PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balrog Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Sobieski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights . The crowd seem to be enjoying Sobieski's choice of entrance music: Kto Cię Obroni Polsko. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Sobieski

192 cm
35
219 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

188 cm
28
220 lbs
22 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

DJs Locker

DJs Locker
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Balrog Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Sobieski!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Sobieski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson has Sobieski pulled in close to control his posture.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Sobieski tries to pass.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Sobieski from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sobieski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sobieski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobieski throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieski trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sobieski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sobieski is one step ahead there.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Sobieski tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobieski trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Sobieski being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson throws the left hand but Sobieski avoids the punch easily.
Sobieski tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson misses with a jab to the body

and Sobieski decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
Sobieski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson is controlling Sobieski's posture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobieski wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Sobieski looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Sobieski from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Jan Sobieski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sobieski throws a head kick that misses
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sobieski fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sobieski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Sobieski dips to his left and cracks Johnson with an uppercut!
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sobieski moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Sobieski fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Sobieski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
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!
Sobieski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sobieski throws a nice inside leg kick.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Sobieski's head but Sobieski sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson lands a leg kick that knocks Sobieski off balance momentarily.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Sobieski uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sobieski moves away from the strike by Johnson.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sobieski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Sobieski dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Johnson misses with the combination.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Sobieski blocks the body kick.
Sobieski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut

and Sobieski counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sobieski thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Johnson won't allow Sobieski to pass to mount.
Sobieski trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Sobieski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Johnson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jan Sobieski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sobieski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson trying to control but Sobieski postures up.
Sobieski with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnson controlling the position well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sobieski closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
Sobieski is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson controlling the position well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sobieski trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Sobieski seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski looks to land a strike but Johnson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Sobieski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sobieski trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Sobieski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sobieski postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Sobieski throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sobieski throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sobieski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Sobieski.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sobieski throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Johnson escapes and throws Sobieski's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Sobieski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson wants to land a leg kick but Sobieski is out of range.
Sobieski lands a slapping body shot.
Sobieski throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Sobieski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Sobieski from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jan Sobieski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Johnson throws a jab when Sobieski was well out of range.
Johnson throws a jab when Sobieski was well out of range.
Sobieski moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sobieski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sobieski takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Sobieski fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sobieski on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobieski fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a lazy head kick

and Sobieski counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sobieski thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Sobieski wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Sobieski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Sobieski wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sobieski.
Sobieski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Sobieski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sobieski.
Sobieski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Johnson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Sobieski in his half guard.
Johnson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sobieski.
Sobieski lands a couple of elbows.
Sobieski wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sobieski is one step ahead there.
Sobieski trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sobieski moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jab from Johnson.

Sobieski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Sobieski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sobieski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sobieski wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.
Sobieski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Sobieski has control of the leg.
Sobieski is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieski works his way into side control.
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Sobieski lands a few punches from side control.
Sobieski tries to advance to mount but can't.

Sobieski goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johnson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sobieski but great work by Johnson.
Sobieski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working away.
Sobieski is looking for a sweep.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sobieski keeps working.
Sobieski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slows the pace down.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Johnson wants to control but Sobieski is keeping him busy.
Sobieski is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Balrog Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Sobieski down.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sobieski on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sobieski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sobieski shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Balrog Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sobieski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Good work by Johnson as he checks the leg kick.
Johnson connects with an inside leg kick.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Sobieski moved out of range.
Sobieski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balrog Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Johnson scores with a decent looking hook.
Sobieski is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks.
Sobieski moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Johnson lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieski shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sobieski avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Sobieski slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws a leg kick

and Sobieski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Sobieski showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sobieski throws a big right hand that misses.
Sobieski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sobieski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Sobieski tries to pass.
Sobieski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jan Sobieski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sobieski throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sobieski moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson throws a jab when Sobieski was well out of range.
Sobieski lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sobieski was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Jan Sobieski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a low kick but Sobieski avoids it.
Sobieski dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage!
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sobieski.
Sobieski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson thows a leg kick but Sobieski checks it

and Sobieski counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sobieski sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sobieski trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Sobieski is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobieski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jan Sobieski wasn't active enough on the ground.
Johnson connects with the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobieski moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sobieski has time to react.
Sobieski scores with a head kick.
Sobieski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sobieski swings away with a leg kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sobieski throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jan Sobieski.
I think Sobieski 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Sobieski! Jan Sobieski retains his light heavyweight title!
Jan Sobieski decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.