushes him off.

Baskov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Baskov showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baskov is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.

Baskov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Baskov eventually gives up the hold.

Baskov stands up out of the half guard.
The crowd cheers as Baskov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Baskov circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baskov swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Baskov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson moves out of range as Baskov strikes.
Baskov throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a hook to the body

and Baskov moves into the clinch.
Johnson looking for a takedown.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baskov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Johnson wants a takedown but no success here.
Baskov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Baskov pulls guard.
Baskov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Baskov keeps moving.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baskov trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikolay Baskov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Baskov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Baskov. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Baskov's guard.
Baskov wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Baskov trying to control the position.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Baskov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson stands up from Baskov's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Baskov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Baskov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Baskov gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baskov keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Baskov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Baskov's guard.
Johnson prevents Baskov from improving his position.
Baskov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Johnson.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Baskov looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.
Johnson distracts Baskov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Johnson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Baskov is keeping the position.
Johnson trying to control but Baskov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Baskov striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.

Baskov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Baskov keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Baskov keeps moving.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Thomas Johnson!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Thomas Johnson!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Thomas Johnson!

Thomas Johnson wins by unanimous decision!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Thomas Johnson made sure he mentioned Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire, along with how happy he was to win his fight.