PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maciej Zegan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zegan comes to the cage accompanied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4B99CQV3uY&feature=related. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zegan
vs
Johnson

180 cm
27
162 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

170 cm
30
165 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Sydney BEAST Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maciej Zegan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson avoids the body shot from Zegan.
Zegan scores with a body shot.

Zegan rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Zegan.

Zegan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson blocks a leg kick.

Zegan rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zegan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Johnson misses with the head strike.

Zegan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zegan lands a two punch combo.
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!
Zegan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zegan tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zegan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zegan lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zegan instigates a clinch.
Zegan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zegan just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.

Zegan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zegan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zegan 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.
Zegan throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Maciej Zegan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Zegan moves into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zegan.
Zegan's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zegan.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Johnson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zegan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zegan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zegan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Zegan leaning his opponent against the cage.
Zegan lands a damaging elbow.
Zegan misses with a punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson tries for a takedown but Zegan manages to get underhooks.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zegan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zegan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zegan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Johnson tries a body shot but Zegan blocks it.
Zegan controlling the action here for a moment.
Zegan stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.
Zegan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.

Zegan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zegan tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Zegan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zegan lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zegan looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Zegan tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zegan tried to score with a low kick but Johnson checks it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zegan.
Zegan tries a head kick but it misses.
Zegan swings widly with a right hand

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zegan won't be happy with that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
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!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Zegan defending against the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zegan tries to improve position but can't.
Johnson cracks Zegan with a big elbow.
Johnson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maciej Zegan dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zegan tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Maciej Zegan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Zegan closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson looking for a takedown.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Zegan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zegan effectively controlling the action here.
Zegan tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Zegan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zegan moves to clinch but Johnson breaks away
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Zegan is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Zegan feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Zegan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zegan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zegan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zegan moves into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Johnson.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zegan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zegan tries to clinch but Johnson moves away

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zegan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zegan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zegan wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson won't allow Zegan to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zegan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zegan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Zegan blocks nicely.
Zegan keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson won't allow Zegan to get back to his feet.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.
Johnson stays in close to Zegan's body and controls the position.
Zegan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zegan tries to get out of the position.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Zegan has wrist control.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson is in close to Zegan's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zegan wants to sweep but no luck.
Zegan keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Zegan trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Zegan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Zegan misses with a head kick.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Zegan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zegan scores with a body shot.
Zegan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zegan tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Maciej Zegan is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zegan throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.

Zegan clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Zegan manages to get underhooks.
Zegan tries to circle away but Johnson has him pinned against the cage.

Zegan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zegan connects with a high kick.
Johnson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zegan defends well and Johnson ends up having to push Zegan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Maciej Zegan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Johnson.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
Zegan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zegan displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Zegan's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zegan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zegan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zegan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Johnson wants to stall.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Zegan digs a right hand into Johnson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnson's gas tank.
Zegan digs a right hand into Johnson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnson's gas tank.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zegan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Zegan controls his hands.
Zegan tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.
Zegan scores with a shoulder strike.
Zegan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Zegan breaks the clinch.
Zegan throws a push kick but Johnson slaps the foot to one side.
Zegan connects with a solid leg kick.
Zegan tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Maciej Zegan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zegan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zegan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zegan avoids it really well and circles away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Johnson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zegan - the referee stops the clock and Johnson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zegan. Johnson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zegan throws out a powerful jab.
Zegan doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Zegan misses with a combination

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zegan working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson stops Zegan from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maciej Zegan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zegan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maciej Zegan!
Our winner, Maciej Zegan, 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.