PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Slam Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Gromov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Gromov's choice of entrance music: Limp Bizkit-My Way. Vitaliy Gromov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Gromov

188 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Slam Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaliy Gromov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good exchange - Gromov coming out on top.

It looks like Slam Johnson has been cut.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
A shot to the liver by Gromov. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Gromov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gromov.
Gromov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Gromov cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gromov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Gromov is out of range.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gromov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gromov misses with a few strikes there.
Gromov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Gromov.
Johnson throws a right hand that Gromov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gromov also avoids with ease.
Good exchange - Gromov coming out on top.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gromov circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Gromov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gromov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gromov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Johnson rather than just go for the knockout.
Gromov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johnson throws a right hand that Gromov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gromov also avoids with ease.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gromov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Johnson eats them both and turns towards Gromov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gromov.
Gromov lands with a shot to the body.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Gromov avoids it well.
Gromov throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Gromov lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gromov jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gromov!

Slam Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Gromov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gromov connects with a nice looking jab.
Gromov lands a slapping body shot.
Gromov misses with a series of wild punches.
Gromov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gromov lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
A left lands for Gromov.
Gromov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gromov duly obliges.

Slam Johnson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Johnson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gromov counters with a left to the body.
Gromov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gromov lands a slapping body shot.
Gromov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gromov lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Gromov scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Gromov avoids them all with ease.
Gromov digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gromov throws out a powerful jab.
Gromov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gromov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gromov scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Gromov counters by clinching up.
A right hook to the body lands for Gromov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gromov manages to break the clinch.
Gromov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gromov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gromov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
Gromov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Johnson had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gromov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gromov throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gromov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gromov lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A left and a right from Gromov both land. Nice combination.
Johnson misses with the combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gromov lands a slapping body shot.
Nice shot lands for Gromov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Gromov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Slam Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gromov counters with a straight right hand.
Gromov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gromov connects with the punch.
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gromov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gromov digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Vitaliy Gromov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gromov dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Gromov throws a shot to the body.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Gromov is just out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gromov!
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!
Gromov misses with a few strikes there.
Gromov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gromov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gromov digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Gromov connects with the punch.
A left lands for Gromov.
Gromov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gromov connects with a body shot.
Gromov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gromov lands a nice looking body shot.
Gromov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gromov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gromov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Slam Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gromov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gromov punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
Gromov lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gromov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnson momentarily.
Gromov just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson misses with a combination
and Gromov counters with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gromov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Johnson under the eye.
Gromov lands a slapping body shot.
Gromov lands the left hand.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Gromov avoids them all with ease.
Johnson throws a right hand that Gromov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gromov also avoids with ease.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gromov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gromov avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Gromov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gromov lands the left hand.
Vitaliy Gromov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Gromov avoids nicely.
Gromov digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Gromov scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gromov lands a nice shot to the body.
Gromov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Gromov digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Gromov lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Gromov stalks Johnson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Johnson's face. Johnson staggers backwards, shaken.
Gromov takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gromov manages to avoid it.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gromov was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Gromov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gromov is working the combinations to good effect here.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Gromov avoids nicely.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gromov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gromov lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Good standup being displayed there by Gromov as he connects with a hook.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gromov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gromov cracks Johnson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Johnson throws a jab when Gromov was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Gromov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Slam Johnson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gromov counters with a one-two to the body.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gromov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gromov just misses with a punch to the body.
Gromov digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Gromov lands with a cross.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Gromov counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gromov counters with a nice body shot.
Gromov throws a combination. Johnson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Gromov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gromov lands with a shot to the body.
Gromov lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gromov lands with a right hand.
Gromov scores with a shot to the body.
Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson tests Gromov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gromov scores with a one two! Johnson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Johnson slips a jab from Gromov.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gromov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gromov throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Gromov thuds a left hand into Johnson's body.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Gromov.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Slam Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gromov.
Gromov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Johnson throws a right hand that Gromov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gromov also avoids with ease.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Gromov lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gromov cracks Johnson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gromov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Gromov lands with a good body shot.
Gromov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gromov lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gromov throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gromov works over Johnson's head and body with a nice combination.
Gromov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Johnson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gromov slips a straight right by Johnson.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Gromov avoids it well.
Gromov lands with a shot to the body.
Gromov misses with a wild combination.
Gromov cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson throws a right hand that Gromov ducks under and follows up with a left that Gromov also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gromov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johnson in his tracks.
Gromov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gromov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Gromov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gromov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Gromov avoids it well.
Gromov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gromov.
Gromov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitaliy Gromov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gromov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitaliy Gromov!
Vitaliy Gromov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.