PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eduard Syroviy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Voodoo People. Syroviy has chosen Три Буквы as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Eduard Syroviy was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Johnson
vs
Syroviy

202 cm
39
250 lbs
31 - 26 - 1

190 cm
28
260 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 26 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eduard Syroviy!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson slips a jab from Syroviy.
Johnson checks a low kick from Syroviy.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Syroviy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Syroviy swings widly with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Syroviy.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Syroviy counters with a straight right hand.
Syroviy tries to land a leg kick but Johnson saw it coming and moves away.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Syroviy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson checks a low kick from Syroviy.
Syroviy lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Thomas Johnson has been cut.
Eduard Syroviy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An inside leg kick from Syroviy misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Syroviy misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
A punch combination from Syroviy misses.
Johnson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Syroviy scores with a head kick.
A combination from Syroviy does no damage.
Johnson tries to clinch
and Syroviy counters with an outside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Syroviy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Syroviy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Syroviy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Syroviy looking to control.
We've been hearing that Johnson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Syroviy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Syroviy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Syroviy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Thomas Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Syroviy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Eduard Syroviy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Syroviy misses with a leg kick.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Syroviy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Syroviy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Syroviy connects with a single shot there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Syroviy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Syroviy, as that shot connected.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Syroviy enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Syroviy manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Syroviy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Syroviy pulls Johnson in close to his closed guard and prevents Johnson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Syroviy trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Syroviy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Syroviy wants to get back to his feet but Johnson passes into half guard.
Syroviy is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Syroviy wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Syroviy defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eduard Syroviy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Johnson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Syroviy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Syroviy circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Syroviy swivels and escapes.
Syroviy blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Syroviy circles away.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Syroviy pinned against the cage. Syroviy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Syroviy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Syroviy.
Syroviy lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Syroviy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Syroviy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thomas Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Syroviy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Syroviy connects with a solid leg kick.
Syroviy thumps Johnson with a low kick.
Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Syroviy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Syroviy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Syroviy throws a lazy head kick
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson dives in and grabs Syroviy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Syroviy pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Syroviy lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Syroviy misses the body punch
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Johnson.

Syroviy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Syroviy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Syroviy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Johnson.
Syroviy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Syroviy tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Syroviy back against the cage.
Syroviy misses with a punch to the body.

Syroviy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Syroviy tried to score with a low kick but Johnson checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Syroviy circles away.
Syroviy 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.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Syroviy lands a nice shot to the body.
Syroviy tried to score with a low kick but Johnson checks it.
Syroviy scoring well with a low kick there.
Eduard Syroviy seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Syroviy's guard.
Johnson won't allow Syroviy to sweep him here.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Syroviy is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Syroviy's guard.
Johnson won't allow Syroviy to sweep him here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Syroviy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Syroviy is retaining full guard.
Syroviy trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Syroviy is controlling Johnson's posture.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Syroviy avoids the head kick by Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eduard Syroviy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thomas Johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Syroviy's shoulder, as Syroviy tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
A good leg kick by Syroviy.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Syroviy keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Syroviy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Syroviy is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Johnson rather than just go for the knockout.
Syroviy lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson blocks a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Syroviy.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Syroviy attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Syroviy misses with a body shot.
Syroviy misses the shot to the body.
Syroviy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Syroviy.
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice takedown defense from Syroviy. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Syroviy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Syroviy moves into the clinch.
Syroviy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Syroviy.

Syroviy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Syroviy was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
The fighters circle momentarily. Syroviy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Syroviy connects with a solid leg kick.
Syroviy throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Syroviy.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Syroviy misses with a left hand
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Syroviy can pounce on him.
A head kick misses from Syroviy.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Syroviy blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Syroviy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Syroviy misses with a body shot.
Syroviy misses with an uppercut

and Johnson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Syroviy's guard.
Syroviy controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Syroviy wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Johnson trying to control but Syroviy is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Syroviy holds on and takes a little breather.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Syroviy trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Eduard Syroviy was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Syroviy throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Thomas Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson wants to clinch up but Syroviy keeps it at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Syroviy scores with a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eduard Syroviy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Syroviy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eduard Syroviy!
After winning the bout, Eduard Syroviy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.