PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Shirasu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shirasu
vs
Johnson

190 cm
28
225 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
26
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akihiro Shirasu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Craig Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shirasu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Shirasu shakes it off.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Shirasu's body.
Johnson tries a low kick but Shirasu avoids it.
Shirasu ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Shirasu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Shirasu's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shirasu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shirasu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shirasu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson jabs at Shirasu's body.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Shirasu moved away.

Johnson tries to sprawl but Shirasu drives through with a takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Shirasu controlling the pace.
Shirasu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shirasu slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirasu is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson wants to control but Shirasu passes into side.
Shirasu advances nicely into full mount.
Shirasu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirasu lands a nice shot to the head.

It looks like Craig Johnson has been cut.
Shirasu landing strikes from the mount and Johnson is in trouble!
A nice elbow there by Shirasu.
Shirasu landing strikes from the mount.
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!
Shirasu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Shirasu is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Johnson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Shirasu wants to finish this one by submission but Johnson is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Shirasu.
Shirasu controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Shirasu.

That has opened up Craig Johnson's cut even more.
Shirasu with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Shirasu has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Shirasu looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akihiro Shirasu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Craig Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Akihiro Shirasu has been cut.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shirasu moves away.
Johnson cracks Shirasu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Shirasu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shirasu is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shirasu slips nicely into half guard.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shirasu scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shirasu is looking for a kimura here.
Shirasu stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirasu slows the pace down in half guard.
Shirasu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard but Shirasu has mounted him!
Shirasu lands a big elbow.
Johnson tries to buck Shirasu off but Shirasu takes his back!
I would not like to be Johnson right now.
Johnson just trying to survive but Shirasu is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to break free.
I would not like to be Johnson right now.

Johnson won't enjoy being in this position. Shirasu looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Johnson is tapping - it's over boys! Shirasu picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Akihiro Shirasu!
Our winner, Akihiro Shirasu, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.