PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stem Cell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Cell

170 cm
31
144 lbs
25 - 11 - 0

170 cm
27
143 lbs
21 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Backyard Fighting

Backyard Fighting
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stem Cell!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws a leg kick
and Cell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've been hearing reports that Johnson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Cell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Johnson throws a body punch but Cell moves out of range.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cell moves away.
Cell has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Johnson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Cell avoids them all with ease.
Johnson slips a straight right by Cell.
Cell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Cell. Cell maintains the clinch.
Cell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cell takes a shot to the head.
Cell tries to work over Johnson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cell takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Johnson pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Cell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Cell tries to tie him up.
Cell working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Johnson tries to work over Cell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Cell gets through Johnson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Cell controls the action.
Cell trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Cell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson is pushing Cell up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Cell on the inside.
A short left from Cell.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Cell controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cell.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cell misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cell tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Cell back against the cage.
Cell content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Cell prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Cell holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Cell.
Cell stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Nice cross by Cell.
Cell wants to clinch but Johnson slips to the side
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
Cell lands a nice looking body shot.
Cell misses with the combination.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cell was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Cell scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Cell uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Cell misses with a low kick as Johnson jumps back.
Cell throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice cross by Cell.
Cell throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Cell tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Cell, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Cell against the cage but Cell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Cell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Cell takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cell moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cell moves away.
Cell throws a sloppy head kick
and Johnson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Cell's knee momentarily.
Cell misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for CJ Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cell blocks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cell throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Cell sprawls well.
Cell misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson throws out a leg kick but Cell moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cell.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Cell moves into the clinch successfully.
Johnson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Cell.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Cell avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson stalling in the clinch but Cell improves position.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cell effectively controlling the action here.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Cell.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cell.
A nice left hand lands by Cell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Cell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson gets through Cell's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cell leaning his opponent against the cage.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Cell is controlling him.
Cell dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Johnson tries to work over Cell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cell lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.
Johnson cracks Cell with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cell is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnson.
Cell moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Cell misses with a body kick.
A good leg kick by Cell.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson is looking to wear down Cell with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cell lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cell misses with a low kick.
Cell takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cell finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
Cell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cell's waist but Cell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Cell scores with a nice strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Cell misses.
Johnson misses with a hook. Cell ducked under it nicely.
Cell tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Cell.
Johnson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Johnson throws a hook but Cell blocks it.
Johnson cracks Cell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cell slips under a jab.
Cell tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Cell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Johnson misses with a leg kick.
Johnson lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cell can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Cell fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cell scoring well with a low kick there.
Cell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cell manages to avoid it.
Cell tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Cell moves out of range of the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Cell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cell lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cell blocks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stem Cell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cell will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cell is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Cell wants to land a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cell under the eye.
Cell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Cell.
Cell scores with a sloppy right hand. Johnson should have avoided that one.
Cell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson shoots in but Cell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A combination from Cell does no damage.
Cell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson swings for the body but Cell moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Johnson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cell - the referee stops the clock and Johnson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cell. Johnson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cell's calf.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
Johnson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson swings for the body but Cell moves out of range.
Cell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Cell plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Johnson lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Cell working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson controlling Cell's posture.
Johnson is trying to keep Cell in close.
Cell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cell trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cell sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stem Cell was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cell.
Cell doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Cell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cell at a distance.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Johnson tries a low kick but Cell avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Cell is out of range.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Cell.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cell checks a leg kick.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cell manages to avoid it.
Cell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
Cell connects with a high kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cell tries to score with a low kick but Johnson moves his leg out of the way.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cell fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cell misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
Cell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Johnson takes a swing at Cell's ribcage but misses.
Johnson lands a head shot.
Cell with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Cell sees coming a mile off.
Stem Cell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cell.
Cell takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cell scores with a spinning back kick!
Cell moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Cell misses with a wild body shot.
Cell scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cell stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.

Cell shoots in and bounces Johnson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Cell postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cell showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stem Cell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cell turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A big left from Cell misses.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cell on the side of the head.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cell.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cell tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson pushing down on Cell's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cell wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
Cell keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stem Cell has got the better of the ground game so far.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Cell is trying to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
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 CJ Johnson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Cell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cell is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Cell circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Cell is out of range.
Cell connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cell.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cell.
Cell is looking to score with low kicks.
Cell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cell with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cell takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Cell.
Cell avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Cell moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cell throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson blocks the body kick.
Nice cross by Cell.
Cell connects with a solid leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Cell or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson which made him look bad.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Johnson.
Cell throws a low kick, looking for Johnson's leg but Johnson calmly moves out of range.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cell manages to avoid it.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Cell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Cell's guard.
Cell looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Cell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
CJ Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
You can see the frustration on Cell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Cell controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Johnson tries for a kimura but Cell is defending well.
Cell can't do much from the bottom here.
Johnson is trying to move to mount but Cell reverses beautifully and ends up in Johnson's guard.
Cell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stem Cell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cell trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Stem Cell.
Cell checks a low kick from Johnson.
Cell shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cell can pounce on him.
Cell avoids the head kick by Johnson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson throws a jab when Cell was well out of range.
Cell connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnson momentarily.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cell counters with a left to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Stem Cell.
Well Cell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 46:50

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