PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Zagorno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. Gabriel Zagorno has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Zagorno

170 cm
27
144 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

165 cm
26
140 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
$50

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Just Fight (Shirt 6$ Shorts 8$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriel Zagorno!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zagorno lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zagorno.
Zagorno looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Zagorno moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Johnson tries to land a leg kick but Zagorno saw it coming and moves away.
Johnson misses with a hook. Zagorno ducked under it nicely.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Zagorno misses with a body shot.
Zagorno staying out of range there.
Zagorno uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.
Zagorno avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Zagorno moved out of range nicely.
Zagorno shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A big left from Zagorno misses.
CJ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zagorno throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Zagorno throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Zagorno throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Zagorno.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zagorno taking a breather.
Zagorno lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zagorno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zagorno stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.
Zagorno misses with a punch to the body.
Zagorno avoids a wild elbow strike from Johnson.
Zagorno is stalling here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Johnson.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Zagorno has him pressed against the cage.
Zagorno is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
CJ Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zagorno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Zagorno checks it.
Zagorno shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson gets through Zagorno's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Zagorno tries to tie him up.
Zagorno wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Johnson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zagorno blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zagorno struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagorno drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
CJ Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Zagorno.
Johnson working aggressively here.
A nice left hand lands by Johnson.
Johnson trying to control the position but instead, Zagorno has worked for underhooks and has pushed Johnson into the cage.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zagorno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Zagorno.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Johnson.
Zagorno blocks a body shot from Johnson.

Zagorno lands a takedown into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Johnson holds on and takes a little breather.
Zagorno postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Zagorno throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Johnson pulls Zagorno in close to prevent any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zagorno's guard.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Zagorno had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Johnson defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zagorno keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Zagorno won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Zagorno sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson throws a hook but Zagorno blocks it.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zagorno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Zagorno cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Zagorno is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnson throws a right hand that Zagorno ducks under and follows up with a left that Zagorno also avoids with ease.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zagorno is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Johnson rather than just go for the knockout.
Zagorno shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zagorno's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zagorno's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zagorno scrambles back to his feet.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Zagorno moved out of range nicely.
Johnson throws a body punch but Zagorno moves out of range.
Zagorno throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Zagorno misses with a double jab.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zagorno throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zagorno has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zagorno misses the jab.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zagorno ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zagorno lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zagorno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Zagorno circles away.
Zagorno scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zagorno.
Zagorno keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zagorno fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Johnson checks it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by Zagorno.
Johnson misses with a body punch
and Zagorno counters with a lovely straight right hand!
CJ Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Zagorno slips a straight right by Johnson.

Johnson forces Zagorno back against the cage and clinches.
Zagorno keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zagorno is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Johnson has Zagorno pressed against the cage, preventing Zagorno from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Zagorno leaning against his opponent.
Zagorno blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zagorno is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Zagorno into the cage.
Zagorno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Zagorno prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Zagorno misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson gets through Zagorno's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Zagorno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson jabs Zagorno to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zagorno fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Johnson on the side of the head.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Zagorno's head back.
Zagorno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Zagorno.
Zagorno swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zagorno moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zagorno looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Zagorno throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson throws a hook but Zagorno blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Zagorno uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zagorno will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson moves out of range as Zagorno strikes.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
A jab from Zagorno does it's job there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Zagorno.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson cracks Zagorno with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Zagorno keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zagorno stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson defending well as Zagorno loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Zagorno.
Zagorno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zagorno punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
Zagorno fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zagorno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Zagorno slips the punch.
Zagorno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Zagorno.
A big left from Zagorno misses.
Zagorno fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Zagorno is just out of range.
Zagorno blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zagorno moves out of range of the strikes.
Zagorno misses with an uppercut.
Johnson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Zagorno blocks the leg kick.
Zagorno scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zagorno is defended easily by Johnson.
A slow jab from Zagorno misses its intended target.
Johnson blocks a jab.
Johnson takes a swing at Zagorno's ribcage but misses.
Johnson tests Zagorno's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Johnson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zagorno.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zagorno.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zagorno throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Zagorno.
Johnson works Zagorno's body with a nice hook.
Johnson stalks Zagorno and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zagorno's face. Zagorno staggers backwards, shaken.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Zagorno's head but Zagorno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zagorno's jab looks to have found its range, popping Johnson under the eye.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson throws a jab when Zagorno was well out of range.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zagorno circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Zagorno moves out of range easily.
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Zagorno's head.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zagorno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Zagorno sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Zagorno avoids it well.
Zagorno loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zagorno.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zagorno chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.
Johnson throws a body punch but Zagorno moves out of range.
Zagorno paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zagorno waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Zagorno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zagorno's head backwards.
Zagorno throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Zagorno manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Zagorno from controlling successfully.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson controlling Zagorno's posture.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zagorno manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Zagorno gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
CJ Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson pulls Zagorno in close to prevent any damage.
Gabriel Zagorno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zagorno with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gabriel Zagorno.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CJ Johnson!
A relieved looking CJ Johnson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.