PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Birigiz Ignatiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. This should be fireworks!

Johnson
vs
Ignatiev

170 cm
29
144 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

160 cm
26
145 lbs
15 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Zentrope Fighting Universe
$300

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 22 - 11 - 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 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Birigiz Ignatiev!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ignatiev.
Ignatiev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ignatiev as he avoids it easily.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Ignatiev throws an off balance right hand

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ignatiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Ignatiev's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson is controlling the pace.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ignatiev tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ignatiev's head.
Johnson wants to control but Ignatiev is keeping him busy.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ignatiev trying to control but Johnson postures up.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ignatiev's head.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Johnson moves into full mount! Ignatiev won't be happy about that!
Johnson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Johnson looking to finish with strikes here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson unloads with some shots from mount but Ignatiev bucks and avoids them well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ignatiev regains half guard.
Ignatiev tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson controlling the action here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ignatiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ignatiev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson works his way into side control.
Ignatiev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Johnson off and has taken his back!
Ignatiev controlling from the back.
Johnson looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Ignatiev slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Johnson tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
Ignatiev keeps control of the position easily here as Johnson tries to buck him off.
Let's hope that Ignatiev has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ignatiev wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ignatiev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Ignatiev moved out of range.
Johnson blocks a low kick nicely.
Ignatiev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Ignatiev is out of range.
Ignatiev lands a right hook to the body.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Ignatiev avoids it well.
Ignatiev throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ignatiev misses with a head kick.
Ignatiev scores with a spinning back kick!
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Ignatiev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson cracks Ignatiev with a good jab.
Ignatiev pushes Johnson away with a front kick.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ignatiev manages to avoid it.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ignatiev misses the shot to the body.
Ignatiev slips a jab from Johnson.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ignatiev.
A head kick misses from Ignatiev.
An inside leg kick lands from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev throws a leg kick but Johnson checks it.
Ignatiev throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Ignatiev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a leg kick. Ignatiev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Birigiz Ignatiev seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ignatiev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ignatiev defending against the ground and pound.
Ignatiev is trying to control Johnson's posture but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ignatiev regains half guard.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Johnson is keen to just control but Ignatiev is a slippery customer.
Ignatiev wants to get back to full guard.
Ignatiev is not content to let Johnson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots but Ignatiev is blocking nicely.
Ignatiev trying to control from the bottom.
Ignatiev controlling the position for now.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Ignatiev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ignatiev's head.
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 with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ignatiev is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ignatiev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Ignatiev is defending the position.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ignatiev doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Ignatiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
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 CJ Johnson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson motions for Ignatiev to come forward. Johnson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson takes a swing at Ignatiev's ribcage but misses.
Ignatiev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ignatiev looks for the body kick but Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ignatiev.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ignatiev throws out a leg kick but Johnson moves out of range and Ignatiev only half commits.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Ignatiev moves away and avoids it.
Ignatiev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ignatiev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatiev misses the shot to the body.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ignatiev gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
CJ Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson trying to control but Ignatiev is working from the bottom.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson wants to control from the top but Ignatiev keeps moving.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Ignatiev is keeping the position.
Johnson stands up over Ignatiev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson trying to control but Ignatiev is working from the bottom.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Ignatiev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ignatiev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ignatiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Birigiz Ignatiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev is controlling Johnson's posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ignatiev ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Ignatiev throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Ignatiev.
Ignatiev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Johnson rather than just go for the knockout.
Johnson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A jab lands there for Johnson.

Ignatiev is rocked!
Ignatiev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ignatiev wants it to stay on the feet.
Ignatiev is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson digs a good hook to Ignatiev's body.
Birigiz Ignatiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ignatiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ignatiev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ignatiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ignatiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Ignatiev keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
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 lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
CJ Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CJ Johnson!
A victorious CJ Johnson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.